Cohort 1

Taylor Smith

Taylor Smith is a political science major. She is a member of the Manhattan Young Democrats where she is actively involved in the committees on housing/poverty and health. She also volunteers with NARAL and Housing Works. Taylor is described by her professors as a “truly independent and remarkably curious thinker.” Taylor is originally from Kansas.

Cohort 1

Kevin Toussaint

Kevin Toussaint is a transfer student from Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) from which he received his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts with Honors. Kevin is now a biology major and on the Dean’s List. He is a Peer Tutor in Calculus and English as well as a Peer Mentor. In addition, Kevin volunteers at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn assisting nurses and doctors with the care of patients. Kevin plans to practice law in the public interest.

Cohort 1

Mujgan Turgut

Mujgan Turgut is a 22-year-old international student from Istanbul, Turkey. She is majoring in psychology with a minor in political science. Mujgan came to the United States three years ago without the ability to communicate in English. In that time she has become a proficient English speaker, attesting to her discipline and hard work. These traits have insured her academic success. She currently has a 3.94 GPA and is on the Dean’s List.

Cohort 1

Ebony Underwood

Ebony Underwood, a Harlem resident, is a political science major. After many years of working as a marketing and promotion executive in the music industry, she made the decision to go back to school and pursue a law degree. While working at major record labels such as Universal and Sony, Ebony was frequently under the tutelage of attorneys and prepared proposals and retainer agreements for the artist roster. She loved being a key part of building some of the biggest and hottest brand names in the world of entertainment and realized that the true “power players” in the industry were behind the scenes. She decided the best way to maximize her experience and become a power player herself was to obtain a law degree. Her goal is to build the publishing arm of her family business by creating and securing licenses for various forms of content. She loves to read, write, and listen to music. In addition, she is the mother of a five-year-old boy. Her dream is to attend Columbia Law School and become a prominent transactional law attorney with a focus in licensing.

Cohort 1

Jeremy Wilson

Jeremy Wilson is a political science major and transfer student from SUNY Albany. Jeremy is a member of the ARISTA honors society, a frequent volunteer with the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, and is a youth ambassador for the America-Israel Friendship League. In high school, Jeremy was awarded the Italian Bronze Medal for his academic achievement in the Italian language. He would like to pursue a legal career in the public interest.