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The Juris Education Interview Team
Hananeel Morinville is the Student Body President of the Vanderbilt Student Government.
Student government encompasses a wide range of activities focused on advocacy, programming, policy development, and community engagement. During my time as Student Body President at Vanderbilt, our work included drafting and passing resolutions to improve campus life, coordinating initiatives that advanced economic inclusivity, and serving as a liaison between students and university administration. We organized events, led diversity and equity efforts, created resources like a regalia fund and airport shuttle for low-income students, and met regularly with campus leaders to push for institutional changes. Ultimately, our role was to represent the student voice and ensure that every student—especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds—felt seen, heard, and supported.
One of the biggest takeaways from participating in student government is learning how to lead with purpose and advocate effectively within institutional systems. My time in student government at Vanderbilt taught me how to navigate bureaucracy, build coalitions, and push for meaningful change—even when faced with resistance. I developed skills in public speaking, negotiation, crisis management, and policy writing, all while centering the needs of marginalized students. These are the same tools needed in real-world leadership roles, especially in public service and law. Beyond the professional skills, student government gave me the confidence to speak truth to power and the clarity to understand what kind of leader I want to be in the world.
The most challenging part of student government is carrying the weight of representing so many voices—especially when those voices have historically been ignored or silenced. I often felt the pressure to be everything for everyone, while also navigating institutional pushback when advocating for equity-centered change. Balancing urgent student needs with administrative timelines and constraints was emotionally and mentally taxing.
But the most rewarding part is exactly that responsibility: being trusted by your peers to fight for them, and seeing real impact come from your work. Whether it was expanding economic access, uplifting students of color, or making campus feel more like home for low-income and first-generation students, those moments of change—big or small—made it all worth it. There's nothing more fulfilling than helping people feel seen and supported in spaces where they once felt invisible.
Student government pushes you to become a confident speaker because you’re constantly called to advocate—whether it’s in front of administrators, board members, or students at a town hall. As Student Body President, I had to speak up in high-stakes meetings, deliver speeches at campus events, and respond to crises with clarity and poise. Over time, I learned how to communicate not just with confidence, but with intention—making sure my words reflected the needs and values of the communities I served. It’s one thing to speak well; it’s another to speak with purpose. Student government helped me do both.
Absolutely—aspiring law school applicants can benefit greatly from joining student government. It builds critical thinking, persuasive communication, leadership, and a deep understanding of how systems operate. In student government, you learn how to analyze policies, advocate for others, and navigate complex institutional dynamics—experiences that directly parallel legal work. It also shows a demonstrated commitment to service, problem-solving, and representing diverse interests—qualities that law schools value in applicants and future lawyers alike.
Yes, I know several former student government members who have successfully gone on to law school. The experience played a major role in shaping not just their applications but our sense of purpose. Student government teaches you how to advocate for communities, navigate bureaucracy, and think strategically. These are skills that translate directly to legal studies and public interest work. It also provides concrete examples of leadership, resilience, and impact that are powerful in personal statements and interviews.
If you're an aspiring law student and unsure about joining student government, I would say this: you don’t need to have it all figured out to get involved. Student government isn’t just for people who see themselves as “natural leaders” or who have prior experience. It’s a space where you learn by doing. If you're passionate about making change, amplifying underrepresented voices, or improving your community, then it’s absolutely the right fit. The experience will challenge you, but it will also stretch your thinking, build your confidence, and give you tangible skills that align closely with the work lawyers do. Even if you don’t stay involved for all four years, just stepping into the room can open doors you didn’t know existed.
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