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Kristen Bonin for 1L Class President

Your Voice, Our Vision

My Platform

Did you know we have a print limit in the library? Did you know there is a first aid kit in the 4th floor mailroom? Do you know that there is a career workshop for 1Ls in October?

I created and currently admin the Unofficial OCU Law Class of 2027 Facebook page in May 2024. We were lost - how do we get building access? Parking permits? Gym access? What's due when? We were all wondering the same thing but had no central voice. I took the challenge on head first, got the answers, then posted them. Over and over again. Through our summer experience and over these last few weeks, I've come to understand the full depth of our responsibilities as students and the School's responsibility as a learning center. Below are the items at the top of my list to address.

YOUR Government, YOUR Issues, YOUR Voice

I firmly believe that class officers exist to solve issues raised by the class. While you can always meet with your section rep or any of the officers at any time, I plan to send out a monthly survey to each student asking questions such as:

Are you having an issue with a classmate/professor/class?
Are there any issues you would like to see addressed?
And so on...

Feedback will be reviewed monthly at our class government meeting, which is open to all.

Fundraising

Our primary goal during our 1L year is to raise money for our class graduation event and any other events we would like to hold. I have several fun ideas that will get the 2L, 3L, and Alumni interested in supporting our class. And of course, I lean on the class for any fundraising ideas that you might have. This is a team effort!

Lunch and Learn Speaker Series

Sometimes we have a 3-hour lunch break. Sometimes it's only 30 minutes. Regardless, let's optimize that time by inviting someone in the judicial community to speak with us about what we care about - our future careers. These sessions will be geared towards the 1L class and will be about 30 minutes long. They'll be announced in advance and planned around our class and fellow sessions.

Getting to Know Each Other at HH

You'll see a number of happy hour (HH) events and get-togethers throughout the year, all designed to allow us to further get to know one another. Our classmates will become our colleagues, our judges, our Congressmen and Women, and our future leaders. It's important to never burn a bridge! Each HH is not just an opportunity to get to know each of us, but to network. Find out our strengths and who you should go to for help or guidance on a particular subject.

Communication

The breakdown in communication has been a serious issue with our 1L class. Events are sometimes posted months in advance with zero follow-up communication until we ask for it usually a week prior to the event. Sometimes these events are only posted two days in advance. Or held during class time. My primary goal is to not just find out the answers, as I have done these past few months, but to put a system in place where we don't have to ask the question at all. Clear, concise communication about everything we 1Ls need to know - especially around who we need to go to for specific questions and situations.

Vending Machines (by popular demand)

Have you been in a situation where you've had to make a meal out of junk from the vending machine because you only have 20 minutes until your next class, are starving, and have zero time to grab something? Me too. Based on classmates I've spoken to already, we need energy drinks (or packets for us to mix with water), more filling and nutritious items such as Nutra-Grain bars, more Cliff Bar options, Protein Bars, Gluten Free Items, Vegan Items, and so on. A Kit-Kat and a Coke doesn't cut it for lunch.

About Me

I'm a Texas girl! Born and Raised in Houston, Texas, a melting pot of cultures (and some fantastic food!), I experienced first-hand what it meant to work together and to try to understand and support one another to accomplish our common goals.

I'm a graduate of San Jacinto Community College where I earned an AA in Business Administration with honors. I then earned a BS in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston - Clear Lake (on Galveston Bay). During my last year of undergrad, I had the incredible opportunity to intern for Boeing Company in Houston where I worked as a software developer. I was blessed to be offered a full-time position following graduation in December of 2004. During my time at Boeing, I earned my MBA with a concentration in International Business.

I worked as a developer for 14 years before I became burned out, just as my professors said I would. So I switched gears and went into Real Estate - Residential, Farm & Ranch, and Unimproved property sales. That's where I found my love for property and contracts. Over the last 7 years, I have closed 83 deals and have worked with countless clients - each one teaching me a lesson in patience, flexibility, leadership, and trust.

I originally came to law school to pursue a career as a real estate attorney. But... you know what they say... After taking Legislation and Regulation in the summer of 2024, I have decided to pursue constitutional law. There's something about working on cases that have a significant impact on all of us that appeals to me.

For fun, I LOVE to cook! I like to think of myself as an amateur chef, always coming up with new recipes and trying new types of food. So I guess you could say I'm a foodie!

I am also a WWII buff, have extensively studied movements like the Holocaust, traveled to 8 countries so far, and wish I could garden in my apartment.

Finally, my dog Bailey resides back home with my parents. It breaks my heart to not be with her but I know it's temporary and for the best.

I live in Downtown OKC so if you're around, give me a shout!

Kristen Bonin for 1L Class President

My Platform

About Me

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