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LL.M. in Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law

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Our Students

Gisela Abastos

"I chose to pursue the LL.M. in Human Rights at American University because I was seeking a solid education with a practical and international approach that would allow me to deepen my work in defending vulnerable populations and migrants. My previous professional experience as an attorney in my home country (Peru), working on advisory matters related to women’s rights and people in vulnerable situations, as well as providing volunteer support to the National Police at the police station in my district, was decisive in my decision to pursue this LL.M. I wanted to strengthen my legal and strategic tools in order to generate a more structural impact on public policy. The program has allowed me to broaden my perspective, connect with professionals from different parts of the world, and strengthen my commitment to justice and human rights. Thanks to the scholarship granted by the University, I am able to make this professional aspiration a reality."

Cindy Castrellon Gutierrez

“Six years ago, I moved to the United States with a clear purpose: to become an attorney in this country. While nearly eight months pregnant with my third child, I received the OAS scholarship—an opportunity that transformed that purpose into a concrete path. Just six weeks after my C-section, I began my LL.M. in Human Rights, taking on the challenge of graduate studies with determination and deep gratitude. I chose to pursue the program full-time, leaving my job as a paralegal and continuing to support my family through my real estate and notary licenses in Maryland. Studying law at the LL.M. level in English strengthened my discipline, sharpened my legal reasoning, and solidified my confidence. Courses such as Human Trafficking, U.S. Constitutional Law, Human Rights, National Security Law, and U.S. Contracts have shaped my vision as a future attorney committed to justice. This LL.M. reaffirmed my commitment to practice law with excellence and integrity, using the law as a tool for transformation to protect human dignity, strengthen the rule of law, and contribute to building more just societies for future generations.”

 

Alejandra Jacome

“As a public servant, I am convinced that ongoing education is not an option but a responsibility. Those of us who take part in the judicial function must prepare ourselves with rigor and depth, because every decision and every judgment directly impact people’s rights and lives. Being part of the LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law not only strengthens my professional development as a Senior Judicial Clerk in a Court, but also reaffirms my commitment to justice aligned with international standards; meanwhile, pursuing my studies at American University allows me to turn knowledge into concrete tools for those who require enhanced protection and to contribute, from the judicial function, to a more humane, more inclusive justice system with a truly transformative vocation.”

Carla Lagemann

"I have professional experience in both the public legal sector and the humanitarian sector, including work with the United Nations and refugee support initiatives. These roles have given me practical insight into applying law and policy in international contexts and strengthened my commitment to addressing global challenges. I also hold dual Bachelor's degrees in International Relations and Law, which have allowed me to explore legal frameworks from an international perspective and build a strong foundation for this work. I chose this program because of its unique focus on international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as the expertise of its faculty. My experience so far has been very rewarding — the professors are highly knowledgeable, and classroom discussions are enriched by students from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. Receiving the OAS scholarship has been invaluable, helping to ease the financial burden of the program and allowing me to focus fully on my studies and professional development."

Alejandro Maganda

"My name is Alejandro Maganda Aguila. I am 29 years old and I am from Tamaulipas, Mexico. Pursuing and L.L.M. In Human Rights is deeply meaningful to me, as it strengthens my ability to contribute to the protection of fundamental rights through my professional work.

I am honored to be the first beneficiaty of the recently established OAS/AUWCL Scholarship for OAS Staff and Missions personnel. This opportunity has enabled me to pursue this program while further developing the skills needed to advance justice within the Inter-American system.

My experience in the LL.M. Program has been both enriching and transformative, reinforcing my commitment to promoting accountability, strenghening the rule of law, and supporting human rights at both the national and international levels. Through this program, I am refining my legal knowledge and equipping myself to make a more effective and lasting contribution to the field."

Jovani Monexil

"I am a practicing attorney, advising nonprofit charitable organizations that are actively serving individuals and families in need within our communities. I find this work deeply fulfilling because it allows me to contribute to the tangible impact in our communities. But what even led me to have a passion for that type of work was my core foundation long before I ever considered a formal program of study. Which is my family’s Haitian heritage. Haiti is a nation whose history has often placed it at the center of international conversations about human dignity and global responsibility. Because of that foundation, I have always felt a deep sense of purpose in serving people who are vulnerable or are facing peril. I am fulfilled by the idea that legal training can be a tool for not just winning arguments, but for protecting lives and helping communities stand on firmer ground. That motivation originally led me to explore the international arbitration program when I was considering my LL.M. studies at American University Washington College of Law, because I initially imagined advocating on behalf of governments in developing nations and supporting them in navigating complex international disputes. Over time, I realized that the impact I want to make requires not only advocacy skills, but also a more comprehensive understanding of the human conditions that drive instability and injustice. That is why I chose this program instead. I wanted grounding in the legal frameworks and practical realities that shape humanitarian crises, so that my work is truly responsive to what people experience on the ground. I chose American University Washington College of Law because of its exceptional reputation in this area, the caliber of experts who teach and mentor students, and the access it provides to invaluable resources and networks. For me, this program is the most aligned path to becoming the kind of advocate my personal values demand."

Abby Richardson

“In 2002, I entered WCL as a first- year law student and recipient of the Public Interest/Public Service Scholarship (PIPS). The PIPS program, along with all the other myriad public interest courses and opportunities available to WCL students, helped me transition from my previous work in international human rights to domestic civil rights work – work that I did for nearly two decades.  Now, over twenty years later, I am again benefiting from WCL’s public interest orientation as a LLM student in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. I am returning to my roots, both at the law school that launched my legal career decades ago and in the subject area that first drew me to the law. I continue to be thankful for all of the opportunities to explore the various facets of public interest work made possible by my WCL education.”

Getachew Temare

"Receiving the LL.M. scholarship from American University Washington College of Law has been a moment of recognition that reaches beyond financial support, affirming a long path of effort, resilience, and purpose, and giving that journey renewed meaning and direction in my life. As a person living with a disability, an immigrant, and a person of color, I have encountered legal systems not as abstract frameworks but as decisive forces that determine who is protected, who is heard, and who is left to navigate uncertainty alone. I have experienced the weight of structural barriers, including the challenge of rebuilding an entire life, let alone a professional career, in a new country while confronting financial, social, and accessibility constraints. The LLM scholarship has eased those pressures and enabled me to engage in the LL.M. program with full intellectual focus. More importantly, it reflects the understanding that rigorous legal training informed by lived experience is not peripheral to human rights law, but essential to its credibility, depth, and continued development. My pursuit of the LL.M. in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law builds upon sustained work as a human rights defender and legal advocate. Across contexts shaped by displacement, conflict, and inequality, I have witnessed how the language of rights can inspire, yet only disciplined legal strategy can secure durable protection. The human rights field today operates under significant strain, facing political backlash, shrinking civic space, and layered global crises. That reality does not weaken the work; it sharpens its urgency. The LL.M. scholarship made possible through Washington College of Law’s support, strengthens my ability to work at the intersection of advocacy and law with analytical rigor and strategic precision. It represents a critical step toward qualifying as a human rights attorney in the United States, enabling me to bring transnational legal experience, intersectional insight, and disciplined advocacy into spaces where protection must be carefully argued, firmly defended, and ultimately made real."