Germar Townsend
Germar Townsend has moved around quite a bit as an adult, but he's always found time to give back to his community.
"My family's spread throughout the southeast, but if I had to pick one place to call home, it would be Atlanta," he said. "It was always the hub of my life: I began life as an entertainer, performer, and producer." In fact, he began performing at age seven, and continued as a dancer, actor, musician, writer, and director through college.
But he's always worked with kids - as a teacher, camp counselor, coach, and mentor. "At some point I realized that I enjoyed working with youth more than pursuing Hollywood. I wanted to make a difference." While working as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, he moved to Tucson and applied to Arizona Law.
Throughout law school, he has continued to give back. "I've had the privilege to work with undergraduates and first-year law students as a mentor, instructor, and adviser. It is by far the most rewarding part of my Arizona Law experience. The impact of these relationships is immediate and awesome."
Germar is an excellent ambassador for the College as well. "I met a Tucson native at an LSAC forum in LA," he recalled. "We talked for a while, and because of that meeting, she's now a student here! Twice, I've participated in panels for first-generation undergraduates. And now twice I've taught for the law school's undergraduate course titled Sex, Race & Power in the Supreme Court. Those students still contact me for advice about law school applications and interviews."
Outside of the law, Germar admits that he mostly does... well, law. "My life is a jumble of internships, moot court, student and faculty committees, a research assistantship, conferences, and competitions." But he also managed to keep his mentoring and media skills sharp. "I've done video editing and A/V for the school and community organizations. And I've worked as a youth director at a local church for the past four years."
After graduation, he hopes to work for the federal government, preferably in Washington, DC. "I've crafted my coursework and experiences for a variety of related paths, and I'm currently clerking for the Federal Public Defender's Office, which I absolutely love doing!"