Kelli Cigelnik JD/MCEP’26 attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for her undergraduate degree with the original intent of becoming a veterinarian. While studying climate change in her coursework, however, she came to a valuable realization: she needed to shift her goals. “If I were to go into that field, maybe there wouldn’t be a world for animals to live in, theoretically,” she said. “I wanted to do something more action focused.”
Kelli knew she wanted to go into the environmental field. With an interest in law and policy, she became a paralegal at an assisted living facility to gain some understanding of what working in the legal system might look like. The experience cemented law school as her next stage, and after visiting the Vermont Law and Graduate School campus for Admitted Students Day, she decided it was time to take the leap.
The chance to complete her Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Climate and Environmental Policy (MCEP) at the same time was a major draw for Kelli. “I knew I wanted to go into the public sector and having a master’s degree would help me fulfill that goal.”
Embracing Opportunity in a New Community
As a residential student, joining the community in South Royalton was an adjustment. A lifelong Midwesterner, this was Kelli’s first time experiencing the east coast. Having completed her undergraduate degree in a large university setting, the intimacy of a compact and rural community in southern Vermont was also new.
“For one, it’s small—which is a change for me, and something I didn’t really know I liked,” Kelli said. “I love being a part of such a small community and being close to everybody. If you’re going to do something here, it’s probably going to be outside and active in some capacity—and it’s all right in your backyard.”
As a second-year law student (2L), Kelli served as president of the board of Barrister’s Book Shop, an independent nonprofit bookstore operated by students. In her third year of law school, she now serves as the editor-in-chief of Vermont Law Review Vol. 50 and the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law Vol. 27. Kelli credits her professors in the legal writing department, Professor Greg Johnson and Professor Catherine Fregosi JD’16, as starting her down this path.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding in the best ways. It’s nice to have that structure and something to work toward. The editor-in-chief position is an exciting new challenge.”
Academic Success Through Peer Mentorship
Kelli also serves as a mentor with the Academic Success Program (ASP), a department that is specifically designed to help students learn, develop, and apply new skillsets to adapt to the expectations of studying law and policy.
As completing a law degree requires different strategies and methodologies for reading, note-taking, analysis, writing, and organization than an undergraduate or even other graduate degrees, ASP provides students with the tools they need to succeed. The program hosts practical workshops, helps students prepare early for the bar exam, and offers study aids and supplements tailored to individual learning styles and study needs. The Academic Success Program is led by Professor Dayna Smith JD’20 and Katrina Munyon, who serve as director and assistant director, respectively.
“They are such a good team, and are amazing together, honestly. They’re just so smiley, and warm, and welcoming,” Kelli said. “I’m really grateful for them and everything that they’ve provided to me.”
As an ASP mentor, Kelli is available to other students to discuss things like time management, study groups, outlining, case briefing, campus life, or to simply listen and help offset the stressors of law and graduate school. Mentors understand firsthand what is required of students, have already taken many of their mentees’ classes, and often have the inside scoop on what professors expect.
Kelli started taking advantage of ASP resources during her 1L year, hitting it off with a supportive mentor who inspired her to become one herself.
“Law school is hard. You’ve never experienced anything like this…you’re learning a whole different way of learning,” she said. “I think sometimes you just want someone to talk to and someone to understand—like, ‘I’ve been there too.’”
What advice does she have for someone starting off their own law or graduate school journey?
“I think being kind to yourself and protecting your peace is the most important thing,” Kelli said. “Finding out what that is [for you] can be a struggle, but ultimately it’s very valuable to your success in school, and in your own personal development as a professional afterwards.”