RWU Day of Law and Justice Showcases Powerful Combinations at the State House
The School of Justice Studies and Extension School join RWU Law in a university-wide effort connecting students to policy and public service.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In the chambers where Rhode Island’s legislation is debated and decided, Roger Williams University brought its work in law and justice directly into conversation with the state’s civic process.
Held at the Rhode Island State House on April 2, RWU Day of Law and Justice convened students, faculty, and state leaders for a day of engagement, reflection, and connection. Now in its third year, the event expanded to include the School of Justice Studies and Extension School, alongside the School of Law, highlighting Roger Williams University’s growing role in shaping the state’s legal and justice landscape.
“This day is about bringing our work into the heart of Rhode Island’s civic life,” said RWU School of Law Dean Gregory W. Bowman. “Bringing together faculty and students from across the institution reflects the powerful combinations we talk about at Roger Williams University. Across these programs, we’re preparing students to become lawyers, leaders, and changemakers who will make a difference in Rhode Island and beyond.”
Students staffed displays showcasing legal clinics, academic programs, and applied learning experiences, offering a firsthand look at how classroom learning translates into real-world impact. Set against the backdrop of the State House, the event created a space for direct interaction between the RWU community and the policymakers shaping Rhode Island’s future.
“What makes today special is that our students are here with us, because they are the true focus of this work,” said Vaughn J. Crichlow, Dean of the School of Justice Studies. “We talk about changemakers, and that starts with them – students who are learning how to lead not just through position or title, but through influence and action in their communities. The programs we represent reflect that future, and together, we are stronger in preparing them to carry that work forward.”
From Classroom to State House
For students, the day offered more than a glimpse into Rhode Island’s legislative process – it provided a firsthand view of how academic study connects to the spaces where policy is shaped, and decisions are made.
For Camila Diaz Ochoa, a first-year International Relations major and Political Science minor from Culiacán, Sinaloa, México, the experience marked both a moment of arrival and a beginning.
“Walking into the State House felt unreal,” Diaz Ochoa said. “As someone who only recently moved to the United States and always dreamed of being involved in American politics, I didn’t always feel like those spaces were meant for me – but being there changed that. Hearing the Speaker, stepping onto the House floor, and seeing how it all operates made it feel real in a way I hadn’t experienced before.”
That sense of possibility has been shaped by her early involvement across campus, from Student Senate to international diplomacy simulations.
“At RWU, I’ve been able to get involved right away, and each opportunity has opened the door to something more,” she said. “It’s shown me that not only is there a place for me in this work, but that I can help create that sense of belonging for others too.”
For Isiah DiPina 2L, a law student whose academic work has already intersected with legislative advocacy, the experience carried a different kind of weight.
“Being at the State House – and especially on the House floor – was a meaningful moment because it showed how the work we’re doing as law students extends beyond the classroom and into the spaces where real decisions are made,” DiPina said. “What made it especially powerful was seeing how my own work connects to that process.”
Through his coursework and advocacy surrounding heirs’ property, DiPina has engaged directly with policymakers – an experience that came full circle during the event.
“My advocacy around heirs’ property began as a personal experience, but through my coursework, I’ve been able to analyze it within a legal framework and bring it into conversations with lawmakers,” he said. “Being back in that space made it clear that legal education isn’t static – it takes shape through advocacy, policy, and real-world impact."
A Partnership with the State
The presence of RWU students and alumni within the State House underscored the university’s deep and growing connection to Rhode Island’s public institutions.
During the program, members of the RWU community were formally recognized on the House floor, including students, faculty, deans, and staff. As they stood below, dozens of students filled the gallery above, looking down on the proceedings – a striking visual that captured both the immediacy of the experience and the future it represents.
From the floor, Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi spoke to that connection, highlighting the university’s longstanding presence within the state’s legislative and legal landscape. His remarks reflected not only the moment but the broader role RWU has come to play across Rhode Island’s institutions.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many members of the Roger Williams University community, especially knowing how many of your graduates are already part of the work happening in this building,” Shekarchi said. “That connection between the institution and the General Assembly is critically important – students are not only earning their degrees, but returning here to make a real impact. What you’re seeing today is the result of years of effort to build a strong, accredited institution that develops top talent. Rhode Island is fortunate to have Roger Williams University, and we’re better for the passion and commitment your students and faculty bring to this work.”
That sense of partnership – between education and public service, between preparation and practice – extended beyond the House chamber itself. It is reflected in the number of RWU graduates serving in government and in the ongoing collaboration between the university and state leadership.
“It’s a privilege to recognize the contributions Roger Williams University makes to our state, and you can see that impact reflected throughout this room,” said Valarie J. Lawson, President of the Senate. “As an educator, I especially value the work being done to prepare students not just academically, but with the skills and perspective needed to lead. We see the results of that every day in the number of graduates serving in the legislature and across Rhode Island. There’s a shared understanding that this kind of education enables people to make a lasting difference in their communities.”
Expanding Access and Impact
Beyond the traditional academic pathway, the event also highlighted RWU’s commitment to expanding access to legal and justice education across different stages of learning – and the partnerships that support that work.
“At the Extension School, we’re focused on expanding access – creating opportunities not only for traditional students, but for adult learners and even high school students through dual enrollment partnerships across Rhode Island and beyond. We’re working closely with the School of Law and the School of Justice Studies to build clear pathways into these fields,” said Extension School Dean Gena Bianco. “That kind of collaboration allows us to spark interest early and support students throughout their educational and professional journeys.”
The day was formally recognized through a resolution introduced by June Speakman, Professor of Politics and International Relations and State Representative for Rhode Island’s District 68. Her dual role reflects the connection between academic study and public service that the event is designed to highlight.
“What makes Roger Williams so effective is the collaboration across the university. We see that in areas like housing policy, civic engagement, and community-based research, where faculty and students are contributing in meaningful ways,” Speakman said. “Those powerful combinations create opportunities for students to not only learn about policy, but to help shape it. It’s that connection between academic work and public impact that defines the university’s role in Rhode Island.”
As the RWU Day of Law and Justice continues to grow, the event signals an ongoing partnership between the university and the state, and a shared investment in preparing the next generation to lead within it.
“The state’s motto is hope – and partnerships like this, with the legislature, with all branches of government, with our colleagues and our students, are what give me hope,” Bowman said.