Chaiken Scholar paves the way to law school for herself and her peers

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Laci Moore is a third-year Penn State student double majoring in criminology and psychology. A first-generation student from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and a Chaiken Scholar, she has embraced numerous leadership roles within the College of the Liberal Arts as she prepares for a career in the law profession.

Moore was selected as a Chaiken Scholar upon entering Penn State, and the program has significantly influenced both her academic and professional growth, she said. Beyond financial support, the program’s benefits have been invaluable, particularly the Chaiken Scholars section of LA 083 First-Year Seminar in the Liberal Arts, which Moore said she continues to benefit from today.

Moore has also built lasting friendships through the Chaiken Scholars program, and her Chaiken Scholars mentor, Nia Smith, Penn State class of 2024 in women’s studies and psychology, has been a source of guidance throughout Moore's journey.

“It’s really cool that you get paired with someone who knows your experience and is also in the College of the Liberal Arts,” Moore said. “They may not be the same major, but they still can help you find resources, tell you about the support you can receive from Liberal Arts Student Services and give you advice related to being a Chaiken Scholar.”

Moore’s mentor not only introduced her to valuable research opportunities but also encouraged her to become a peer success coach for the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success, where she has had the chance to meet new people and serve as a resource for others within the College of the Liberal Arts.

“It’s a really great feeling to support Liberal Arts students and make a difference in their day,” Moore said. “Some come in feeling lost or discouraged about a class, but by sitting down with them and creating a study plan, you might turn their whole semester around.”

Moore encourages Liberal Arts students to visit the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center in 138 and 139 Sparks Building, praising it as an invaluable resource that provides essential support for personal and professional success.

“I’ve seen firsthand how the Chaiken Center can make a difference for anyone,” Moore said. “If you know about the center, it can be a great resource throughout your college journey. I’ve worked with many students, including an adult learner who randomly walked in, and I was able to sit down and help them.”

In addition to her role as a peer success coach, Moore serves as vice president of the newly formed Chaiken Scholars Pre-Law Group, where she draws on experience working at a law firm and resources she’s gained along the way. With guidance from an alumni mentor — an attorney in New Jersey — Moore was eager to contribute to the group’s development and support students navigating their pre-law journey.

“I wanted to do more for the Chaiken Scholars,” Moore said. “Navigating pre-law can be challenging without a designated pre-law major, and I knew it could be especially helpful for first-generation students. I wanted to create a space where we could share resources, provide guidance and support each other on this path.”

New this semester, the Chaiken Scholars Pre-Law Group is open to all Chaiken Scholars interested in learning more about pursuing a career in law.

Building on her commitment to supporting fellow students, Moore has also pursued hands-on experiences that are shaping her future in the law profession. She served on the executive board of the Global Brigades Legal Empowerment Chapter, where she had the opportunity to travel to Athens, Greece, for a week to learn about the ongoing refugee crisis. During her time there, Moore volunteered at shelters, worked with children and developed lesson plans, calling it a “great volunteer experience.”

Additionally, Moore’s passion for law began to take root in high school when she had the chance to shadow at the Kenny, Burns & McGill law firm in Philadelphia as part of a senior project, she said. Specializing in criminal defense, real estate and personal injury law, the firm offered Moore a chance to work alongside legal professionals for three weeks.

Impressed by her work, the firm extended an offer for her to continue as a paid legal assistant after the project concluded, and she has now been working there over the past three years.

Moore said she credits the College of the Liberal Arts with shaping her Penn State experience and opening doors to new academic and career opportunities. Originally entering Penn State as a psychology major, she discovered her passion for criminology after attending the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Festival during Liberal Arts Welcome Week her first semester. There, she connected with faculty and staff from the Department of Sociology and Criminology.

“That was a real sign that Penn State could truly help me,” Moore said. “I don’t know who I’d be without my second major or without meeting the people who introduced me to criminology.”

One of the most influential courses in her journey toward law school was "Juvenile Justice" with Jonathan Grine, adjunct lecturer in criminology, which deepened her interest in the legal system, Moore said. Beyond the classroom, she immersed herself in the Liberal Arts community as a teaching assistant for PSYCH 100 and through involvement in various student organizations.

“Liberal Arts has great clubs, great faculty and so many opportunities,” she said. “I’ve explored different areas just to see all that the college has to offer, and it’s really shaped my academic and professional path. My two majors may seem different, but they complement each other in ways that make my education more valuable.”

After graduating in December 2025, Moore said she plans to attend law school and is considering a move to Chicago or New York. She hopes to pursue a career in juvenile or family law — fields that bring together both of her academic interests.