The first cohort of Notre Dame undergraduates to concentrate their studies in civil and human rights at the Keough School will graduate this spring.
The six students, supplementary majors in global affairs, pursued the Klau Center-supported concentration that encouraged them to adopt a broad perspective embracing both domestic and international human rights issues. Designed to encourage an interdisciplinary approach that deepened their primary major, the focus gave our students an opportunity to engage with justice in a global and local historical, political, and human context.
Our 2022 graduates in civil and human rights are:
Margo Murphy
“Over my course of studies, I came to realize that civil and human rights truly pervade all fields. The protection of the rights of every human individual, or more notably the lack thereof, is a reflection of whether we believe the society we live in should be just, and how committed we are to making it so. Programs like this are evidence that there are people committed to seeing that meeting fundamental needs becomes the norm, rather than a privilege.”
Shea Smith
“I have had the opportunity to gain a richer understanding of the legal foundations of civil and human rights, the history of oppression of marginalized groups in the United States and beyond, and the necessity of incorporating diverse perspectives as we work to challenge legacies of inequality. This concentration has fundamentally altered my approach to my studies and has inspired me to pursue a career oriented toward building a just society that defends the dignity of all individuals.”
Destiny Herndon
“Participating in this concentration has presented me with new perspectives through which to view the world and its problems. The most important lesson that I have learned is that the first step in solving global issues is seeking out those who will be most affected by the outcome and asking them what outcome they hope to see. Working in the global community to promote civil and human rights means being a servant leader to those we hope to uplift.”
Cassidy Ferrell
"Concentrating in civil and human rights has allowed me to develop a holistic understanding of how policy and legislation work together with resistance efforts to liberate oppressed people. I was able to study a plethora of cultures, state practices, and policies that gave me a developed perspective on the need for humanity to be invested in human dignity for all. I was also able to take concurrent classes in the Africana Studies department, which I deeply enjoyed. I recommend CHR because it illuminates pathways for global transformation into a more inclusive and equitable world."
Nelisha Silva
"The Klau Center has guided my academic interests during my time at Notre Dame and enriched my understanding of public policy. My experiences with the Klau Center, and the civil and human rights concentration, during my time in undergrad have shaped my future career and academic path, and I am forever grateful."
Robert Caruso