December 12, 2024 By CDHD Congrats, Kira Haile! Please join us in congratulating Kira Haile – our sole graduating student trainee for the fall 2024 semester. The University of Idaho commencement ceremony for the fall semester was held last weekend, and Kira walked the stage to proudly accept her degree – the ultimate mark of a job well done. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Philosophy. Before her final day in the office for the semester, she very kindly provided us a little time to go over her time at the Center and what’s on the books now that she’s a graduate … Kira, I don’t think you’ve been with us that long. When did you start at the Center? Kira: I just started working at the CDHD Fall of this year! But! You’ve already managed to help with so many great things. What project did you work on? Kira: I work with Jen Magelky-Seiler on all kinds of stuff concerning policy and advocacy. This includes CORE, CAC, and OCCW projects. Considering all that important work, what is your proudest achievement from your time at the CDHD? Kira: My proudest achievement from my time at the CDHD is kind of broad. I am just generally proud of the work I have done on longer-term projects. In the past, I have noticed that I lose steam on long-term projects, so working past that with my work at the CDHD has been very rewarding. Do you have a favorite CDHD memory? Kira: My favorite CDHD memory would be watching the full spectrum of emotions other trainees had in response to a discussion about how AI can be used in the workplace, which happened at one of our trainee seminars. Getting to witness every degree of reaction ranging from horror to amusement was a very memorable moment. Ha ha! I’m sure it was a lively discussion. What (in your opinion) is the best reason to become a CDHD student trainee? Kira: I think that the best reason to become a student trainee at the CDHD is having the opportunity to realize how intersectional disability is with all types of career paths. It’s really cool to be able to see how all kinds of trainees from different disciplines are able to contribute to the larger project of the CDHD. This takeaway applies to outside of the CDHD as well, since disability is intersectional, but it’s enlightening to see how this works in the workplace. It’s very true. The work that we do takes many skills and backgrounds. And now that you’ve officially been recognized for gaining a new set of skills, what are your postgraduate plans? Kira: Once I graduate, I plan to take some time off from school while I settle on post-graduation plans and save for grad school. I will continue to work at the CDHD for spring of 2025 in the meantime. I will also be backpacking Europe with my cousin this summer, which I am really excited about! After this, I plan to attend some unspecified law school, hopefully starting in Fall of 2026. As of now, I would love to go into public interest law, with labor/employment law being of particular interest to me. Who knows though! Congratulations, Kira – we are proud of you! We’re excited to see where you’ll go next – you’re sure to accomplish great things as you find your way through this next exciting chapter.