Originally published on January 11, 2021.
Tasha Williams is a grand exemplar of the proposition that the SUU experience can open unforeseen but greatly appreciated doors to a meaningful future, and that those doors can open at any time in the educational process.
The Davis County, Utah, product took a student position as a reporter for the campus newspaper and wound up on the crime beat, where she found she was interested in criminal justice. Atop that was a summer internship at The Salt Lake Tribune where that interest was fortified and she went on to law school at the University of Utah, then landed a job at Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys. That led to her new position as a judge in the Second District Juvenile Court, which covers Davis, Weber, and Morgan counties.
“As a juvenile court judge, I preside over cases that involve children who are accused of breaking the law and over cases where the state alleges that children are abused, neglected, or dependent…it’s an honor being trusted to make decisions that follow the law and are the best for our families,” she says.
She says she chose the University largely for its personal, attentive environment.
“SUU allowed me to explore numerous opportunities because of the excellent faculty and small atmosphere. I would not have had the opportunity to become editor of The University Journal, to intern with the United States Senate Judiciary Committee and with The Tribune without my experiences and relationships at SUU. These experiences laid the foundation for my experience in law school and my career.”
At SUU, she says she learned she had tough skin, could balance many obligations, and could be a leader.
“SUU taught me how to work hard, how to manage my time, how to push myself to dream bigger, and how to work as part of a team,” she says.
