Online Student Career Changers

Timothy Riffle wears a blue suit and white shirt in front of a wooded background.

August 20, 2026

Meet Jonathan Andrade

Meet Jonathan Andrade, a former Oakland police officer pursuing law school to become a prosecutor and continue serving victims and communities.

Written by: Syracuse Law Communications

David Smeigh wearing a blue suit and green tie in front of a gray background.

August 20, 2026

Meet David Smeigh

Meet David Smeigh, a career Foreign Service officer and Visa Unit Chief pursuing law to bridge the gap between consular processing and immigration law.

Written by: Syracuse Law Communications

Chanda Powell holds up a Syracuse pendant in front of a white background.

August 20, 2026

Meet Chanda Powell

Meet incoming student Chanda Powell, a paralegal and mother of six pursuing a trauma-informed approach to family and criminal law at Syracuse Law.

Written by: Syracuse Law Communications

Jude Ziliak holds his violin while wearing a blue suit in front of a nature background.

August 19, 2026

JDinteractive Program Takes 2L From Concerts to Courtrooms

Syracuse Law JDi student Jude Ziliak externed for a Southern District of NY judge while balancing a career as a professional violinist.

Written by: Caroline Reff

A woman, sitting at a desk in a bright office, looks toward the camera with a soft smile. She is wearing a green blouse and has a laptop in front of her. A Syracuse University pennant hangs on the wall behind her, with plants and office decor completing the background.

October 25, 2024

JDi Program Prepares 3L to Tackle Immigration Issues Half Way Across the World

Phair completes JDi residencies in Rome, Washington, D.C., and London, deepening her focus on international and immigration law.

Written by: Syracuse Law Communications

George Boehme looks up from his laptop and smiles. Behind him is a bookshelf.

October 17, 2024

Retiree’s Next Chapter to Focus on Pro Bono Work to Help Those in Need

George Boehme L’26 jokingly calls himself “the oldest law student in America.” At age 64, after a successful career as a newspaper publisher, he decided to e...

Written by: Caroline Reff

Brooke Hasegawa headshot

July 26, 2024

“Aloha Spirit” and Commitment to Community Helped Alumna Succeed In JDi Program

Brooke Hasegawa-Nakaoka L'22 became the first female JDi graduate to pass the bar, guided by Hawaii's "aloha spirit."

Written by: Caroline Reff

Jason Barnes working on a laptop in a brightly lit conference room

May 3, 2024

Moving From Place to Place, Ex-Marine, Entrepreneur Shifts His Career to Law Thanks to Flexibilty of JDi Program

Jason Barnes L'24, a former Marine artillery officer, earns his J.D. remotely from Hawaii through Syracuse Law's flexible JDi program.

Written by: Caroline Reff

Joseph Creager sits at a laptop and smiles

March 15, 2024

Full-Time U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Fits in Part-Time Study of Law Through JDi Program

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph Creager L'26 pursues his J.D. part-time through Syracuse Law's flexible JDi program while on active duty.

Written by: Caroline Reff