Law school chooses 12 students to serve as Dean’s Fellows, mentor incoming law students

LAWRENCE — Twelve students at the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen as Dean’s Fellows for the 2019-20 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.

“The Dean’s Fellows serve as mentors and allies who strive to help first-year law students navigate the challenges of 1L year,” said Sasha Raab, head Dean’s Fellow. “We accomplish this broadly by fostering an inclusive environment and connecting students to academic, social and health resources. This year we have expanded our team in hopes that we can focus more on mentorship at the one-on-one level.”

The program is administered by the KU Law Office of Admissions. The 2019-20 Dean’s Fellows are listed below.

Quentin Aker is a third-year law student from Wichita. Aker earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from KU. As a 2L, he was the president of the KU student chapter of the Federal Bar Association and a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review. This year, he is an intern at the Douglas County Legal Aid Society, volunteers at Court Appointed Special Advocates and is a member of the Midwest Innocence Project Student Organization. He graduated from Northeast Magnet High School and is the son of Suzan and Steven Aker. 

Paige Bangerter is a third-year law student from Dodge City. She will graduate from KU Law in December. Bangerter earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She served as president of Women in Law during her 2L year. She is a member of the Christian Legal Society. She graduated from Dodge City High School and is the daughter of Kirstin and Shane Bangerter.

Zack Combs is a second-year law student from Lexington, Kentucky. Combs earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Kansas State University. He is the vice president of International Law Society, the vice president of the 2L class and a member of the Hispanic American Law Students Association. He graduated from Trinity Academy in Wichita. He is the son of Charlotte and David Combs.

Karen Fritts is a second-year law student from Olathe. She earned a bachelor’s degree in personal financial planning from Kansas State University. Before coming to law school, she managed her family's bakery for a few years. Fritts was a member of the team of KU Law students that won first place at the Jessup Rocky Mountain Regional Moot Court Championship in February. Fritts graduated from Olathe East High School and is the daughter of Bev and Jim Edwards.

Marisol Garcia is a second-year law student from Wichita. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Kansas State University. Garcia is the president of First Generation Professionals. She is also a member of both OUTLaws & Allies and the Hispanic American Law Students Association. She graduated from Northeast Magnet High School and is the daughter of Martina and Baltazar Garcia.

Jared Jevons is a second-year law student from Manhattan. Jevons graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general geology from KU. Before coming to law school, he served as a naval officer for 11 years. He is a KU Law student ambassador, a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and president of the Military Law Society. He graduated from Manhattan High School and is the son of Virginia and Keith Jevons.

Zachary Kelsay is a second-year law student from Independence, Missouri. He earned degrees in history and global & international studies from KU. Kelsay is a part of the Legal Education Accelerated Degree program, which gives students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's degree and juris doctor in six years instead of seven. He is a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and a member of the Black Law Students Association. He graduated from Blue Springs South High School and is the son of Beth Trosper and Brian Kelsay.

Cori Moffett is a second-year law student from Houston. Moffett earned degrees in both history and international studies from Kansas State University. She is the vice president of Women in Law and a member of the American Constitution Society, First Generation Professionals, International Law Society and Public Interest Law Society. She graduated from Blue Valley Northwest High School and is the daughter of Marcey Moffett.

Riley Nickel is a second-year law student from Topeka. Nickel earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kansas State University. He is a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review and a member of the KU student chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He graduated from Seaman High School and is the son of Denise and Joel Nickel.

Sammy Patterson is a third-year law student from Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Patterson is an articles editor for the Kansas Law Review and serves on committees for KU’s student chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Women in Law. She has participated in the Shook, Hardy & Bacon Advocates Program and Moot Court. She graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy and is the daughter of Kelley and Mike Patterson.

Sasha Raab, a third-year law student from Stilwell, is this year’s head Dean’s Fellow. She attended Johnson County Community College, then finished her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is president of the Jewish Legal Society and the executive comment editor for the Kansas Law Review. She graduated from Blue Valley West High School and is the daughter of Diana and William Hurst.

Blake Saffels is a second-year law student from Overland Park. He earned degrees in both accounting and finance from KU. Saffels is the treasurer for the KU Midwest Innocence Project Student Organization and a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review. He graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School and is the son of Susan and James Saffels.