Jsaela Barrow L’26, Jennifer Carbajal L’26, Tarrah Casey L’26, Adriana Hernandez Ordonez L’25, and Elyanna Smith L’26 join Associate Professor Chrystal Clodomir in enhancing teaching, learning and community at Elon Law.
Five student leaders committed to advancing access and belonging in legal education and the legal field have been selected as Inclusive Excellence Fellows for 2025–26.
Jsaela Barrow L’26, Jennifer Carbajal L’26, Tarrah Casey L’26, Adriana Hernandez Ordonez L’25, and Elyanna Smith L’26 will meet biweekly with Laké Laosebikan Buggs, Elon University’s director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional education, while participating in Student Bar Association meetings and acting as liaisons for their classmates. Student fellows elevate student perspectives, support inclusive programming and dialogue, and contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen belonging, equity, and engagement across the law school community.
“Our Inclusive Excellence Fellows play a vital role in helping Elon Law live our values every day,” Laosebikan-Buggs said. “Through their leadership, scholarship, and service, they strengthen our community and help ensure that students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.”
These student fellows join Associate Professor of Law Chrystal Clodomir, who is continuing for a second year as the dean’s faculty fellow for inclusive excellence, in advancing inclusive teaching practices, in advancing inclusive teaching practices and supporting neurodivergent students.
During the 2024–25 academic year, Clodomir led a comprehensive study examining neurodivergent law students’ academic experiences through listening sessions, student surveys, and extensive legal research. The project engaged students, faculty, and student organizations in conversations about classroom practices, accessibility, and belonging, and led to the development of faculty resources.
In 2026, Clodomir will build on this foundation by developing accessible resources for students and educators, expanding her scholarship, and strengthening institutional practices that promote inclusive teaching and learning.
Carbajal will assist Clodomir in the research process this year.
“Professor Clodomir’s selection for a second year as Faculty Inclusive Excellence Fellow reflects both the impact of her work and the promise of what she continues to build at Elon Law,” said Laosebikan-Buggs. “Through her leadership in advancing inclusive excellence, neurodiversity, and student support, she has strengthened our academic community. Her work transforms moments that can feel vulnerable for students into pathways for empowerment, academic success, and professional confidence, and continues to move our community toward a truly inclusive culture.”
The 2025-2026 Elon Law Inclusive Excellence Fellows
Jsaela Barrow L’26
Hometown: Morehead City, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: Master of Public Health, Eastern Virginia Medical School; B.S. in Biology, Campbell University
Intended Practice Area: Health Law and Policy
Involvement and Leadership Roles: Elon Law Advocacy Fellow, Black Law Students Association, and Society for Health Law & Bioethics
“As a Black woman entering a profession in which we represent only 4% of attorneys nationwide, I am deeply grateful to attend a law school that values not only my academic ability, but also my perspective. Being in this space, I know the importance of advocating not just for myself, but for others as well. As an Elon Law inclusive excellence fellow, I am committed to strengthening every law student’s sense of belonging, while actively advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within our law school community. Through leadership and advocacy, I strive to lead with purpose and help cultivate an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and genuinely supported.”
Jennifer Carbajal L’26
Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. in Political Science, Catawba College
Intended Practice Area: Immigration and Civil Rights Law
Involvement and Leadership Roles: Vice President of Hispanic and Latinx Law Students Association; 2L representative in Honor Council; Professionalism and Social Chair of Immigration Law Society; Co-Chair of Community and Development for Student Mentors; Member of First Gen. Society
“I came into law school knowing that I wanted to advocate for others, and knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of the inclusive excellence fellows. I want to use my voice and my position to advocate for individuals who have concerns that may sometimes be overlooked. I hope that throughout my time in my position, I can leave behind a safe place for students to feel comfortable to advocate for themselves and have difficult conversations that need to be addressed in such tumultuous times.”
Tarrah Casey L’26
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. Philosophy, Coastal Carolina University
Intended Practice Area: Disability Law, Criminal Law, Special Education Law
Involvement: Honor Council Election Council Committee Co-Chair; student mentor; Elon Reaches Out committee member; Parents Attending Law School; Andrew G. Bennett Student Wellness Innovation Grant Recipient; Phi Alpha Delta;
Criminal Law Teaching Assistant
“My goal is to become the kind of lawyer who doesn’t just navigate the law, but helps transform it — creating pathways, expanding access, and making sure every person has the chance to be seen, heard, and valued. Law gives me the tools to transform lived experiences into policy solutions, to challenge structures that perpetuate inequity, and to ensure that dignity and opportunity are not privileges but rights. I’m pursuing this profession because I believe lawyers have a responsibility to stand in the gap: to speak when others cannot, to navigate complexity on behalf of those who shouldn’t have to, and to push institutions toward justice, compassion, and accountability.”
Adriana Hernandez Ordonez L’25
Hometown: Snow Hill, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. in Criminology & B.A. in Sociology, Eastern Connecticut State University
Intended Practice Area: Business Law & Real Estate
Involvement and Leadership Roles: President of Hispanic & Latinx Law Student Association; Academic Fellow; Elon Law Mentor; Moot Court Board
“As a first-generation Hispanic student, pursuing a legal education is both deeply personal and purpose-driven. Entering law school meant learning to navigate an unfamiliar environment while carrying the expectations and sacrifices of my family with me. At Elon Law, I found a community that affirmed my identity and encouraged me to lead with authenticity. As an inclusive excellence fellow, I hope to support students who may feel uncertain or marginalized by reminding them that their experiences are valuable and their voices matter. I am committed to advocating for equity within the legal profession and uplifting those whose perspectives are too often overlooked or misunderstood.”
Elyanna Smith L’26
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Alma Mater and Major: B.A. in Political Science, University of North Carolina, at Charlotte
Intended Practice Area: Civil and Criminal Litigation
Involvement and Leadership Roles: Professionalism Chair of the Hispanic/Latinx Law Student Association; member of the Criminal Law Society; Participant in Lawyers for Literacy program through the Pro Bono Board
“As an inclusive excellence fellow, I hope to make Elon Law a safe space for all. I have seen how access, representation, and inclusion can shape someone’s sense of belonging, and how the absence of those things can limit opportunities. I chose this role because I want to be part of the ongoing effort to ensure that the legal field evolves into one that welcomes and values everyone.”
About the Dean’s Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence
Chrystal Clodomir is an associate professor of law at Elon Law’s Greensboro campus. Since 2021-22, she has taught courses in Legal Method & Communication, Education Law, Family Law and Secured Transactions. Prior to joining Elon, Clodomir graduated from Rutgers University and Cornell Law School and practiced law for over 15 years in a variety of practice areas including family law, education law and criminal prosecution.
A graduate of Rutgers University and Cornell University School of Law, Clodomir practiced criminal law in New York and education law in Delaware prior to moving to North Carolina in 2018 and originally joining the legal staff of the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina.
“I’m honored to continue this work as the dean’s faculty fellow for inclusive excellence,” Clodomir said. “Over the past year, listening to students and learning from their experiences has reinforced how important it is to build learning environments that recognize and support different ways of thinking and learning. This next phase of my work will focus on creating accessible resources, strengthening inclusive teaching practices, and helping ensure that every student has the tools and confidence to succeed in law school and in the legal profession.”