Katherine Rifiotis Slivensky graduated in 2019 with a degree in political theory and constitutional democracy from James Madison College. She served as ASMSU president from 2018-19. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Katherine lives in East Lansing and commutes to the University of Michigan where she is studying law.
The following content is part of a larger series titled "Eight years of ASMSU."
In what ways did your time as ASMSU president prepare or inform the work you have done since graduating?
During my time as president, I learned to listen carefully to different stakeholders, to find the core issues and any common ground upon which a coalition could be based. It also required understanding the governance structures and the process to change institutional policies.
Ultimately, it meant articulating and advancing others’ perspectives as your own. This experience informs how I approach the law as a system but also a tool to advance change, and how I see the role of an attorney as a strategic translator for their client.
Is there a particular Madison professor and/or class that really stands out as having been instrumental in shaping your ideas and values?
Professor Petrie played a significant role in shaping my experience at Madison and my decision to serve as ASMSU president. I had two classes with him: One during my first semester at MSU, and the other during the semester I ran for president. These were pivotal moments both academically and personally, and I was fortunate to have his guidance.
That first semester, I remember receiving drafts of my essays that had more red ink on them than typed words. His dedication to improving my writing not only changed how I express myself but also fundamentally changed how I view literary works. My second class with Professor Petrie coincided with Nassar survivors coming forward and the details of Nassar's crimes coming to light.
Professor Petrie helped me reckon with my limitations while also empowering me to be the best student leader I could be. For that, I will be forever grateful. In addition to Professor Petrie, Assistant Dean Jeff Judge and former Dean Sherman Garnett represented the best Madison had to offer when it came to supporting students and helping them succeed.
How has Madison prepared you for a career in law?
One of my earliest memories at Madison was Professor Sykes saying that the JMC curriculum would not give us answers to questions but teach us which questions are worth asking and give us the skills to find any answers. I took that to heart — often finding myself comfortable when dealing with new topics and issues because I know Madison gave me tools to break down complex information and think in a multi-disciplinary manner.
In law school, like at JMC, professors often call on students to answer questions about our readings. Madison prepared me to build strong logical arguments and support them with textual evidence.
Any advice or words of wisdom you'd like to offer JMC students?
People will be enamored with their own solutions — their new idea or proposal. Some people will, rightfully so, fight vigorously for their proposed solutions and defend them despite any criticism. Therefore, it is important to ask yourself and others: “If this is the solution, what is the problem?”
Check that what you or others are advancing will truly solve the issue at hand. This may require thinking deeply about your motivations and challenging your assumptions, but you will always be better off for engaging in this inquiry.