Change-maker
Noah began his career working in state offices charged with investigating the Nebraska correctional and child welfare systems and making recommendations for improvement. Now in his third and final year at GW Law, he has already landed a position as first-year associate at international law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s New York City office, to begin in fall 2027. A member of the George Washington Law Review and mentor to other first-generation professionals, he credits his ability to address complex, systemic problems to his undergraduate years at Northwestern.What led you to apply to law school?
After graduating from Northwestern, I wanted to use my degree to make positive change in any way that I could. I began my first career working for the Nebraska Inspector General of Child Welfare (IG), which is an independent government oversight and accountability office created to improve Nebraska’s child welfare system through investigations of programs and the deaths and serious injuries of system-involved children. I came to the office already leaning toward law school, but a specific crisis there crystallized my decision—it showed me that without a law degree, the scope of what I could help change would always be limited by battles I didn’t have the tools to fight.
How would you describe NWC professors?
Northwestern’s professors are the most genuine, kind and intelligent people I have ever met. They facilitate curiosity and walk alongside students as they wrestle with tough questions. Their wisdom and teaching have been invaluable to my personal and professional growth, and I will always be deeply grateful for their investment in my life.
What are the strengths of Northwestern’s political science department?
Not once was I ever told what to think; instead, my political science professors guided me through our class readings and helped me develop the skills necessary to think through complex systems and issues. My professors always encouraged questions and were willing to engage students in the work of understanding how to be a kingdom-driven citizen.