Photo Credits: Mikaela Gantz
Mikaela Gantz (Political science and environmental studies double major with concentrations in legal studies and peace and justice studies ‘25) participated in the Summer Scholars program last summer with mentor Dr. Todd Peppers, a Roanoke College Public Affairs professor. She applied to the program to conduct research in the familiar Roanoke area and to be a part of a community of student researchers. Mikaela’s project, “The Land Dictum: Environmental Rights Guaranteed by the United States Constitution”, examines a legal article that focuses on environmental rights. Her research centers on Substantive Due Process environmental rights, arguing that those rights include the right to a safe and functioning earth under the right to life and liberty aspects of the due process clause. The Summer Scholars program has allowed Mikaela to gain insight into her field of study: “Legal research is very difficult and time-consuming. It is a lot more reading and thinking than I thought it would be. I am very glad I was able to experience it before law school because it reminded me that this is something I love doing and am capable of doing as well”. Her goals for this project include writing a 50-page paper to submit to a law journal, preparing her for the expectations of writing and research in law school. Mikaela would like to thank her project supervisor and mentor, Dr. Peppers for his constant guidance and encouragement.
Congratulations on all your hard work and good luck in law school!