Shelly Chauncy

MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Although I spent 15 years as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency prior to attending law school, I have found that my law degree has allowed me to serve my community and country in ways I was never able to do before. I can openly advocate for the underserved and seek justice for all without the veil of government bureaucracy. My greatest accomplishment has been using my government and legal experience to campaign in the 2018 Democratic primary for the opportunity to run for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District. Being a candidate gave me a public platform to advocate for change in ways that would better serve those in our community who need it the most.

HOW DREXEL HELPED: What I found most inspiring and helpful about Drexel was the open and inclusive environment that faculty and staff created. Professors always had their doors open, whether for a therapy session or career advice. Staff listened to student concerns and helped them advocate for what mattered to them. The Drexel community, in particular the faculty and staff at the Kline School of Law, instilled in me the confidence I needed to make change happen.

WHERE I’ll BE IN FIVE YEARS: As a non-traditional student, I came to Drexel with an established career and life experience. I knew where my life was going to take me before I ever walked through those doors. The law degree and connections I received firmly established the path forward for me. In five years, I will still be advocating for my community within the legal and political realm through my continued connections within the Philadelphia legal and political community.