Celebrating the Fifth Cohort of the MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program

On Sept. 25, the fifth cohort of the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs(MORCA)-Georgetown Paralegal Program celebrated a pivotal moment in their lives. 

Thirteen Fellows received their certificates in Paralegal Studies from Georgetown Law, surrounded by their family, friends, Georgetown faculty, staff, and government partners who have supported their journey. Their graduation marked not only the completion of a rigorous 24-week program, but also the beginning of new opportunities for these returning citizens who have dedicated countless hours to understanding the complexities of law. 

The ceremony kicked off with remarks from Georgetown’s Prisons and Justice Initiative (PJI) and Law Center staff, followed by a message from MORCA. The ceremony then moved into a personal story from the keynote speaker, Jake Tapper, CNN’s lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent. Tapper recounted how he and Charles “CJ” Rice, recent Paralegal Program graduate, met in an unlikely way. 

In 2011, at 17 years old, Rice was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. Tapper’s father, who had been Rice’s pediatrician, would later play a crucial role in proving his innocence by providing medical records that demonstrated Rice was physically incapable of committing the crime. Despite his eventual exoneration, Rice spent 12 years in prison. Jake Tapper’s cover story in The Atlantic helped bring CJ’s story to national attention and shed light on the injustices of the legal system. 

Tapper’s remarks at the ceremony highlighted the harsh realities many returning citizens face and emphasized the importance of programs like the MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program in helping individuals rebuild their lives. 

“Your lived experience gives you a powerful and unique perspective. You understand the humanity behind every case file in ways few others can. That empathy, combined with your knowledge and skills, will make you an unstoppable force for change,” Tapper said. “What you do with the educational foundation you’ve built at Georgetown is now in your hands. The same determination and resilience that carried you through this program will guide you through the next phase of your journey.” 

During the ceremony, class representative Mark Ford took the stage with his own powerful message. Ford began his speech with deep gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. Each graduate overcame incredible odds to complete the program, and what they accomplished was no small feat.   

Ford went on to reflect on his experience in the program, highlighting Georgetown’s commitment of cura personalis, a Latin phrase meaning “care for the whole person.” He explained how this central tenet of Georgetown’s approach to education was not just a phrase but something the Fellows experienced first-hand, as the program provided them academic training, genuine care and support for their personal growth and future success. 

Concluding his speech, he encouraged his fellow graduates with a call to action: 

“Graduates, look at us today, in our cap and gowns, receiving our certificates in Paralegal Students from Georgetown Law. From this moment forward, let’s keep our heads held high knowing that we deserve a chance at success,” he said. “To all my fellow graduates, we can make a difference. We can achieve great things. And most of all, we will bring forth positive change.” 

Many graduates are already leading the way for a more inclusive legal profession that embraces the talents of returning citizens. In fact, several graduates have recently secured positions at prestigious law firms and government agencies.

Marc Howard, PJI founder and director, commended the graduates for their inspiring achievements.

“Both as individuals and as a team, you have inspired me and everyone else who has been lucky enough to interact with you,” he said. “In front of your close friends and family, I want to say that we are all so unbelievably proud of you, and happy for you. You have earned this, and you deserve the new futures that you are creating for yourselves.”