5 Questions with Xavier Ramirez

In summer 2022, while working in the chambers of a judge on the D.C. Superior Court in the Probate and Tax Division, he came across a case involving someone who needed a guardian appointed to receive a lifesaving surgery. The judge expressed that empathy must be exhibited through the courts and listened to the plaintiff for more than two hours, answering every question they asked.

“It was because of the time that she took to make the plaintiff feel heard that they agreed to receive the guardian, and eventually the surgery as well,” Xavier said. “Watching the judge be able to connect with an individual in that manner and bring such a traditionally imposing system to the plaintiff's level was awe-inspiring. I felt as if I truly saw the power of the law that day, and I hope to help citizens the way the judge did throughout my time with her.”

Xavier has held multiple leadership positions at IU, with Student Government, Funding Board, and the O’Neill School. He also has received awards for his discipline, including the Four Pillars and Civil Scholar awards, and is a Presidential, Hudson & Holland, and Greater Good scholar. Xavier plans to attend law school in support of his passion for creating meaningful change in his work.

Q: What led you to study at IU?

A: I always like to say that IU found me. Coming into college, I was unsure of what I wanted to study, but luckily, a kind IU counselor listened to my passions and recommended I explore the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. As soon as I stepped into the O’Neill School, I fell in love with it. Between the amazing programming, the kind staff, and the incredibly competitive education it offers, O’Neill has always been the right place for me.

Q: What have been some of your favorite experiences during your time here?

A: My favorite experience at IU is easily the Washington Leadership Program, in which students live and work in Washington D.C. for an entire semester. I knew when I first enrolled at IU that I wanted to do this program, and I am so glad I followed my intuition. After being accepted for the second semester of my sophomore year, I obtained an internship with the State Department and was beyond eager to move out to D.C. and take on this new challenge. In the semester I partook in the program, all twenty-one of the participating students lived in the same house, so I became close with everyone in the program.  They were what made my experience so special — every single person in my cohort truly believed in the principle of “leading for the greater good.” No matter if it was a job in the private, public, or non-profit sector, each person showed up with a smile and a determination to make the world a better place than they left it. Having this in common caused all of us to become close friends, and I am forever thankful for that amazing experience.

Despite my favorite IU experience being off campus, I can say without a doubt that it is my extracurriculars that drive me. Being a co-director for the IU Funding Board has been particularly special to me. The Funding Board is an organization with over $1.1 million in student funds that aims to redistribute this funding to campus organizations, empowering them to achieve their dreams through events, conferences, and anything else they can think of. This year, the Funding Board team allowed me to create an internship program for first-year students to gain professional experience and better integration into the IU family. Between lots of planning, revising, and eventually recruiting two amazing interns, I have been able to learn so much about management, delegation, and teamwork. Our interns truly have taught me so much, and I am grateful that they took a chance on this program and me. I am confident that all these skills will transfer well into my future legal education.

Q: How did you find passion at the intersection of human resources and law and public policy?

A: While both of my majors have remained the same throughout college, the focus has shifted. When I entered IU, I was confident that the main degree I would pursue was Human Resources, and I happened to pick up Law and Public Policy because I thought it sounded interesting. However, after diving into the content of the LPP degree and beginning to truly understand the power that law has in affecting the lives of those around us, my passions shifted. I now say that I primarily study Law and Public Policy and continue Human Resources because it is interesting.

While Law and Public Policy and Human Resources may seem like a strange combination, their interconnectivity has served me well many times over. I always like to think that there are two sides to the law: the one on paper and the one in person. Human Resources helps with both. It requires individuals to critically analyze the issues before them, examine all the possibilities of solutions, and thoroughly detail and defend your selected course of action. The law is the same way—whether it be writing a carefully compiled brief or communicating a certain legal decision, the skills are essentially the same. Ultimately, however, it is the critical thinking aspect of Human Resources that goes best. HR presents new kinds of problems every day that I would have never been able to come up with on my own, and developing solutions to those issues has made me a more convicted policy scholar.

Q: Can you share some of your favorite campus places and events?

A: IU has such an amazing campus that it is hard to narrow this question down to a couple of spots, so I think the best way to answer is to categorize them.

You can always find me studying at the IMU. I particularly like spaces where I can find peace of mind, so if I am up early, it means the third floor above Sugar and Spice. But if it's late at night, I like to hide away in the new IU Student Government office. If I am looking for inspiration, I will head over to the O’Neill School. O’Neill has such a great community, and I can always run into someone I know when I walk its halls. Lastly, if I want to relax, you can find me lounging in the fields behind the Alumni Hall.  There are plenty of great campus events, as well! I have been to Latin dance nights, seminars, and much more. The student body here pours incredible work into their passions, and seeing that lived out is truly rewarding.

Q: You’re currently studying at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and you’ve previously studied in Greece. What have you learned while studying abroad? And how has your time overseas shaped your perspective?

A: Studying abroad has taught me countless lessons. Being able to learn about other students' cultures straight from the source is a difficult type of education to obtain and has been so rewarding to experience. Between the Dutch education system, dorms in Zagreb, and traditional French customs, my friends have shown me so much of what makes their countries home.

Furthermore, I have been greatly challenged and thus learned lessons about myself. There is only one other IU student as Erasmus, so I have had to make totally new friends, learn how to be alone, take initiative, and explore opportunities on my own. It has not always been easy, and at times I have wanted to give up and go home, but that is why this experience is so valuable. It provides strength, empathy, and resilience. I hope to take these three attributes and infuse them with my work on campus. Each student has their own story and background, and making sure to never forget this is vital to creating the best possible outcomes, in work and in life.   

Q: Who are some people you’ve loved working with at IU — faculty, students, and staff?

A: This is such a difficult question to answer, because there have been so many amazing mentors and students who have shaped my journey. The beginning of my collegiate career was defined by my participation in the Civic Leader Center, led by Paul Helmke. Professor Helmke has been instrumental in my experience as a student, providing excellent leadership and aiding me in professional development by expanding my network and encouraging me along the way. Furthermore, the Civic Leader Center assistant director, Becky Rosen, is equally amazing in aid and support. She provides critical everyday assistance to over 100 students every year.

I would be completely remiss to not mention my mentor, Cheryl Hughes. Professor Hughes has been the best mentor I could ask for. She meets me where I am and always pushes me to do better than my best. She encouraged me to lead IU’s team in the Purdue HR case competition, and without her, I would have never developed the skills to become a confident speaker. She also allows me to chase my dreams. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and she aids me in writing and delivering lessons to her students. With her supervision and careful consideration of the content I am creating, she gives me the opportunity to gain unparalleled experience at the undergraduate level. I truly do not know what I would do without her.

I also must mention two students who have truly forged my undergraduate experience. Elizabeth Score is one of my best friends and greatest inspirations. No one knows how to chase a dream better than her. She is a fearless leader, a brilliant scholar, and always has my back. No matter what challenge I face, she is always there to face it with me. Elizabeth has wanted to be a lawyer since her youth and was the one who convinced me that the law was the path I wanted to take moving forward. Her recent commitment to the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law on a full tuition scholarship is the perfect exemplification of her work ethic and drive.

Last, but certainly not least, Madison Butler has been another student whom I cannot go without mentioning. She recently aided me in applying for a public policy scholarship. I will remember her immense guidance, mentorship, and most importantly support for the rest of my life. Throughout a very difficult process, she truly went out on a limb for me, and that is a type of kindness that is not easily forgotten. She exemplifies the principles of leadership, kindness, and servitude, and is one of my inspirations not only as a student but as a servant leader.   

There is no better question to conclude with than this one. It is the people who have made IU my home. I am so thankful for everyone who has made an impact on me, and there are so many that if I tried to list them out, this interview would turn into an essay! Some of the most talented, kind, and amazing scholars come to IU, and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this community.