SUU Graduate Attends Yale Law School
Published: August 14, 2024 | Author: Kierstin Holloway | Read Time: 3 minutes
Mitchell Zufelt, a 2022 graduate of Southern Utah University has been admitted to Yale Law School for enrollment this fall. This law school is well known for its extremely competitive acceptance rate, and a prestigious reputation spanning two centuries. Zufelt’s admittance to such a renowned institution is a reflection of his hard work and the caliber of SUU’s graduates.
A Cedar City native, Zufelt originally chose SUU due to its proximity to his friends and family, but he stayed for different reasons. “SUU kept me around by being a place where I felt like my input mattered,” said Zufelt. “The small class sizes, extraordinary faculty, and bounteous opportunities for getting involved allowed me to tailor my college experience very finely to my specific interests.”
After graduating from SUU, Zufelt began his career in research working for a lab at the University of Chicago and doing public health research on the south side of Chicago. His original plan was to continue this career by applying to PhD programs; however, while he knew the research work was important, Zufelt found himself feeling frustrated and sidelined.
“As a researcher, I am in an observational role and the amount I can do for the people I meet is very limited. I am drawn to the practice of law by the opportunity to intervene rather than just to observe,” said Zufelt. “I hope that legal training will empower me to advocate more effectively for the people I work with.”
Zufelt had several experiences at SUU that helped to prepare him for law school. Most notable among them was his time working with the Health Education Action Lab (HEAL) and the SUU Student Association (SUUSA).
Run by Dr. Joshua Price, and others in the economics department, HEAL is designed to give students of any major the chance to participate in empirical research.
“These professors started investing in my professional interests during my freshman year of college and helped me to develop serious research skills,” said Zufelt. “I think this kind of early investment in students is probably a rare thing at other schools.”
During his senior year at SUU, Zufelt had the opportunity to serve as a vice president of the Southern Utah University Student Association (SUUSA). Through this experience, Zufelt learned that, for him, public service would be an essential part of a fulfilling career.
“SUUSA allowed me to give back to the community that had given me so much. I was able to serve dozens of other students by running events, building clubs, and funding on-campus resources,” said Zufelt.
While Zufelt has yet to decide what specific type of law he wants to practice, he has a strong desire to return to Utah and be involved in the community as a public servant and advocate.
“So much of everything I have accomplished in life thus far I owe to the countless friends, mentors, and family who have lifted me to it,” said Zufelt. “I'm not sure I'd be where I am today were it not for the community I got to be a part of at SUU.”
Offering more than 150 undergraduate, 32 graduate, and certificate programs, as well as a professional doctorate degree, SUU strives to provide personalized education to every student. The supportive educational community at SUU offers T-Birds the opportunities they need to soar in their future careers. Learn more about what SUU alumni are accomplishing.
Tags: CurStu Alumni SUUSA Academic
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
4355865400
brookeheath1@suu.edu