One of the best ways to learn about all that TU Law can offer you is to speak directly with a current student. Our student ambassadors are eager to answer your questions – about law school, their experience at TU Law and what it’s like to live here in Tulsa. They come from various parts of the country and have a variety of backgrounds and interests in law. Feel free to get in touch with them at law-ambassadors@utulsa.edu.
Shawnee Arrington, 3L
Hometown: Bonham, Texas
Undergraduate institution: University of North Texas
Law school activities: I am a Student Ambassador, an Executive Director on the Public Interest Board, and am currently a student in the Terry West Civil Legal Clinic.
Professional experience: I worked as a summer intern at a family law and criminal defense firm in Pryor Oklahoma. Additionally, I am extending my summer internship at Beloved Adoption Law in Tulsa.
Why I chose TU Law: I chose TU Law because I wanted to go to a law school where I felt welcomed and wanted. All of the professors, staff, and students at TU Law are encouraging and kind. I knew that I would be able to receive an outstanding legal education while being in an environment that supported me in every aspect of my law school journey. As soon as I secured my seat at TU Law, I knew that I made the right decision and am even more confident in my decision every day.
Morgan Hinds, 3L
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Undergraduate institution: Stephen F. Austin State University
Undergraduate program: BA in English and minor in Public Administration
Law school activities: Tulsa Law Review, Student Ambassador, SBA 2L delegate, TU Exercise Club, Project 850 Volunteer, Mental Health Day Volunteer
Professional Experience (internships or externships/commutation project/etc): Judicial Intern at Tulsa County, LaCourse Law, Law Clerk, Tulsa County District Attorneys Office intern, Christian Legal Society Fellow
Why I chose TU Law: My tour of TU Law showed me how supportive, encouraging, and personal the TU Law community is, which has made being a student ambassador even more rewarding. When deciding on where to go to law school, I recognized that TU Law had an honorable reputation nationwide and a student and alumni group, where numerous opportunities would be within my reach; belief has proved true! Further, I knew I wanted a place where I would know and be known by people. Meeting professors, faculty, and students portrayed to me that TU Law is the place where brilliant people would invest and share their time with me. I knew I wouldn’t be regarded as a number, or student, but as a whole person.
Dalisha Kirk, 2L
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Undergraduate institution: The University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Undergraduate program: I majored in sociology with a concentration in criminology. I minored in psychology.
Law school activities: I’m a Student Ambassador and a member of OutLaws, the Black Law Student Association, and the Immigration Law Society.
Professional Experience (internships or externships/commutation project/etc): I’ve worked at The Demand Project as a summer extern.
Why I chose TU Law: I chose TU Law because everyone wants to see you succeed. The environment is filled with friendly faces and support, and there will always be someone to encourage you when you need it.
Victoria Terry, 2L
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Undergraduate institution: Baylor University
Undergraduate program: Spanish Language and Literature
Law school activities: Student Ambassador and Student Bar Association E-Board Member
Professional Experience (internships or externships/commutation project/etc): Spent the summer before 2L year interning for a nonprofit that represents mothers in North Tulsa
Why I chose TU Law: When applying to law schools, I heavily considered location, as giving back to my community was always an interest of mine, but I also remember meeting a friendly TU Law representative from a law school fair at my undergraduate university and how they made me feel welcome to apply. TU was the best fit for me not only because Tulsa is a place I call home, but because no other law school made me feel so welcome to become a law student.
McKenna Lewis, 2L
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Undergraduate institution: The University of Tulsa
Undergraduate program: Biochemistry; Minor in Chemistry
Law school activities: Social Chair for Federalist Society; Vice President of Tech Law Society; Energy Law Journal.
Professional Experience (internships or externships/commutation project/etc): Summer Associate at Rhodes, Hieronymus, Jones, Tucker & Gable PLLC.
Why I chose TU Law: I chose The University of Tulsa College of Law because of its small, hometown atmosphere and its many opportunities. As an undergraduate, I had the chance to get to know my professors and they me. I felt like that made my educational experience more meaningful, and I wanted that same opportunity during law school. I also liked that the college of law has several students of various ages and backgrounds.
Cheyenne Barnard, 3L
Hometown: Moscow, Idaho
Undergraduate institution: Carroll College in Helena Montana
Undergraduate program: Business Administration
Law school activities: Energy Law Journal, Paw Law, PIB, SBA, Student Ambassador, Lexis Rep., REELs.
Professional Experience (internships or externships/commutation project/etc): Extern for Judge Cantrell, Summer Law Clerk, Graduate Assistant, Administrative Assistant at Washington State University.
Why I chose TU Law: I chose TU because of the high bar passage ratings, job placement ratings, and the wonderful community at TU law.
Nathan Miramontes, 2L
Hometown: Fulerton, California
Undergraduate institution: Vanguard University
Undergraduate program: Liberal Studies, Political Science Minor
Law school activities: Board of Advocates, Sports and Entertainment Law, LexisNexis Rep, SBA 2L Delegate
Professional Experience (internships or externships/commutation project/etc): United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
Why I chose TU Law: The family aspect, the ratio of staff to students, and the employment percentages for post grad.
Recently Graduated Ambassadors
Kristin Rodriguez, (JD ’22)
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate institution: University of Oklahoma
Undergraduate program: political science
Law school activities: Student Ambassador, Student Bar Association, Latino Law Students Association, Law and Medicine Society
Why I chose TU Law: The community here is incredible. The staff, faculty and other students at TU Law are some of the best people I have ever had the privilege to know. Every single person wants to help you succeed!
Elyssa Kohler, (JD ’22)
Hometown: Cheney, Kansas
Undergraduate institution: Kansas State University
Undergraduate programs: major in psychology, minors in leadership studies & conflict analysis and trauma studies
Law school activities: Immigration Law Society, Women’s Law Caucus, Latino Law Student’s Association, OutLaws
Professional experience: In summer 2020, I will be interning at the District Attorney’s Office.
Why I chose TU Law: I knew I wanted to attend law school in an environment that encouraged, supported and uplifted me to grow not only in the field of law but also as a person. Being able to see this environment, mixed with a rigorous and nationally ranked bar placement and job outcomes, left me no doubt TU Law was the place I needed to be.
Drew Mathews, (JD ’22)
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma, and San Diego, California
Undergraduate institution: University of Oklahoma
Undergraduate program: English
Law school activities: Public Interest Board, Board of Advocates
Why I chose TU Law: Tulsa is my home and I love this city! TU Law embodies what I love about this place: it’s a friendly, close-knit community that cares.
John Paul (JP) Ray, (JD ’21)
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Undergraduate institution: Central Christian College of Kansas
Law school activities: Student Bar Association, Black Law Student Association, Board of Advocates, American Inns of Court
Professional experience: I worked as a summer clerk for the Tulsa law firm Atkinson, Haskins, Nellis; as well as an intern for the United States Attorney’s Office and Project Commutation.
Why I chose TU Law: I decided to become a student at TU Law because of the school’s prestigious reputation. I wanted to receive an incredible legal education and graduate with the most opportunity to serve the members of my community.
Matthew Pool (JD ’20)
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Undergraduate institution: University of Missouri – Columbia
Undergraduate program: political science
Professional experience: I spent one-and-a-half years as a legal intern and two months as an extern at the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office.
Why I chose TU Law: I decided this was the place for me because of the school’s affordability, bar passage and job placement rates, and the wonderful staff and faculty.
Nolan Deming (JD ’20)
Hometown: Nokomis, Florida
Undergraduate institution: American University
Undergraduate program: political science
Law school activities: Student Ambassador, Energy Law Journal, Student Bar Association, Criminal Law Club
Professional experience: I have held internships with the Tulsa County District Attorney and the State Attorney’s Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit. My externships were with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and Needham & Associates. I also worked as a research assistant for Professor Luttrell.
Why I chose TU Law: I decided to enroll here because of TU Law’s generous financial aid and scholarships, high bar passage rate and the friendliness and personal touch of the Admission staff.
Lindsey Atchley (JD ’20)
Hometown: Russellville, Arkansas
Undergraduate institution: University of Central Arkansas
Undergraduate programs: major in psychology, minor in political science
Law school activities: Student Ambassador
Professional experience: I have spent almost two years at the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office in the SVU, Juvenile, and Misdemeanor division.
Why I chose TU Law: This law school is like a home away from home. After my first time visiting, having a tour and having an interview, I knew I wanted to choose TU Law. I was welcomed and felt at ease. Plus, this law school offers so many hands-on experiences and opportunities to help the community. It just felt right.