Ballard uses education, relationships at MSU to prepare for career in criminal defense

BOSTON - Skyler Ballard '24 credits the perspective she gained through classes in both criminal justice and social work during her time at Minot State University.

But the relationships she developed at MSU may have had the greatest influence on her educational trajectory.

Ballard is now in her third year at New England Law | Boston, where she is pursuing a Juris Doctor and preparing for a career in criminal defense. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2027 and plans to take the Massachusetts Bar Exam that July.

Her path to law school began much closer to home.

Ballard graduated from Velva High School in 2020 and spent a year at Lake Region State College, earning her associate degree online during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then transferred to Minot State to pursue a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

"I originally only focused on my degree in criminal justice," she said. "I became interested in social work later on because I felt like I needed something that focused on solutions rather than problems."

She chose Minot State because she wanted to remain close to home and appreciated its smaller campus environment. That close-knit environment helped Ballard build relationships with faculty who shaped her academic path. Criminal justice professor Mitchell Gresham encouraged her to explore social work and connected her with Lacey Corneliusen.

After meeting with Corneliusen, Ballard began working on social work courses into her schedule. She ultimately completed both programs, earning bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and social work in May 2024.

Her decision to add social work stemmed from Ballard's experiences growing up.

"I became interested in the law at a very young age, and I knew that I wanted to help people who were also affected by the criminal justice system because I had seen how awful it can treat people," Ballard said.

Her criminal justice studies gave her a strong understanding of the system, but she wanted a different perspective.

"I was frustrated because I felt like I had seen the problems firsthand, and I didn't need more information on those problems," she said. "I wanted to start talking about solutions."

That combination of criminal justice and social work has become particularly valuable in law school.

Ballard said her criminal justice degree has given her a deeper understanding of the criminal process, while her social work education has strengthened her ability to advocate for clients.

"My social work degree is also extremely helpful because it has aided in my advocacy for clients exponentially," she said. "I am able to interview clients in a way that is respectful of them but also efficient and effective."

She has already had opportunities to put those skills into practice.

"I have been able to make arguments in front of the court on behalf of clients because of my social work degree and how it helped my advocacy skills," Ballard said.

While her academic preparation has been important, Ballard also credits the relationships she formed at Minot State. She remembers professors including Corneliusen, Gresham and Gary Rabe '87, chair of the criminal justice department, as important influences during her time on campus.

She also developed a close relationship with Lisa Dooley, the University's Title IX director. One experience with Dooley stands out: working together to decorate campus during October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"Domestic violence awareness is an extremely passionate topic for Dr. Dooley and me," she said. "So, it was really special to be able to come together and raise awareness around campus, as well as to provide donation spots around campus for the domestic violence shelter."

Minot State also played a role when it came time to apply to law school. Ballard said Gresham helped her refine her applications, particularly her essays.

"I would not have been able to write those essays nearly as well as I did without his guidance," she said.

Now, with her final year of law school underway, Ballard has a clear vision for what comes next. She plans to pursue criminal defense and hopes to work with the Committee for Public Counsel Services in its Public Defender Division in Massachusetts after completing the bar exam.

Her long-term plans extend beyond practicing law. Ballard is considering teaching at a law school while continuing to practice, with the possibility of transitioning to a full-time faculty position later in her career.