Aaron Leach

Maggie Hufnagel

Class	2024
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Maine

Favorite Class

Torts

Talk a bit about your classes. What projects, subjects, or experiences have had an impact on you? How does that apply to your field?

I have really enjoyed the immersive aspect of my law classes. We regularly read and annotate cases or write legal briefs, just as we would in a true practice. But it’s the near-acting experiences that mean the most. Having worked on a case all semester in the newly formed Appellate Advocacy class, everyone was instructed to do all of the research, create a brief, and perform an oral argument to a panel of judges (other law professors) as if we were presenting to the Supreme Court. Assignments like this occur in all divisions, as there is such an emphasis on exposing students to the realities and logistics of their chosen fields. It makes the future less scary in the sense that now I have a stronger grasp on how to conduct myself in similar situations.

How have you benefited from the Upside-Down Curriculum so far?

The Upside-Down Curriculum, for me, is the most beneficial part of the Champlain College experience. Being able to work toward my goals every single day since I have started college has only heightened my drive. I now have a much better idea of what being a law student or lawyer entails. There is always an idealized version of whatever dream job you have, and the Upside-Down Curriculum grounds that, while still maintaining the love for the subject you have when entering college.

Have you had opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in your major to experiences outside the classroom?

I participated in the Elevator Pitch competition on campus two years in a row, and this year I won first place in my category. My major focuses a lot on research, preparation, and composure—all of which allowed me to prepare and perform stronger each time I participated in the competition.

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Bronson Leclerc

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Major
Class	2021
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	New Hampshire
Study Abroad	Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Class

Systems Security

Post-Grad Job

Systems Administrator

How do you feel about your professors at Champlain?

The professors at Champlain have all really cared about the students. None of them are there to fail students or to just grade assignments. They all genuinely care and want the students to learn. They are flexible within reason, and are always open to a one-on-one conversation about anything.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding and useful?

I’ve worked on many great projects during my time at Champlain, but if I had to single some out, I would say all of the projects we have worked on in my System’s Security class have been really useful. They are self-directed in the sense that you are assigned an objective and must complete that objective in any way that you can. This has been very useful in preparing us for real life. In the real world, no one will sit down with you and walk you through how to solve a problem. You have to use your resources and think through the problem on your own to find a solution. This class has really helped me to develop those skills.

How has your Champlain experience prepared you for your future career?

Champlain has prepared me for my future career exceptionally well. I have grown as a person and developed many skills that will serve me well in life unrelated to my field. Additionally, my coursework has provided an unbelievable education that will allow me to succeed in my career.The thing that has had the most profound effect on my future career while at Champlain is the Leahy Center. The experience I have received while working at the Leahy Center has been invaluable, and it was the perfect supplement to my coursework and personal development.

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