Writing the Next Chapter: JCRED Alumni Return as Student Advisors

Looking back, Makousse Ilboudo ’16 says the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development (JCRED) was where theory met purpose. It gave her a space where she could engage with real-world issues, including the social justice movements unfolding beyond the classroom. Ilboudo came to St. John’s Law intent on a public sector career, and researching, writing, and editing for JCRED only deepened that commitment. Now, as Executive Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office to Facilitate Pro Bono Legal Assistance, she’s proud to share that public service mindset with current JCRED students as one their Alumni Advisors.

“Being an Alumni Advisor feels like coming full circle,” says Ilboudo. “JCRED helped me find my professional voice, and I want to do the same for the next generation of St. John’s lawyers. There is something rewarding about helping others bridge the gap between academia and the practical realities of using law to serve the public. I know how transformative those conversations can be as they shape how future lawyers think about justice, equity, and their role in advancing both.”

Along with Ilboudo, Ralph Carter ’14 and Ayanna Thomas ’15 are also serving as Alumni Advisors to JCRED this year. They all help 2L students develop scholarly notes for publication, meeting regularly to provide feedback on drafts. “I appreciated how my Alumni Advisor encouraged me to think critically about my JCRED note,” says Carter, who is Senior Counsel, Litigation & Cybersecurity Legal at Workday. “Now I’m proud to support the timely work of my advisees, who have chosen topics exploring how technological advancements—like Generative AI—challenge notions of equity and justice under the law.”

Returning to the classroom, Carter offered practical insights as a guest speaker in Perspectives on Justice, a required course where JCRED students explore racial, social, and economic justice issues. “I was very impressed with our discussion on Generative AI and the law,” he shares. “The students are clearly intentional about preparing themselves for what seems to be an incredible inflection point in the profession. They will be well equipped to navigate the changes in how law is practiced.”

The students also impressed Thomas, General Counsel at Democracy Prep Public Schools, who spoke with the class about school suspension disparities and the disproportionate removal of students with disabilities. “I care deeply about students with disabilities and ensuring that schools are complying with special education law,” she says. “The Perspective on Justice students had small-group discussions on topics that resonated with them before we met as a class. They were thoughtful, engaged, and asked insightful questions that kept me on my toes.”

Thomas also enjoys working one-on-one with her advisees. “Our meeting collaborations have been a highlight,” she says. “They provide a safe space for students to openly reflect on their ideas, and I can help guide them in synthesizing their thoughts. I see myself as their creative thought partner. For example, we may work on bolstering topic sentences and headings, organizing sections of their note for clarity, or refining solutions to legal problems. It’s rewarding to witness the evolution of their writing from an initial idea to a polished work product.”

Those successful advisor-advisee collaborations are a hallmark of JCRED’s Alumni Advisor program. “Having Alumni Advisors is an opportunity for us and the students to expand our understanding about current civil rights practices and deepen our connection to alumni,” says Professor Rosa Castello, who serves as Faculty Advisor to JCRED and co-teaches Perspectives on Justice with Professor Elaine Chiu. “It's really been wonderful to see our former students now in leadership and mentorship roles, making meaningful impacts in the profession while also helping guide and shape our current students to a similarly successful career path.”

For Ilboudo, advising this year’s JCRED students is a formative opportunity. She admires their courage and willingness to speak out against inequality. “They are not afraid to challenge long-standing assumptions or question the structures that perpetuate inequity,” she says. “They are committed to offering solutions—even if those solutions aren’t perfect. They blend critical thinking with imagination, and rigorous research with empathy. They see the law as both a tool and a responsibility, and watching them engage with issues of racial, social, and economic justice reminds me that progress is possible.”