Ava Cunningham is an honors student majoring in Political Science and an individualized major, Law & Inequality. She will be graduating in May 2026. At the University of Connecticut, Ava has been an active member in the UConn Law Society, the President of UConn Mock Trial Society, and a funding staff member of the Undergraduate Student Government. She has an invigorating determination to ensure equal access and fair protection for individuals who are underrepresented in the U.S. Criminal Justice system. Public Defense work is the area of law that Ava is most passionate about pursuing in her future law career. She is eager to make a positive impact on anyone she can. Outside of her academic and legal aspirations, Ava enjoys travelling, walking her dogs, and watching basketball. She loves a long run and reading a good book on the beach.

Internship: Federal Public Defender's Office; District of Connecticut

Ava will be an undergraduate intern, working with the mitigation specialists of the office to interview clients and create social history reports, digest records, and conduct social science research to be written into federal memorandums for sentencing. The internship will require frequent visits to state and federal prisons to interview clients, participation in a 16 hour restorative justice workshop, and observation of the New Haven drug support court program.

Bryanni Fana is a first-generation college student entering her fourth year at the University of Connecticut. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences, following a Pre-Law track. After completing her undergraduate studies, Bryanni plans to attend law school to earn her Juris Doctor degree and become a practicing attorney in either criminal or family law. Her academic and professional interests lie in the intersection of family, human development, and the legal system. She is especially passionate about serving individuals who face barriers to accessing legal representation, including those who cannot afford counsel or legal aid. At UConn, Bryanni has been actively involved in law-related student organizations, including the UConn Law Society and UConn Model United Nations. She has also participated in research projects under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Hayes and Dr. Bandana Purkayastha, exploring topics related to politics and social justice.

Internship: Pre-trail Services; Waterbury, CT

Bryanni’s internship is based in the Pretrial Services Office at the Torrington, Connecticut Courthouse. She works closely with bail commissioners to gain firsthand experience with the criminal arraignment process. Her responsibilities include conducting client interviews, reviewing police records, warrants, and criminal histories, updating client data in criminal databases, and observing court proceedings. Additionally, she assists with jail diversion efforts, supporting clients in applying for and entering rehabilitation programs while guiding them through each step. The internship also offers experiential learning through visits to state and federal prisons, including Garner Correctional Institution, where Bryanni conducts client interviews and learns about rehabilitation and personal development among incarcerated individuals. She frequently interacts with criminal attorneys and judges, further expanding her understanding of the legal field.