Honoring Legacy While Pursuing Law
Growing up, Victoria McCurnin and her two siblings watched their mother dedicate countless hours to pro bono legal work as an associate attorney, often staying up late to prepare cases for clients who couldn’t afford representation. The sudden and tragic passing of her mom during McCurnin’s middle school years left her grappling with intolerable grief that only God could develop into a growing sense of purpose. Her mom’s commitment to justice left a deep imprint on her — not only as a daughter, but as someone in search of pursuing justice within the confines of family law. Now, she’s channeling her mom’s legacy as she studies political science with a pre-law concentration, honoring her mother’s memory as she pursues justice for those whose voices may not always be heard. As McCurnin put it, “I’ve always had a mindset that I’d rather help people than convict them.”
Starting her sophomore year on campus, McCurnin is the recipient of various scholarships including the Mark A. Doughty scholarship for Christian students maintaining a 3.0 average with the intent to become a Christian attorney. She’s also the vice president of two clubs, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) and the Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS). Earlier this year, her involvement with ISI led her to be selected as one of 20 students in the state of California to attend an economics and humanities conference in Seattle, Washington. Last semester, she also helped plan a Jessup Public Policy lecture event on behalf of ISI featuring Regent University Professor Mark David Hall. The lecture discussed historical truths behind America’s founding, as well as offered students and the surrounding community an opportunity to engage with a distinguished scholar regarding pivotal questions about our country’s history. As part of AHS, she is building leadership skills through fostering professional development opportunities and connecting with a network of students, faculty and professionals interested in foreign policy, national security and the art of conducting domestic or foreign state affairs.
McCurnin is also gearing up for added responsibilities on campus this academic year taking the helm as student body president. Involved in student government in high school, McCurnin naturally gravitated toward leadership. She has a few ideas in store for her fellow student body, including developing a program centered around mentorship. “I call it the mentor match program which brings upper and lower classmen together to share resources and help those new to campus understand how to navigate college life more effectively.” She also has plans to create a centralized place for campus-wide information, so students are more in the know. “Sometimes there’s so much happening on campus it’s hard for students to keep track of everything,” McCurnin said. “This idea centers around having information in one centralized location – kind of like a one-stop-shop for student events, clubs and activities.”
Among the notable skills she’s attained from her pre-law studies is the confidence she has garnered when it comes to public speaking. “Before I came here, I was more timid discussing controversial matters,” she said. “Something I’ve had the chance to work on and improve is the ability to confidently defend my point well.”
Having the experience to tour the Placer County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Office during presidential election week last November was another experience that stands out to her. “It was interesting to see how open and transparent the county is in our voting process.” These opportunities coupled with classes like Political Theory and Philosophy and Public Administration have proved memorable in addition to the valuable experience she is gaining supporting the work of Jessup’s Institute for Public Policy (IPP). McCurnin is also a student worker for Jessup’s Public Policy Chair and IPP Director, Pete Constant.
Last May, she was part of Jessup’s Global Outreach team as a member of the Western Europe missions trip. The team worked with Christian Missionary Fellowship International and focused on helping students feel like they “belong before they believe.” The opportunity allowed McCurnin and other Jessup students to engage in discussions with a variety of Christian, atheist and agnostic students. The team also had the opportunity to pray over the city, or other people, as they did street evangelism. “I’m looking forward to going on a trip again,” McCurnin said. “Missions trips definitely impact your perspective and allow you to recognize how big the world really is.”
When she isn’t busy on campus, she’s active in her church interning with their high school youth group, leading small groups on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. She also writes Bible studies, creating opportunities to connect with others and study God’s word.
Recognizing that her faith has led her through many difficult life experiences at a very young age, she gives God all the glory. “I just know that one hundred percent, God has my back,” she said. “It was His plan all along that I would come to Jessup and looking back, I can’t imagine myself not being able to pursue faith and academics in a college setting and for that, I’m so thankful.”
