It’s important to have mentors, so I asked Professor Nazune Menka if she could share a little bit about her journey in law and life on the Athabascan Woman Blog. I have followed her educational journey and career and admired her drive and tenacity. Professor Menka was born and raised in Anchorage and Chistochina. She is Koyukon Athabascan and Lumbee.
Professor Menka recently joined the Seattle University School of Law as an Assistant Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Center for Indian Law & Policy. She holds a J.D. from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers School of Law, where she earned a Certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy. In her new role, she will teach and write about Indigenous Peoples and Native Nations, constitutional law, legal history, property law, and environmental law and policy.
Before joining SU Law, Professor Menka held various roles at Berkeley Law, including serving as the Center for Indigenous Law & Justice’s Executive Director, Supervising Attorney in the Environmental Law Clinic, Lecturer, and Tribal Cultural Resources Project Policy Fellow. She has also worked on policy issues in the Alaska and Hawaii state legislatures and has completed various intern and management programs. Read more about her background, published work and other activities from Seattle University.
“If I have any advice to share it would be to stay true to yourself, follow your passions, and to not be afraid of the challenges that arise along your journey. I left a chemistry Ph.D. program, that I’d dedicated several years to but was unhappy in, to go to law school. It wasn’t a popular decision, and it was a bit scary, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made. And I love what I do now. I want that for everyone.” – Nazune Menka
As someone who has just started taking grad school classes, I asked if she had any advice for students.
Nazune’s Pro Tips:
- Get organized: Set up a schedule to stay on track. Break down your schedule into blocks of time when you’re available. If you’re the sharpest in the morning, schedule a time block for focused work.
- Identify how you learn: Understand your learning style. Are you an auditory or visual learner? Play to your strengths. For example, if you’re an auditory learner, listen to recordings while you’re on the go or doing errands to make the most of your time.
- Tackling Reading:
- Define Your Purpose: When tackling extensive readings, it’s important to understand the purpose behind the material. For instance, if you’re reading about environmental law, focus on questions like, “How does this case illustrate the application of the Constitution?” This approach helps maintain focus and enhances comprehension.
- Skimming Strategy: If you’re short on time, start by skimming the readings. Begin by outlining the main sections and subsections of the chapter to get an overview. Identify key points and associated cases in each section.
- Deepen Understanding: After skimming, go back to the readings to fill in details about the cases. Focus on the issues, rules, analyses, and conclusions. Pay attention to the specific legal facts the court emphasizes, and consider why it made its decisions, such as based on policy, law, case precedent, or the Constitution.
- Collaborate for Clarity: This skimming and outlining method will give you a high-level understanding of the material. Participate in class discussions and small group sessions to deepen your comprehension and fill in any gaps.
- Think positively: Shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and bounty. Use positive affirmations like, “I will ace my classes.”
- Do your best: Always strive to give your best effort in everything you do.
- Be on time! Punctuality shows respect for others and helps maximize your learning opportunities, which is especially important in law school.
Enaa baasee’, Professor Menka! I am grateful for her insights and pro tips. She is an example of someone who has continued stepping forward and not given up on her law journey.
