When Julia Choi attended Brown University from 2015 to 2019, she developed a commitment to community-engaged learning that shapes her current work. Now an Associate at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP, Choi works with charter schools and public agencies. She draws directly on the lessons she learned and experiences she had at Brown.
“My time at Brown was influential, leading me to major in Education Studies and participate in the Engaged Scholars Program and Community-Based Learning and Research (or CBLR), and ultimately enter law school with the goal of practicing in the education space,” Choi says.
Learning through Community Engagement
Among the most formative experiences during her undergraduate years was Professor Yoko Yamamoto’s Family Engagement in Education course in Fall 2018. The course left a lasting impression on Choi’s understanding of education and social responsibility.
“We have great agency over how we raise our children and in turn the world we live in,” Choi reflects. “Children are shaped by their environments, including the values we teach them, the skills they learn, what they see as ‘normal.’ All of this affects what children, who become adults, later think, say, and do. We have a collective responsibility to each other that is renewed with each generation.”
This emphasis on shared social responsibility and community partnership became central to Choi’s academic and professional development. Through the Engaged Scholarship Certificate, she deepened her understanding of how meaningful collaboration can bridge theory and practice.
Choi’s community-engaged capstone project further strengthened her commitment to public service and legal access. Her undergraduate capstone focused on how local organizations can provide disadvantaged communities greater opportunities to develop legal literacy and self-advocacy skills, shaped by her own experiences serving at a pro bono services organization.
Carrying CBLR into a Legal Career
Today, Choi applies the skills and perspectives she cultivated at Brown in her work as a lawyer. Central among them is a commitment to empathy.
“In our practice, not only do we need to know what our client’s immediate goals are, but also their broader story, and the interests and needs of stakeholders like students, parents, and community members. This inquiry applies in every context—whether we’re drafting new policies for a school, reviewing contracts, evaluating practices, and much more. The CBLR program likewise encourages a way of learning, questioning and interacting with others that emphasizes that kind of understanding and responsiveness.”
Advice for Current Students
Professor Yoko Yamamoto sees Choi’s career path as an example of how community-based learning can shape alumni careers over time.
“CBLR courses invite students to engage deeply with communities while developing practical skills and critical perspectives,” said Professor Yamamoto. “Over time, these experiences often become foundational to alumni careers, equipping them to lead with empathy, collaborate across sectors, and pursue work that advances both professional goals and the public good.”
For students considering CBLR coursework or the Engaged Scholars path, Choi emphasizes the value of integrating academic learning with community engagement.
“The CBLR program offers a unique dimension to the Brown experience by directly connecting the classroom to community service,” she says. “It’s a golden opportunity to meet students across different fields, which can lead to unexpected and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program also provides opportunities for undergraduates to consider how their current studies connect to future endeavors after Brown.”