3 IU McKinney Students Named to IUPUI Elite 50
03/18/2021
IU McKinney is proud to have three students named to the IUPUI Elite 50 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Molly Connor, Bria Kemp, and Taylor Pearson were selected for this prestigious honor.
Connor is originally from Columbus, Indiana. She came to IU McKinney after graduating from IU in Bloomington, where she studied public management and Spanish. She wanted to come to law school to give her an edge with her career plans. Connor wants to work in government relations and public affairs, with a focus on education policy. “I chose to go to law school because I knew I would expand my capacity to think critically and analytically, in a way that would help me move the needle on public policy and be a persuasive and thoughtful advocate,” she said. “And I feel that my McKinney experience has had that desired effect.”
Kemp is originally from Lansing, Michigan, and she graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She’s wanted to become a lawyer since she was a second-grader and watched the Cosby Show and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, shows with characters who are lawyers. “I wasn't sure if it could be my reality, but I worked most of my life to get to law school,” Kemp said. “I am very proud to be where I am today.” There are no attorneys in her family, she said, adding “I will be the first but not the last.” After completing law school, she plans to become licensed in Michigan and Indiana and begin her career in criminal law as a prosecutor before venturing into other areas of the law. “I want to gain as much legal knowledge as I can so that I am a true asset to my community,” Kemp said.”
Pearson is an Indianapolis native who graduated from Butler University, magna cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in criminology/psychology and Spanish. She will be the first lawyer in her family, and the first to complete graduate school. Pearson, a dual-degree student, began her juris doctor studies after a few semesters in the Master of Social Work program. “I decided to pursue a law degree to equip myself with the skills necessary to navigate the legal/political frameworks that shape social work practice.” Pearson, who currently works at IU Health, hopes to work in legislative advocacy/policy around the sociopolitical dimensions of public health.
The Elite 50 program honors graduate and professional students at IUPUI, and is modeled after the university’s Top 100 Outstanding Students honors program. The program’s purpose is to recognize and reward achievement outside the classroom among the graduate and professional student population. The Elite 50 represent the top one-half of 1 percent of the graduate and professional student body at IUPUI. Since awards for academic accomplishments already exist, the Elite 50 mainly focuses on achievements outside of the classroom.
