Meet Cha’Mira L. Keener. While she was a student at Wiley College, she majored in English with a minor in Spanish and History. She graduated in May of 2012 with a 3.96 GPA.  She has been accepted to Law School at South Texas College of Law. After Law School she plans on practicing as a public defense attorney and later becoming a judge.

Q: What was the best thing you’ve learned as a student at Wiley College?

A: The best thing I learned at Wiley College was standing firm in my beliefs amidst the many influences that were clawing for my attention.  This was learned after making mistakes, feeling the backlash of my decisions and putting things in perspective.  When I internalized that I create barriers to my success with my bad decisions, I became more of a critical thinker and a better decision maker.

Q: What would you tell other students who are looking to go to law school after undergraduate school?

A: I would encourage potential law students to find mentors and prayer partners to help guide them through the tough decisions that will be made.  Taking heed to advice of recent graduates and experienced attorneys creates a window in the successful place that we wish to reside. There is nothing more valuable than an informed decision, so advice is much needed through this process to guide us to the best decisions in this new, unfamiliar territory.  I would also tell them to look into the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Program, and other organizations in its likeness to also aid students in their application process.

Q: What would you tell other Christian students who may struggle with their relationship with God while in school?

A:  I would tell students to tie God into their educational lives. God wants to be a part of our entire lives but we have to allow him to be center.  It is very hard to do alone, so I would also advise them to find spiritual partners that can hold them accountable in their walk with God. I had to find a circle of friends that considered my spiritual well-being and that genuinely wanted God in their lives.  Without those friends, it would have been easy to allow my relationship with God to deteriorate and be blind to the blessing that God had in store for me.

Q: What was the key to your scholastic success at Wiley College?

A: The key to my academic success was finding a healthy balance between my social, spiritual and academic life. I wouldn’t allow myself to have fun UNLESS my assignments were complete. I even created an alter ego; There’s me and then I have a “classroom self”.   Most of the friends I did make understood my educational work ethic and pushed me when I got lazy. Ultimately, I told myself I came here to learn and aside from God, everything else was secondary.

Q: What do you think the most important but, is rarely told about the application process to graduate school?

A: I speak from experience when I say the most important thing about the law school application process is that every application is NOT the same.  Although most applications are in one central location (LSAC) and most are identical, there are a few who decide to alter their format.  I made the mistake of assuming they were all the same and selected “NO” to a question about admitting to criminal activity if I were in trouble post-acceptance.  I was still accepted into a great school, but my inattentiveness narrowed my decisions.

Q: Any other comments?

A: In addition, I would say add to the campus atmosphere. There are certain individuals whose presence creates an overwhelming excitement by simply being on campus.  Bring personality, ambition and creativity to your campus.  Be a pleasant force to be reckoned with and bless the campus with your presence.