JD/MS Program Inspires Student's Passion for Coastal Policy

Brianna Jordan JD ’21 M ’22, who took part in the Juris Doctor/Master of Science of Historic Preservation dual degree program, will be sitting for the Massachusetts Bar Exam in July and is applying to jobs in the legal field. During her time at RWU, Jordan was part of the Maritime Law Society and worked as a teaching assistant for Professor Peter Margulies. 

Dual Degree Program Combines Passions: “The Law School got me to the University. We have a really cool dual degree program that cemented me being here. This degree program honed my skills. Historic Preservation is a passion. It was another layer to add to my law degree. I hope it highlights my commitment to the field.”  

Prestigious Internship Opportunities: “I was an intern in summer 2020 for the President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Legal Counsel. I compiled a memo that assessed policy and compliance implications for individuals who utilized the National Historic Preservation Act. As someone who would like to be an attorney in cultural resource law, that experience gave me this three-month journey through all the policy that goes behind historic preservation in this country and how that operates.” 

Fellowship Inspires Career Path: “I was a Sea Grant Fellow at the RWU Marine Affairs Institute. I wrote a paper about the intersection of historic preservation and ocean and coastal policy. I would love to work in the intersection between historic preservation and climate change, specifically ocean and coastal policies. The fellowship confirmed that I’m really interested in ocean and coastal policy, and my master’s gave me a lens to look through.” 

Jordan is from Cranston, R.I.  

Every May, as Commencement nears, RWU spotlights members of the graduating class. Suggestions are welcome. Email: stories@rwu.edu