Lindsay Wallace, Secretary of Corrections
Criminal Justice – UA Little Rock
Juris Doctorate – UALR William H. Bowen School of Law
I chose to finish my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at UALR because I knew I would receive a quality education and still be close to home. UALR was affordable and made commuting very manageable for me. There were many alternative classes available, such as classes offered on weekends or online. These non-traditional classes made it possible to complete my degree plan while still helping my parents at home. In addition, there are so many scholarship opportunities that make things more affordable, especially for those students seeking a career in a specific field. For example, the Correctional Leadership Challenge Endowed Scholarship, which provides scholarship opportunities for students majoring in Criminal Justice. UALR provides wonderful opportunities for those students seeking to advance their careers in areas such as corrections, where my staff get to change the lives of offenders while promoting public safety every day.
The William H. Bowen School of Law was the ideal school for me to pursue and finish my Juris Doctorate because of the affordability, ability to commute, and to participate in part-time classes. While I was unsure initially what sector of government I wanted to venture into, I knew a path leading to public service was important to me. The proximity to our State Capitol is a huge benefit to anyone interested in learning more about state government, the legislature, and many other key components of public service. Internship opportunities are better now than they have ever been for law students and the legal field, particularly in state government, is very open to new attorneys.
During my time at the School of Criminal Justice and Bowen, I made connections that have continued to serve me as my role in state government has evolved. I developed strong relationships with my professors and forged relationships with many key figures in state government that would have been unavailable to me had I chosen a different school. On campus interview opportunities as a law student can connect students with key players of agencies across the state. Once I entered the workforce, I then attended those interviews as a representative of a state agency. I am so thankful to have affordable high quality educational institutions conveniently located near the capitol city. The opportunities are endless!