PFW helps fire up student’s dream of becoming a lawyer

"Go sit back down, kid," the receptionist told my 7-year-old self with a smirk. My jaw clenched and my face grew hot. So many thoughts were going through my head as I slowly glanced at my father, who spoke no English and looked at me, confused by the situation. I felt helpless. I was there for one main reason: to interpret during the family's government assistance appointment. Yet I was denied."

That moment sparked Mansan Kiim's desire to help fight the wrongs of a system that hurts immigrants.

Purdue University Fort Wayne helped turn that spark into a raging fire.

Kiim, a senior majoring in human services, described the embarrassing incident in a three-page essay she's submitting with law school applications. How many people can point to something that happened when they were 7 years old that changed their life forever-something that has built into the intensity of determination that attending PFW has only refined?

"It wasn't all because of what happened to my parents, because it's been happening ever since, but it was significant," Kiim said. "It was more like the gap I've been seeing throughout my life, and bridging the gap between policies and those with language barriers. It's about having better access, providing better expertise, and being in a better position to help those who need it."

The oldest of four children from Myanmar immigrants, Kiim arrived in Fort Wayne at age 3 and immediately started to learning English when she entered school. As such, she was tasked with translating for her parents at doctor appointments, in restaurants, in various social situations, and during government appointments. As she said in her letter, she was a bridge between two worlds.

"My life revolved around assisting my parents navigate the system, to the point where I memorized my family members' Social Security numbers before knowing multiplication and division," Kiim said.

By the time she was attending high school, Kiim was regularly excused from class to interpret for other families' appointments. She was also quick to defend others from racism, often spending time in the administration offices to explain her actions.

"I guess at that point my counselor was like, `You're just always here to speak up for them,'" Kiim recalled. "She just jokingly said, `You could be a great lawyer.' That planted the seed."

After starting at PFW as a political science major, Kiim switched to Human Services, keeping the political science minor, saying she loves how the department really hears people out. She wanted to help others, Kiim said, and Human Services feels more people-oriented.

She also nurtured her roots on campus, founding the Myanmar Student Association two years ago, and 46 students showed up for the call-out meeting. Not surprisingly, said Alice Jordan, adjunct professor, Kiim never relented until the club was functioning effectively.

"I feel like my mind has always been like that," Kiim said. "No matter how hard it is, I'm going to stick through it until I can see the results," Kiim said. "I do whatever it takes. Even wanting to become a lawyer, it's not about the title but more like a mission."

No one should be surprised.

"I strongly believe Mansan will be successful," said Patricia Eber, chair of the Department of Human Services. "Her interest in law began during her childhood. As a first-generation college student who often interpreted for her parents, she learned early what it means to move through complex systems without a voice. That insight continues to guide her resilience and deep commitment to making sure others are heard."

Kiim's parents eventually had to return to that government office with someone else because Indiana law requires a non-family member of adults to interpret. That law eliminated the daughter's chance to advocate for the father, so the parents had to return with someone else and wait in line again. Kiim remembers feeling insulted, disrespected, and insignificant.

"In that exact moment, I saw how easily individuals in a system are silenced and disrespected due to age, language, and status," Kiim said.

Being a Human Services major has taught her advocacy, a drive to work in community outreach, and to lead initiatives. Kiim wants to challenge policies, improve access to legal systems, and secure justice.

"I am committed to using law school as an empowering bridge, the bridge I wish my younger self was able to lean toward, so that no kid would feel voiceless in a system meant to serve them," Kiim said.