“Through my liberal arts education I learned how to listen carefully and approach situations with greater empathy.”
Major/minor: English major, Studio Art minor
Lives in: Montpelier, VT
What work looks like: “In Vermont, assistant judges are elected officials who serve as fact finders in family and civil cases and are the executives of county functions and property. Day to day, that means I hear motions in family and civil court involving issues like divorce, child custody, stalking, and relief from abuse (civil restraining orders). I also oversee the county budget and buildings, which include the historic county courthouse and sheriff’s department in downtown Montpelier.”
What she loves about it: “I love being another set of eyes and ears, especially in the domestic docket. Our judicial system allows for such a small amount of time for parties to be heard in these extremely important matters, and it yields better outcomes when more than one judge is taking in information and contributing to a decision.”
What she gained from a liberal arts education: “My background in English and the liberal arts has strengthened my ability to closely analyze language, evaluate competing perspectives, recognize inconsistencies and biases, and interpret dense information. I learned to defend positions and question assumptions rather than memorize fixed answers, which, in turn, taught me to think critically and communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally. Through my liberal arts education I learned how to listen carefully and approach situations with greater empathy. I learned to slow down and reflect thoughtfully before forming conclusions. Those skills have become part of my character, and I know they contribute to my overall happiness.”