Keiara Fort has always wanted a career in which she can advocate for, serve, and empower people with disabilities. After earning her undergraduate degree in communications from Louisiana Tech University in 2014 and her and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern University in 2016, she went to work for LSU as Assistant Director of Disability Services.
After three years of helping LSU students with disabilities register for classes and access accommodations, as well as educating faculty, staff, and students on disability related topics and facilitating workshops, she decided to pursue a law degree so she could further assist those with disabilities in the legal field.
“I chose LSU Law because after having worked for the university for three years, I truly couldn’t have imagined going anywhere else. I knew what support was in place for students and that the legal education I would obtain here would certainly take me far,” said Fort, a Baton Rouge native. “My parents taught me to advocate for myself and my own needs as an individual with visual impairment, so I want to use what I’ve learned to help and empower others.”
During her three years at LSU Law, Fort has been an active member of the Christian Legal Society and she has also participated in many internal and external advocacy competitions. As a third-year law student, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the LSU Law Journal for Social Justice and Policy and a member of the Board of Advocates Executive Committee.
“The best thing about student life in the Law Center is that there are so many ways to get involved so you’re not just consumed with studying,” said Fort, who enjoys cooking, running, traveling with her husband, and serving at her local church in her free time. “The best thing I could have done was find organizations to join that stimulate my interests and allow me to build relationships with people who have similar interests.”
As she celebrates her graduation from LSU Law with family and friends this month and embarks on the next stage in her career, Fort said she is grateful for Paul M. Hebert Law Center donors who have helped her reach this important milestone in her life.
“I would like donors to know that receiving a scholarship of even the smallest amount makes a huge difference to students who are pursuing a very rewarding but costly endeavor,” she said.
Support LSU Law scholarships
To attract and retain a talented student body at LSU Law, we must offer meaningful and nationally competitive scholarships. Every major law school in the country attracts top students through scholarships, and the LSU Law Center is a part of this very competitive environment.
Resident tuition has increased to over $23,000 for first-year students. With fees, room and board, personal costs and transportation, the cost of a legal education may exceed $35,000 per year.
The Law Center works diligently to attract outstanding students, and private scholarship funds are critical to our efforts to provide financial assistance to deserving students.
Learn more about how you can support scholarships at LSU Law.
