178. Mara (Beverwyk) Christine, Librarian, Teacher, Lawyer
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Mara Christine (formerly Mara Beverwyk) describes her circuitous path, starting with a job at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) in Berkeley, followed by a role in the Oakland public library system. She pursued a library degree in Michigan and returned to New Mexico, where she worked as a school and research librarian. She transitioned to teaching at a Montessori elementary school, earning her certification, and later went to law school at age 46, becoming a prosecutor. A Career Move to Law Mara explains what drew her to the law, and she cites her midlife crisis and...
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177. Kiki Snyder, Assigned Karen at Birth
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Kiki (formerly Karen) Snyder shares her 35-year journey since her breakdown at Harvard, which landed her in restraints at McLean Hospital during exams in 1991. She discusses being misdiagnosed as severely bipolar, the 32 years she lost to toxic psychiatric medications, and the self she rediscovered. "Karen was full of fear and anger. Karen wanted to speak to the manager. But Kiki's in charge now. I am the manager." Learn more about her transformation on Instagram at and at . From Karen to Kiki Kiki elaborates on her transformation from Karen to Kiki. A massage therapist...
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176. Maya Browne, The Road Not Taken
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Maya Browne recounts her senior year at Harvard, including writing her thesis "Idealizing Vision" which was about how magazine editors, photographers, and designers had shaped the ideal female form in the 20th century, and additionally another was an article for Essence magazine about eating disorders. It was the first article of its kind that drew data from women of color, and it won an award called the Excellence in Media Merit Award (EMMA). Writing, Modeling, and Playing Violin Maya describes her first job at Details magazine under James Truman, where she handled...
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175. Chana Gable Selmon, Medicine Without Borders
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Chana Gable Selmon explains she joined Harvard as a transfer student in 1990, overlapping two years with the class of 1992. She graduated in 1993 after completing science requirements due to her history concentration. Chana decided to go to medical school at Cornell, followed by an internship in Emergency Medicine at Bellevue NYU and residency at Harvard. Commuting between Jerusalem and New Jersey Chana had her first child in 2000 and continued working as an ER doctor. She describes her experience as a fourth-year resident at Brooklyn Hospital Center during 9/11. She later ...
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174. Jenny Davidson, Professor of English & Comparative Literature
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Jenny Davidson describes her continued passion for literature, reading, and writing, her interest in primatology, adventures in Tanzania, and her new hobbies. Form and Technique in Powerlifting She details her fitness routine, including powerlifting, running, swimming, triathlon, and yoga. Jenny shares her experience with a longstanding injury affecting her ability to do high-volume aerobic training. Jenny explains the basics of powerlifting, distinguishing it from Olympic lifting. She describes her favorite lift, the deadlift, and the other two main lifts: squat and...
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173. Teresa Nakra, Exploring Music through Culture, Technology, & Creative Coding
The 92 Report
Show Notes Teresa shares her background as a music major at Harvard, focusing on conducting. She discusses her decision to apply for the Michael C. Rockefeller Fellowship to study Indian classical music in India. Teresa describes her year in India, living with a family and studying North Indian classical music. Exploring Indian Classical Music Teresa explains her experience with the violin, which was introduced to Indian classical music by the Portuguese in the 1500s. She details the differences between Western tonal harmony and Indian classical music, including the use of a drone and melodic...
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172. Michael Lim, Physicist, Mentor, Traveler
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Kim Goyette reflects on Michael Lim’s early days at Harvard, starting with their time in Dorm Crew. They met in Lionel Hall and became friends, with Michael being a physics major and Kim a sociology major. Their relationship began tentatively in their sophomore year, with many ups and downs before they officially became a couple by graduation. From Harvard to the University of MIchigan After graduation, Michael went to the University of Michigan for his PhD in physics, while Kim went to Tulane University for her MA in sociology. They maintained their relationship during...
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171. Chuck Hughes, The Road To College
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Chuck Hughes talks about his role on the Harvard Hockey team, being intimidated by recruiting processes and obtaining his teaching certificate while at Harvard. He taught maths, science, and english at a high school. He earned a masters in political science at Boston College. Working in Harvard Admissions Chuck talks about his transition to Harvard Admissions in 1995, influenced by a friend's job offer in Stanford Admissions. He describes his experiences in admissions, including visits to remote areas like Alaska and interactions with diverse applicants. Chuck highlights his...
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170. Jessica (McBee) Kerrigan, CASA Staff and Volunteer
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Jessica Kerrigan (formerly Jessica McBee) shares that she applied for an internship with the American Symphony Orchestra League but didn't get it, leading her to work with the Greater Boston Youth Symphony. She moved to Iowa City to be with her boyfriend, Wade Kerrigan, who was in law school, and worked at American College Testing. Jessica got engaged, married, and moved to Kansas City, where she worked for Andrews McNeil Publishing as a contract administrator. From Publishing to Nonprofit Work Jessica describes her transition from publishing to nonprofit work. She took some time...
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169. Ian F. McNeely, Historian of Knowledge and Dean
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Ian McNeely talks about his academic path, including a PhD in History from the University of Michigan and a position in the Society of Fellows at Harvard. He met his wife at Harvard, and they both found work at the University of Oregon where they became professors. They raised a family and lived there for 24 years. In 2024, Ian moved to UNC Chapel Hill, where he continues as a professor of history and oversees undergraduate education. The Society of Fellows When asked about the Society of Fellows, Ian explains that he thought of it as a mystique during his undergraduate...
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Mara Christine (formerly Mara Beverwyk) describes her circuitous path, starting with a job at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) in Berkeley, followed by a role in the Oakland public library system. She pursued a library degree in Michigan and returned to New Mexico, where she worked as a school and research librarian. She transitioned to teaching at a Montessori elementary school, earning her certification, and later went to law school at age 46, becoming a prosecutor.
A Career Move to Law
Mara explains what drew her to the law, and she cites her midlife crisis and the political climate under Trump as major factors. Mara was inspired by ACLU attorneys helping people affected by the Muslim ban and wanted to expand her impact beyond her Montessori school. She continued teaching while attending law school, commuting long distances, and eventually decided to focus solely on law due to the wear and tear on her truck.
Passing the Bar and Working at a Nonprofit
Mara describes her law school experience as energizing, with a supportive community and accessible professors. She initially focused on environmental justice but faced challenges, including a stroke and a toxic workplace, leading her to a role in disaster law with New Mexico Legal Aid. Mara discusses the challenges of passing the bar exam, including multiple failed attempts. She eventually passed the bar in 2022 and initially worked with an environmental justice nonprofit but found it a toxic workplace.
From Disaster Law to District Attorney
Mara transitioned to disaster law with New Mexico Legal Aid, helping communities affected by wildfires and other climate-related issues. She was laid off after 10 months due to funding fears under the Trump administration and faced a difficult job search in her 50s. A long-time friend encouraged her to apply for a position as a district attorney, which she found fulfilling and aligned with her passion for public interest law.
The Expectations and Reality of being a Prosecutor
Mara explains her role as a district attorney, focusing on helping communities with issues like violence, addiction, and domestic violence. She enjoys being able to support victims and perpetrators through rehabilitation programs and community services. Mara describes the differences between her expectations of being a prosecutor and the reality, noting the importance of constitutional rights and evidence. She also mentions her role in teaching police officers how to write better criminal complaints and ensure legal procedures are followed. Mara reflects on the importance of being a compassionate prosecutor and the support she receives from her colleagues.
Life Lessons as a Librarian and Teacher
Will asks how Mara's work as a librarian has shaped her legal career. Mara highlights the importance of information seeking and disseminating, which she learned as a librarian and teacher. She emphasizes the value of connecting people with resources and information, a skill she still uses in her legal work. Mara credits her teaching experience, particularly with sixth graders, for building her confidence and public speaking skills. She shares a story about a former student now interning with her, illustrating the long-term impact of her teaching.
Knocking on Doors
When asked what is one thing she thinks everyone should try, Mara suggests knocking on doors for a cause, describing it as a humbling and educational experience. Mara reflects on the importance of community engagement and learning about neighborhoods and causes through door-to-door campaigning, and sShe shares a compliment she never forgot.
Harvard Reflections
Mara recalls her freshman English literature survey course and a course on genocide. She fondly remembers her English professor, Helen Vendler, and a professor who shared his personal experience of surviving the Holocaust, both of which had a lasting impact on her.
Timestamps:
00:02: Mara Christine's Career Journey
03:49: Transition from Librarian to Prosecutor
09:42: Challenges and Opportunities in Law School
13:58: Experiences as a District Attorney
19:56: Impact of Librarianship on Legal Career
21:52: Fun Questions and Reflections
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-christine-49b550266/
*AI generated transcript and show notes.