New Partnership Creates Civic Engagement Opportunities for Pre-Law, Political Science, and Criminal Justice Students

Alabama A&M University continues to advance its commitment to high-impact experiential learning with the launch of Civil Rights and Justice for All, a new partnership initiative with the Judge James E. Horton Jr. Legal Learning Center. The program, supported by a $150,000 grant from the Alabama Law Foundation, will officially begin in Fall 2026.

The three-year grant will provide structured experiential learning opportunities for College of Business and Public Affairs students majoring in Pre-Law, Political Science, and Criminal Justice. Through this initiative, students will design and host one signature campus-wide program each semester, fostering informed dialogue surrounding constitutional rights, due process, and civic responsibility.

Strengthening Academic Integration and Student Leadership

Dr. Emerald Jones, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences in the College of Business and Public Affairs, emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the University’s academic mission.

“Civil Rights and Justice for All strengthens our department’s commitment to experiential learning by allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in meaningful, real-world settings,” Jones said. “Our Pre-Law, Political Science, and Criminal Justice students will deepen their understanding of legal systems while developing the leadership and communication skills essential for graduate study and public service careers.”

Beginning in Fall 2026, selected AAMU students will collaborate with the Judge James E. Horton Jr. Legal Learning Center to plan and host one signature campus-wide program each semester. Programs will be delivered on the Alabama A&M University campus and will be open to the student body.

These student-led initiatives will enhance civic literacy while reinforcing Alabama A&M’s longstanding tradition of social responsibility and community engagement.

Advancing Experiential Learning Excellence

Sonya S. Merritt, Director of Experiential Learning Opportunities in the College of Business and Public Affairs, noted that the partnership reflects Alabama A&M’s strategic focus on workforce readiness and applied learning.

“Experiential learning empowers students to translate theory into practice,” Merritt said. “Through Civil Rights and Justice for All, our students will gain hands-on experience in program development, leadership, and civic engagement — all while strengthening the University’s impact beyond the classroom.”

Honoring a Legacy of Justice

The Judge James E. Horton Jr. Legal Learning Center is named for the Alabama jurist who set aside one of the Scottsboro Boys convictions in 1933, underscoring the enduring importance of judicial independence and constitutional integrity. Through this collaboration, Alabama A&M students will play an active role in advancing conversations about justice while preparing for careers in law, government, and public service.

Dr. Brandon A. Owens, Sr., Executive Director of the Legal Learning Center, described the initiative as a meaningful investment in the next generation of civic leaders.

“When students lead conversations about constitutional principles and justice, they develop confidence, clarity, and professional maturity,” Owens said. “This partnership ensures that Alabama A&M students are equipped not only to understand the law, but to engage it thoughtfully and responsibly.”

Launching Fall 2026

Student recruitment and program planning will begin ahead of the Fall 2026 launch. The initiative further advances Alabama A&M University’s strategic emphasis on experiential learning, career preparation, and community-connected scholarship.

Additional details regarding student participation will be announced in the coming months.