Seven members of the Class of 2013 have been selected as Leadership Fellows at Elon University School of Law. They are: Pamela Boeka, Sherea D. Burnett, Janison Anne Dillon, Shoshana Fried, Jennifer Imediegwu, Andrew Richard Jones, and Jason Colin Senges.
The Leadership Fellows program was established in 2009 as part of Elon University School of Law’s mission to infuse legal education with an emphasis on leadership development.
The faculty and administration of Elon University School of Law welcome the following new Leadership Fellows to the law school:
Pamela Boeka
“Technological innovation, a growing population, and globalization have resulted in a world that is more connected and intertwined than ever before. As leaders, we must understand that this increased connectedness with other cultures both allows and requires us to accept increased responsibility for the betterment of our own society and for the entire global community as well.”
In 2005, Boeka earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, with fields of study in psychology and environmental engineering. In the United States Army, she served as Postal Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer, Battalion S-1 Personnel Officer, and as Aid-de-Camp for a Commanding General. In these positions, Boeka served as the leader of a 30-soldier platoon, the executive officer of a 60-soldier company, and the personnel officer in charge of a five-soldier team responsible for the financial and administrative needs of more than 800 soldiers. While at the United States Military Academy, Boeka was a member of NCAA Division I tennis team, qualifying for the NCAA national tournament twice. A former member of the West Point Spanish Club, she is fluent in Spanish. Her volunteer experience includes involvement with the Orange County Special Olympics.
Shereá D. Burnett
“I realize without the courage of my convictions and the initiative to improve my community, I cannot honestly consider myself to be a leader.”
In 2007, Burnett earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a secondary major in African and Afro-American studies and a minor in social and economic justice. Since 2007, Burnett has contributed to a wide-range of community service projects including her service as a volunteer with Duke HomeCare & Hospice and with the Durham Food Bank. In addition, she has participated in the UNC Summer Bridge Program, a program that assists minority students in transitioning from high school into higher education. She also facilitated workshops as part of a Congo Teach-In at UNC Chapel Hill, raising awareness about violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Burnett’s professional experience includes employment with Laboratory Corporation of America, the Institute of African American Research, and the UNC School of Medicine. She has been honored with membership in the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law fraternity and the Society of Janus – UNC Chapel Hill’s National Residence Hall Honorary Society.
Janison Anne Dillon
“Leadership is not about control, rules, or demands. Leadership is a method of positively influencing a group.”
In 2010, Dillon earned a Bachelor of Science in political science and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Appalachian State University. While at Appalachian State, she tutored students in Spanish, calculus, and basic math courses, helped to plan the “Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K” fundraiser, interned at Capua Law Firm, PA, and began coaching the Watauga County Parks & Recreation Little League basketball team. A political science honor student, Dillon served as president of the Chi Omega Fraternity, Pi Kappa Chapter, receiving that organization’s first scholarship awarded for academic achievement and leadership. She also served as director of academic affairs for the Appalachian State Student Government Association. Dillon has been recognized as a member of Order of Omega, the Greek academic honor society, and Pi Gamma Mu, the national social science honor society. Her senior honors thesis explored language access in North Carolina courts.
Shoshana Fried
“Many young people are going out of their way to serve their communities and are developing an understanding of the underlying issues that vulnerable and under-served populations face. I believe this exposure has the possibility of producing a generation of leaders that will be more attuned to societal needs than previous generations.”
In 2008, Fried earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. In 2007, she studied abroad at the University of Valencia in Spain. In 2008, Fried became an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer. With AmeriCorps VISTA, she helped to build and to sustain a new literacy program for a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts. In 2009, she became an AmeriCorps State Lead, planning and implementing seminars for state volunteers. At UNC-Asheville, Fried served as a teaching assistant for a freshman class on global poverty and received a summer research grant to study property rights in the Brazilian Amazon region. From 2006-2008, she was a research assistant for a USDA-funded project on farmland valuation in Western North Carolina. Fried has volunteered with Boston Cares, the Green River Preserve, and in Montero, Bolivia, as a community development officer. During her senior year at UNC-Asheville, she was the captain of the Division I varsity soccer team
Jennifer Imediegwu
“In bridging my career to my community work, I would like to place effort in advocating for programs and policies that build up the family institution and reform urban schools. With success in these two areas we will see drastic improvements in juvenile delinquency.”
In 2009, Imediegwu earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Her studies focused on public policy and education. Each year from 2005 to 2009, she earned the University of Michigan Distinguished Academic Scholar award. In 2006 and 2007, she won the NAACP & Ford Motor Company Oratorical Contest. Imediegwu is the founder of Destiny Investment Initiatives, a nonprofit organization offering professional and personal development programs for girls in school grades five through ten. From 2006 through 2009, she served as program director of Destiny Investment Initiatives. Imediegwu has taught pre-school children and served as an after-school program facilitator for third through fifth grade programs aimed at drug prevention. In addition, she served as a research assistant at the University of Michigan, focusing her research on the effectiveness and availability of youth summer programs in Ann Arbor.
Andrew Richard Jones
“Strong leaders need to be role models – they must align their actions with shared values.”
In 2010, Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Davidson College. During a semester in the nation’s capital as part of the Davidson in Washington program, Jones served as a research and public affairs intern for the American Legislative Exchange Council. While at Davidson, Jones served as president of the Davidson Pre-Law Society, Head Building Manager in the Residence Life Office, and participant in the Leadership Davidson Program. His leadership experience includes ownership and operation of a part-time pressure washing business along with service as a lifeguard for the Wilmington Family YMCA and as a lead teen camp counselor at Camp Kirkwood. From 2007 to 2010, Jones served four years as a coordinator and mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte. Jones, an Eagle Scout, has received numerous scholarships including the Ellis Tinsley Eagle Scout Scholarship, the Military Officers Association-Cape Canaveral Chapter Scholarship, and the Washington Crossing Foundation National Scholarship.
Jason Colin Senges
“Global leaders are forced to deal with statistics; local leaders deal with people. Citizens of the world must first give to their communities, and through this experience will better understand how to care for individuals when they are presented with caring for greater numbers of people.”
In 2006, Senges earned a Bachelor of Arts from Elon University, majoring in philosophy with minors in political science and history. While at Elon University, Senges served as vice delegate chairperson for the North Carolina Student Legislature, co-founder and vice president of a college political society. He also participated in the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement, a non-partisan group that fosters political awareness and civic engagement among students. His leadership experience includes service as an assistant campaign manager for a United States congressional election and managerial roles with True Solutions, Inc. and Target Corporation.