by Ling Ritter, UCLI Associate Director
This year marked the launch of UCLI’s first-ever LSAT Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship, made possible by the generous support of the Utah Bar Foundation.
The scholarship is aimed at expanding opportunity for aspiring attorneys committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The grant provides financial assistance for costs associated with the LSAT exam. Accordingly, scholarship recipients must demonstrate financial need as well as a strong history of serving Utah’s underrepresented communities and a passion for bringing about an equitable and inclusive future for Utah’s legal profession and institutions.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Amanda Moody and Shayma Salih.
Amanda Moody is a senior at the University of Utah double majoring in Political Science and International Studies with an emphasis in Human Rights. She became interested in pursuing an education in law due to her passion for civic engagement, social justice, and interest in the U.S. legal structure. Through her coursework at the U, law-related internships, and personal experiences, Amanda’s passion for diversity and equity in the justice system has grown. She believes in an equal voice for all, particularly for those with diverse views and backgrounds and she plans to play an active role in increasing this representation. Amanda noted that UCLI’s scholarship will enable her to make her educational and career aspirations a reality.
“This scholarship represents the important work that organizations such as UCLI are doing to increase diversity and inclusivity in Utah’s legal profession. This scholarship provides me with the tools to be a part of this valuable work.” — Amanda Moody
Shayma Salih recently graduated from the University of Utah, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. During her time as an undergraduate, she served as Director of Diversity in student government, Director of Service with the Asian American Student Association and Vice President of the Women of Tomorrow. She also interned at the Utah Attorney General’s Office as a Victim Services Advocate, where she supported and assisted minority women, refugees and other victims of crimes. She currently works with a non-profit, the Utah Muslim Civic League, as the Civic Engagement Director, where she works to engage, empower and serve her community.
We congratulate these amazing recipients and wish them all the best in their pursuit of legal education!
Pictured: UCLI LSAT Scholarship winners Amanda Moody (left), University of Utah Senior; and Shayma Salih (right), Civic Engagement Fellow at the Utah Muslim Civic League.
For more information about UCLI scholarships and financial support resources, visit utahcli.org/ucli-education-program.
