2022-23 class of KU Law Dean's Fellows to mentor first-year law students

LAWRENCE — Fifteen students from the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen to be Dean’s Fellows for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Dean’s Fellows are a group of second- and third-year law students selected to mentor first-year peers. Fellows offer academic support and guidance, serving as resources for students navigating the transition to law school. Fellows are selected through an application and interview process that considers their academic performance, campus and community involvement, and rapport with classmates.

“We are so excited to usher in a new group of Dean’s Fellows for the 2022-23 academic year. As Dean’s Fellows, we are here to guide 1Ls through the social and academic rigors presented in the first year of law school,” said Sarah Schmitz, co-head Dean’s Fellow. “This group of Dean’s Fellows exemplifies what it means to be selfless leaders, humble mentors and genuine friends within Green Hall.”

The 2022-23 Dean’s Fellows are listed below.

Jadyn Atteberry is a third-year law student from Olathe. She attended Kansas State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in statistics and data science. In addition to the Dean’s Fellows, Atteberry is a staff editor for Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and a member of Women in Law.

Jacob Barefield is a third-year law student from Augusta, Georgia. He attended Georgia Southern University, where he studied political science. He has experience as a law clerk in Georgia and Texas. Outside of Dean’s Fellows, he is also in Moot Court, the International Law Society and the Jewish Law Society.

Ellie Beck is a second-year law student from Olathe. They attended KU, where they studied Spanish as well as women, gender & sexuality studies. Beck is a staff editor on the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy. In their first year, they were a board member for OutLAWS & Allies and served as the sergeant-at-arms for the American Civil Liberties Union of KU.

Sam Crowley is a second-year law student from Hays. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and minored in national security studies and criminal justice as a member of the University Honors Program. Outside of Dean’s Fellows, he is a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy, a student attorney in the Project for Innocence and the treasurer for the KU Law Military and Veterans Society.

Kat Girod is a third-year law student from Overland Park. Before law school, she worked for Olathe Public Schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a certificate in the study and practice of leadership at the University of Colorado. At KU Law, she participates in Moot Court and the Business and Tax Law Society as well as Dean’s Fellows. 

Kaitlin Hamilton is a second-year law student from Pittsburg. She attended KU, where she studied political science and business. In addition to Dean’s Fellows, she is a student intern for the Paul E. Wilson Project for Innocence and the Post-Conviction Remedies and a member of Women in Law. She is also a law clerk outside of school.

Jackie Jeschke is a second-year law student from Lawrence. Before law school, she attended KU and studied biology. She went on to receive a master’s degree in health services administration from KU Medical Center. Jeschke is a Dean’s Fellow, a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and a member of Women in Law. Outside of school, Jeschke serves as a board member for the Kansas Association of Healthcare Executives.

Jade Kearney is a second-year law student from Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from KU. She is a member of the Shook, Hardy and Bacon Advocacy Moot Court, Black Law Students Association and Dean’s Fellows.

Hunter Kruse is a third-year law student from Overland Park. For his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of Kansas and studied accounting. At KU Law, he is a member of the Dean’s Fellows, First Generation Professionals and Sports Law Society. He enjoys playing golf, basketball and exercising in his free time.

Brandon Lock is a third-year law student from Dallas. Lock earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy and political science from Southern Methodist University. In addition to being a Dean’s Fellow, he is president of the Black Law Students Association, serves as the executive ABA representative for the Student Bar Association after being elected by the student body and is an active member in many other student organizations.

Amanda McElfresh is a third-year law student from Manhattan. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wichita State University. McElfresh took advantage of the KU Law Judicial Field Placement Program and spent time working for a judge in Douglas County. She is also the secretary of the Hispanic American Law Student Association, a member of Women in Law and a member of First-Generation Professionals.

Andy McLandsborough is a second-year law student from Olathe. He has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Kansas State University. He also worked for an industrial automation company for a few years before coming back to law school. In addition to Dean’s Fellows, he is a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and the president of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association.

Sarah Schmitz is a third-year law student from Wichita. She received her undergraduate degree from Creighton University, where she studied business, intelligence and analytics, and finance. Schmitz is also the managing editor of the Kansas Law Review, a research assistant for Michael Hoeflich, professor of law, and a member of the Women in Law and the Environmental Law Society.

Madeline Shriver is a third-year law student from Omaha, Nebraska. She attended Rockhurst University, where she studied political science, philosophy and Spanish. At KU Law, she is the vice president of Public Interest Law Society and is a member of moot court, Women in Law and Dean’s Fellows.  

Connor Works is a second-year law student from Lenexa. He attended KU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. In his first year at KU Law, he participated in the Jessup Moot Court Program and was the only first-year law student on the team.

Visit their website for more information on the Dean’s Fellows.