A duty to represent the underrepresented

When asked about it, Chandon Pierre didn’t pause. Instead, he spoke with conviction, his past inspiring his dream to make a difference.

As a young African-American man growing up in Reno, Nev., Pierre said he had experienced injustices. Being followed around by store employees while shopping. Hearing racist comments from the crowd while playing basketball in high school.

“I feel like I have a duty to represent the underrepresented,” said Pierre, now a rising junior at the University of North Dakota. “That’s what I want to make out of my career. I want to fight for equal rights and social justice and fair educational and economic opportunities.”

To that end, Pierre is not only getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at UND. He’s also on the fast track to earn his law degree. UND’s Accelerated Bachelor’s/J.D. program allows Pierre to complete both degrees in six years, instead of seven.

Aside from this unique academic opportunity, Pierre said the familial feel of campus swayed his decision to come to UND. He had fielded offers from several universities. “When I got here, it felt like home,” he said. “All the faculty and staff are super helpful. I saw the success alumni have had, and I knew it was a place where I could fit in and be successful.”

Read more of Pierre’s story here.