Laura Harding '97: Catching Up

Now a third-year law student at Howard University, Ms. Harding reflects on the Adelphi experiences that fueled a career of nonprofit leadership and social service.

“I am a third-year law student at the Howard University School of Law. After graduating from Adelphi, I received my master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. I have spent over 10 years in the nonprofit sector, beginning as a social worker and culminating as an education administrator in New York City and Washington, D.C., prior to beginning law school. My last full-time position was serving as the assistant director of the Office of Federal Grants and Programs within the District of Columbia Public Schools.

My experience in student government (S.G.A.) and in other organizations at Adelphi provided me with early exposure to working with different personalities—people with differing and competing interests—and building consensus among such people. It also fueled my desire to function as an advocate for those whose voices tend to be marginalized or ignored in their community at large.

As S.G.A. president (1996–1997), I developed project management, communication and analytic skills that the typical student may not have since I had to ensure that S.G.A. and the student senate functioned well, communicate with the varied AU student constituency and think in a broad and nuanced manner about the issues facing students and the institution.”