Q&A with Emma Thorp: Anderson University Law Scholar
BY JACEY CRAWFORD ’21
3 MIN. READ
Emma Thorp ’21, a senior political science major with a minor in Spanish, has recently been selected as the 2021 scholarship recipient of the Anderson University Law Scholar program — a partnership between Anderson University and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
High school:
Zionsville Community High School
Major and graduation year:
Political science with a minor in Spanish, 2021
AU Career Type:
Investigator
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love organization and interior design. I pretty much force my friends to let me clean out their closets or their desks, and I am constantly rearranging furniture and looking for inexpensive ways to improve spaces.
Why did you choose to attend AU?
I chose to attend AU because of the emphasis on relationships with the professors. During my visit, my advisor, Dr. Michael Frank, was able to lay out in detail how the political science program would develop not only my academic knowledge, but foster my personal and professional growth.
Why did you choose your major?
I have always loved participating in political conversations and I knew someday I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I like data and watching things progress over time, and political science offers me the ability to appreciate why our government functions the way it does and how best to move forward in policy decisions.
What have your favorite experiences/projects been at AU?
This semester I had the privilege to serve on Anderson University’s Student Government Association as vice president. I have loved the constant communication with students and working with the administration on feasible ways to meet the needs of the student body as a whole. I have been blessed with incredible coworkers who all strive to maintain AU’s community and improve life here in the midst of a pandemic.
What is your department currently doing? Any special activities or projects?
Right now in my senior seminar class for political science, I have really enjoyed applying our knowledge of history, policies, and the law to real life issues. It’s very helpful to talk about life after AU and how to be an ethical professional led by our values. That’s something I really appreciate about the School of Humanities and Behavioral Science. Our professors want to see us succeed and acknowledge that our education goes beyond college. This semester I also had the opportunity to participate in a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seminar class, which I am really enjoying. It’s just a new facet of the government that we don’t touch on in our standard courses, so it’s nice to experience something new and hear from so many current agents.
Who is your favorite professor?
It’s really a toss-up between Dr. Abigail Post and Dr. Michael Frank for my favorite professor. Dr. Post has incredibly high expectations for her students and I have grown so much in her classes academically. She’s also a great example to me. She shows confidence and poise and has invested professional knowledge in me that’s preparing me for a career path as a woman. Dr. Frank has equally invested in me and has put up with my constant questions and many requests for office hours. He’s helped me maneuver an early graduation, and has kept me on track throughout my time at AU.
What are your goals after graduation?
After graduation, I will be attending the IU McKinney School of Law to pursue a career in human rights law. I want to eventually work toward the fight against human trafficking. This summer, I am going to be taking some road trips and relaxing in anticipation of a couple more rigorous years of schooling.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.