N.C. A&T Students Use Skills Gained in the Classroom to Assist Residents in Honduras

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 17, 2024) – Eight students from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University recently participated in a unique international internship in Honduras. The students used skills gained in the classroom to help residents by way of the Global Legal Empowerment Brigade.

The participating students were:

• Levi Burks, junior, pre-law major
• Alecia Coffee, junior, criminal justice major
• Sa’Jia Davis, junior, sociology and pre-law major
• Morgan Gross, junior, pre-law major
• Alicia Kariuki '24, liberal studies
• Jada Muhammad, junior, psychology and political science major
• Alexander Riche, junior, pre-law major
• Destiny Sellers, junior, pre-law major

Burks and Sellers, chapter leader and president of the Greensboro chapter of Global Legal Empowerment Brigades respectively, are N.C. A&T February One Scholars and Honors College students.

The initiative took place in the community of El Bailadero, where the team worked diligently to provide legal education and support to under-resourced families, said Sellers.

During their seven days in Honduras, the students engaged in activities to provide legal aid and education to the local community. They met with the country’s Supreme Court justices and community leaders to discuss significant legal issues and conducted door-to-door surveys to understand the perspectives on the Honduran legal system. Additionally, they assisted a local attorney in organizing legal clinics where they addressed cases involving divorces, work visas, land ownership and domestic violence.

Sellers, who led the group in the community of El Bailadero, described the experience as transformative. “This experience has been incredibly eye-opening and educational for all involved,” she said. “It has highlighted the legal challenges under-resourced communities face and stressed the importance of legal advocacy.”

The student volunteers visited Marcala Municipality in southwest Honduras to learn about their legal processes and advocate for resources. They also traveled to Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, to tour the Supreme Court and engaged in a mock trial, gaining valuable insights into the Honduran legal system.

“Summer internships are crucial for our students as they provide an opportunity to keep their intellect active and engaged while applying the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world settings,” said Jefferey Mack, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Liberal Studies. “These experiences not only enhance academic and professional growth but also facilitate meaningful contributions to local and global communities.”