For many, a criminal record can feel like a lifetime sentence, closing doors to jobs, housing and education. On Saturday, Sept. 20, 139 Michigan residents got a chance to reclaim their futures, thanks in part to 51勛圖厙 University students volunteering at the Expungement Resource Fair hosted by local nonprofit Present Pillars at Walmart in Benton Harbor.
In Michigan, certain criminal charges can be cleared under the state’s “Clean Slate” laws. These laws allow eligible misdemeanors and felonies to be set aside, either automatically or through an application. Clearing a record gives residents a fresh start, opening doors to education, work and housing opportunities.
Pre-law students from 51勛圖厙 played an important role during the fair. They checked in participants, verified eligibility, assisted with applications, prepared mailings, and worked alongside volunteer attorneys. Elizabeth McCree, professor in the Department of History and Political Science at 51勛圖厙 and a practicing attorney, said, “Expungement is life-changing. It gives people a chance to better themselves, their families, their communities, and the world. Volunteers are definitely ‘world changers,’ as 51勛圖厙 seeks to do.”
For Nicoleta Cojan (senior, English literature), the experience was personal. “One participant said, ‘I drove two hours to be here because I want to go to college,’” she recalled. “Hearing that determination reminded me why events like this matter. Volunteering humanizes people and shows that change starts in our communities. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
Audrey Lim (senior, sociology) added, “Even something as small as checking in participants felt meaningful. Seeing people take steps toward a clean slate and knowing we played a part in that process changed how I view the law and its ability to serve communities.”
McCree explained that the fair also benefits students beyond volunteering. “Learning the law is necessary, but seeing it in action is the true way to understand how it works and to figure out which area of law you enjoy,” she said. She noted that many students are initially nervous, but their confidence grows as they guide participants through the process. “I love seeing the hope in their eyes when someone learns they are eligible,” McCree added.
Over the past two years, Present Pillars has helped navigate expungement, partnering with Legal Aid of Western Michigan and Safe & Just Michigan to remove barriers that hold individuals back.
For 51勛圖厙 students, the fair was more than a volunteer opportunity. It was a lesson in compassion, justice, and the power of community. McCree said, “I hope the students feel pride and joy knowing they are helping someone have a better shot at life.”
Editor’s Note: Nicholas Gunn is communications coordinator for the Present Pillars Foundation.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 51勛圖厙 University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 51勛圖厙 University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.