Class of 2025: MLS Grad Callie Woolfolk on Life After the Air Force and a Future in Human Rights Law

Name: Callie Woolfolk 
Degree:  Master of Legal Studies, Human Rights Concentration 
Hometown: El Paso, TX 
Undergrad: University of Missouri, class of 2023; Interdisciplinary Studies, Communications Focus 

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What inspired you to pursue an MLS degree?  

I have long been interested in the study of law, and when I started considering areas of study for my master’s degree, I started researching programs that would let me get into that interest. 

Why did you choose Arizona Law for your MLS degree?  

I used to live in Tucson, from about 2008 to 2013, and I have always hoped that I could visit again someday, because I loved living there so much – I was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. I love the Tucson community, and I know that the U of A has deep ties with it. Luckily, I get to come back and visit for a couple of days, for graduation. Arizona Law was one of the programs that I researched when I started looking at furthering my education, and it had exactly what I was looking for, not to mention programs that were structured so perfectly and conveniently for working parents and distance students, like me. If you’re a person that believes in fate or “kismet,” if you will, it just seemed right. 

What has been your favorite class or professor, and why?  

I could no sooner pick a favorite amongst my children than pick a favorite professor, but I will say that the College of Law has some of the best professors I’ve ever had the experience to learn from and the privilege to interact with, that I’ve ever had, in my entire academic experience. As far as classes go, I was always drawn more to the classes that focused on constitutional law and our common law system, mostly because I like knowing how things work and the history behind them. I also really enjoyed the classes that I took that focused on Native American law, as well. 

How has the MLS program helped you grow personally and professionally?  

I have always considered myself to be a pretty organized and put-together person, even when I was in the Air Force. I’m more at ease with schedules and checklists; doing things in a pre-determined order just comes more naturally to me… Don’t get me wrong, as a parent, I’ve long been used to chaos and even welcome it, from time to time. However, the MLS program at Arizona has made me take stock of my habits, on a very fundamental level, and made me learn how to really prioritize things. 

What advice would you give to incoming MLS students?  

Study hard, take plenty of notes, but don’t take yourself too seriously… If you are fortunate enough to be in the MLS program and in Tucson, get out and see things in your community. There is always something going on locally, and so many great points of interest, not too far from Tucson. If you live outside of Tucson and are a distance student like me, learn to step away from the computer, from time to time. Meet your deadlines as you should, and always do your best, but don’t forget to stick your head up, every now and then. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help or let someone know that you have things going on outside of school. The professors here are wonderful and will work with you. 

What are your plans after graduation?  

This is my second go at making a career for myself, the first being nearly two decades as an intelligence analyst with the United States Air Force. Since 2018 however, I’ve been a stay at-home parent, focusing on raising my kids and making sure they’re doing well in school… It may be cliché to say this, but I still want to help people and do something more with my life. This is so different from anything that I did in the military, but I think that the skills I have because of that prior career will help me. I want to work again and do something important. 

How has University of Arizona Law prepared you for your next steps?  

While I’ve always considered myself to be a student of history and attracted to the study of law and its history too, U of A gave me a formal education that I didn’t have before. It not only gave me a skillset that I previously didn’t have, but it expanded my knowledge in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own. 

How do you hope to make a difference in the legal field or in society through your career?  

This one’s hard, mainly because of the subject matter that I focus on, and here’s why… When one of your kids comes to you crying, and after many attempts to drag out the reason why, you finally learn that it’s because she’s scared one of her friends is going to be deported, it makes you angry… and determined. It makes you angry that someone – anyone would make your child cry, and angry that any kids are afraid in this way, but it also makes you determined to find a way so that your kid doesn’t go through this ever again, so that no kids go through this ever again. That’s the kind of difference that I want to make, in any way that I can. 

What will you miss most about your time in the program?  

I think I will miss discussions the most, funny as that may sound… Sometimes I think you learn the most, just by communicating with people and having open discussions, even if it’s a weekly task on the class message boards. 

If you could sum up your MLS experience in one sentence, what would it be?  

Even though it was tough, I had a great time and learned A LOT!