Grace Guillaume ’26 came to Furman to explore the law

Grace Guillaume ’26 couldn’t see herself as a leader when she first came to Furman University, but becoming a Paladin changes things.

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Guillaume knew she wanted to pursue a career in law. She had several friends who had to navigate civil law proceedings while attending school, and “watching them spend their days in court made me want to dip my toes in any field of law I could,” she said.

When she toured Furman University as a high school senior, she was thrilled to meet Maya Russell, Furman’s pre-law advisor. Russell was well-connected with lawyers throughout the country and was already prepared to help Guillaume navigate her path to law school.

Paladins stay engaged outside the classroom

Guillaume, a politics and international affairs and history double major and Middle Eastern studies minor, had participated in her high school’s debate club and interned at a family law firm before college, but Furman presented her with new opportunities to get involved and step outside of her comfort zone. She joined the Furman Pre-Law Society, became involved in public policy discussions and event coordination through The Riley Institute’s Advance Team, and learned leadership traits through the Shucker Center for Leadership Development. She’s now the Advance Team Lead for The Riley Institute, and vice president of membership experience of Alpha Delta Pi at Furman.

She became president of the pre-law society. When she wasn’t organizing mixers for that organization, she led discussions and networked with state and national political figures through The Riley Institute. Even in her first years at Furman, she found older students were happy to be peer role models, helping her find ways to get involved on and off campus.

“Students have this drive and motivation at Furman that I really haven’t seen many other places,” she said. “I love seeing Paladins reflecting their motivation off one another.”

Alumni network supports student success

From left: Grace Guillaume ’26 moderates a discussion with Soteria Community Development Corporation Executive Director Jerry Blassingame and Furman sociology professor Geniece Crawford Mondé. Photo by Jeremy Fleming ’08.

During a pre-law mixer, Guillaume met Annah Toates ’11, a Greenville attorney and owner of the Toates Law Firm. Toates introduced Guillaume to aspects of law she had never considered. Through an internship at Toates’ firm, Guillaume gained experience drafting deeds and wills, as well as sitting in on consultations.

She saw how well-connected Furman’s alumni are when she attended the annual Law & Society Symposium, hosted by the Charleston Law Review and The Riley Institute.

“I found my confidence through attending events and meeting with people,” she said. “Having a community of alumni has also given me the confidence to network and embrace new opportunities.”

Furman supports students even after graduation

As Guillaume approaches the end of her senior year, she’s exploring her options. She wants to take a growth year before attending law school and is applying for jobs to get experience working for a nonprofit, or as a paralegal.

But she’s not on her own as she prepares for law school. Through the Office of Pre-Professional Advising, Russell is still helping Guillaume and other pre-law students connect with alumni who can offer advice on her law school applications.

“Law school applications open September 1, and her students have everything in by Halloween,” Guillaume said. “We’re on top of it, so it’s a stress-free transition.”

To this day, Guillaume still gets excited when other students ask her how they can get involved in a student organization. She took every opportunity she found to enrich her education by following her passions, and now she’s looking forward to paying back the mentorship and guidance she received at Furman.