Samantha Luce, the District Director of Violence Prevention and Response at City Colleges of Chicago, has dedicated the last three and a half years to helping students navigate challenging experiences while advancing her own education and career. She’s now a third-year law student in Loyola University Chicago’s Weekend JD program balancing her full-time work at City Colleges with her rigorous academic schedule. This year, she was awarded the Bryce Harlow Fellowship, which will help provide financial support and mentorship as she earns her law degree.

Samantha’s decision to pursue her law degree part-time at Loyola drew inspiration from City Colleges students, faculty, and staff.

“I’m so inspired by our City Colleges’ students because a lot of them also balance working and going to school,” she says. “I was also inspired to go to graduate school because I saw so many women in leadership at City Colleges who were so successful and well-educated, and I wanted to develop myself in that way.”

The Bryce Harlow Foundation is named after a government affairs advisor and advocate committed to integrity in public policy and government advocacy. The fellowship supports future leaders who are working full-time while pursuing graduate degrees in fields such as law, public policy, and government relations.

Samantha’s journey and recognition as a Bryce Harlow Fellow magnifies her dedication to both personal growth and public service. She is not only an advocate for violence prevention at City Colleges but also an example of what can be achieved with perseverance, ambition, and a commitment to serving others.

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