| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW |
DECEMBER 18, 2024 | | |
|
Greetings,
This week we feature our new Director of Development, Shannon Walker. Shannon may be new to the position, but she is by no means new to Arizona Law. You may have already met Shannon through her excellent work with the Career Development team and, most recently, in my office.
There will be many opportunities in the coming year to meet or reconnect with Shannon, including events on and off campus that bring our alumni community together.
| |
|
Until the footnotes,
Marc
| |
Introducing Shannon Walker, the New Director of Development | |
|
As of December 9, we are pleased to welcome Shannon Walker as our new Director of Development.
Many of you already know Shannon. She’s been a dedicated and familiar member of the College of Law for the past eight years, advancing strategic initiatives and fostering relationships through close collaboration with alumni and development, marketing and communications, admissions, career development, faculty and leadership.
In her most recent role as Director of Special Projects, Shannon managed high-level communications and strategic projects through the dean’s office connecting with donors, alumni and other key stakeholders. She also has helped support the Law College Association and Board of Visitors, which fosters philanthropic support for Arizona Law. Earlier in her career, Shannon served in the Career Development Office, where she supported students in their career journeys and developed programs to help them achieve professional success.
| |
Shannon, with spouse Matt Walker (JD ’13) and daughters (future LawCats?) | |
|
But Shannon’s ties to the university are even deeper than her many years with Arizona Law. Shannon is a Tucson native and graduated from the University of Arizona with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology in 2013. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University in 2021 and is currently a PhD candidate in Higher Education at the University of Arizona, a reflection of her deep commitment to higher education.
“Having spent the past eight years at the College of Law, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact this institution has on students, alumni and the broader legal community,” said Shannon. “It’s an honor to step into the role of Director of Development and continue contributing to a place that has meant so much to me personally and professionally. I look forward to working with our incredible alumni and donors to strengthen the connections and resources that make Arizona Law such a dynamic and supportive community.”
Shannon’s extensive experience, paired with her genuine care for our alumni, donors and students, makes her the perfect fit for this role. She brings warmth and vision to foster meaningful partnerships and build an even stronger future for University of Arizona Law.
You can reach out to Shannon at sawalker@arizona.edu and connect with her throughout the year at our alumni engagement events!
Finally, we bid a fond farewell to two familiar faces in the alumni and development office, Megan O’Leary and Corrina Eklund. After several impactful years with the College of Law, they have both moved across campus to the Department of Athletics to work with University of Arizona Law alumna and Vice President and Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois (’97).
| |
Third-Year Law Student Samantha Barrera Recipient of University of Arizona’s Centennial Achievement Award | |
|
University of Arizona Law congratulates third-year law student Samantha Barrera on being awarded the University of Arizona’s Centennial Achievement Award for her perseverance and leadership in the pursuit of academic success.
Barrera is one of nine University of Arizona students to receive this recognition, one of the highest honors a student can achieve at the University.
Samantha is a mother of two, first-generation college student and first-generation immigrant from Great Britain pursuing her JD and Certificate in Criminal Law and Policy. As a domestic violence survivor who was supported by the Tucson community and justice system, she is committed to protecting vulnerable Arizonans.
“When I joined Arizona Law in 2022, I never imagined my life changing so profoundly. Through my studies, I have found community, fostered passion and challenged my perceived limits,” says Samantha.
For the full story, see here.
| |
Register for Winter/Spring Recruiting Events | |
|
The Career Development Office is gearing up for the 2025 winter/spring recruiting season and deadlines are fast approaching for potential employers. See below for information about when, where and how your organization can participate:
Winter Private Sector Interview Program
Dates: Jan. 30 (Tucson), Jan. 31 (virtual)
Employer Registration Deadline: Jan. 2
Sonoran Public Sector Interview Program
Dates: Feb. 13 (Tucson), Feb. 14 (virtual)
Employer Registration Deadline: Jan. 16
Arizona Law Grads Interview Program
Dates: Mar. 27 (Tucson), Mar. 28 (virtual)
Employer Registration Deadline: Feb. 28
If you would like to discuss your unique hiring needs, please contact Assistant Dean Leah Won at 520-621-9156 or leahwon@arizona.edu.
| |
Support University of Arizona Law with Year-End Giving | |
|
The University of Arizona will be closed campus-wide starting Tuesday, December 24 through Wednesday, January 1, and will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
If you would like to make a year-end philanthropic contribution, here are some tips to ensure your gift is counted in 2024. These are meant to serve as a helpful guide—this isn’t legal advice, and individual situations may vary.
Gifts by check: All checks should be made payable to the Law College Association and mailed to:
The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
1201 E. Speedway Blvd.
PO Box 210176
Tucson, AZ 85721
Checks will be processed and receipted according to the postmark date on the envelope. Please allow extra time for USPS delays. To receive a charitable gift deduction in 2024, your envelope must be postmarked by December 31, 2024.
Gifts by credit card: Credit card gifts will be receipted on the date the charge hits (posts to) your credit card account. This means to receive a 2024 charitable gift deduction, the charges must be made with sufficient time before December 31, 2024, to allow the donation to post by December 31, 2024. You can make a gift securely at: https://givetoarizonalaw.org/
Gifts of stock: Stock gifts will be processed and receipted on the date the stocks are transferred into our account. To receive a 2024 charitable gift deduction, stock gifts must be received in the LCA’s brokerage account by December 29, 2024. If you are planning a stock gift please call 520-626-9223 by December 21 so that we can prepare for your gift.
If you would like to make a gift another way—wire transfer, qualified charitable distribution from an IRA, documenting through an estate plan, or something else—please contact Shannon Walker at 520-626-9223 or sawalker@arizona.edu.
| |
Do You Have News?
Your success is the college’s success and we want to celebrate with you! If you have landed a new job, received an award or recognition, stepped into a leadership role or have good news in general, let us know.
| | |
|
The relationship of alumni and friends to the college is a cornerstone of our success. The first step is caring; the second is being aware of who is in our hallways, and what is happening in classes and clinics, events and gatherings.
On those foundations we build mentoring and speaking and sometimes full teaching relationships, job opportunities for current students and other alumni, conversations with prospective students, and the financial support that makes scholarships, professorships, courtrooms, clinics and some of our cutting-edge research possible.
The alumni and development office leads the interactions with alumni and friends, focusing on gifts and support, but connecting with our admissions, career and communications teams. And the leader of the that office, our Director of Development is the person tending to those relationships, day-to-day.
In Shannon Walker our college has a gifted leader and colleague. Many alumni and friends already know her, and I hope our entire supporting community—those of you who regularly read this newsletter and care about our college—will soon get to know Shannon too.
| | | | |
.gif){kind=small}
