Courtney Petersen

Courtney (she/her) is a third year J.D./M.S.W. dual degree candidate with a particular interest in human rights and immigration law work in remote regions, such as island nations and rural communities, where climate change and forced migration is a direct intersecting issue with the aforementioned topics. She grew up in Iowa and studied Sociology and Religious Studies at Grinnell College for her undergraduate degree. She has worked with organizations in the U.S., India, Namibia, and South Africa engaging with civil and human rights and immigration, asylum, and refugee litigation, policy, and client service work. While at the University of Michigan she has been deeply involved with the First-Generation Law Students organization, serving previously as president, and has regularly served as a Graduate Student Instructor in the Sociology and International Studies Departments. She is currently completing her field placement at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and is excited about utilizing the GASP opportunity to build her advocacy toolset in preparation for her social work and legal career abroad following graduation.