Jheri’ Richards ’25 received the Yvonne L. Smith Award, which was created in honor of the longtime and much-loved administrator of the Board of Student Advisers (BSA), Yvonne Smith, whom decades of students sought out for wisdom and guidance. The award recognizes a graduating student who demonstrated an exemplary dedication to supporting other students while at Harvard Law School.
Selected for her exceptional leadership, skilled mentorship, and commitment to building community, Richards was president of the BSA, a student-led support organization of more than 40 second- and third-year students who mentor and guide first-year students and serve as teaching assistants for the First Year Legal Research & Writing Program. The BSA also administers the Ames Moot Court Competition and the first-year Ames Moot Court program.
Multiple nominators referenced Richards’ devotion to supporting other students. As a first-year student who came to the law school after majoring in psychology as an undergraduate at Yale University, she quickly built a reputation as a classmate who, as one nominator described, was “committed to lifting up those around her and helping out anyone in need.” Another remembered Richards as “a kind of classmate who was quick to send a supportive message after a cold call. She was a strong listener who sectionmates often sought out to unload or de-stress.” Managing that shared stress ultimately brought the section closer together. “Jheri’s kind presence was critical for that community building.”
As a member of the Board of Student Advisers, Richards “helped her 1L mentees navigate a new language of Legal Research and Writing as well as a new social and academic environment,” wrote one nominator. “Students would frequently call or text her personally to ask questions about jobs, student life, and classes. She was extremely skilled at empathizing with their concerns, brainstorming through options, and advising them on opportunities to learn and grow. Jheri’ even became a resource for other BSAs and their mentees who craved her insight.”
Richards is celebrated for her skillful tenure as BSA president and for the array of improvements she championed to ensure that the organization, and the Ames Competition, run smoothly and in service of all.
Her commitment to and skill in community building shine through so many nominations. As one classmate wrote, “Most importantly, Jheri’ transformed the internal culture of the BSA from a loose group of peer advisers to a tight knit community. … I cannot stress enough what a transformational effect this had on the BSA’s ability to mentor and advise our 1Ls. Knowing our fellow BSAs better, we have been better able to draw on each other’s strengths and experiences, connecting students to more resources and perspectives. Being able to lean on each other for emotional support has staved off burnout. And the knowledge that if an issue arises, Jheri’ will unconditionally have our backs allows us to focus all our attention on our students. The BSA has become a family because of Jheri’, and the entire school has reaped the benefits.”
Reflecting on her time with the BSA, Richards described the experience as deeply meaningful. “It was really an amazing way to stay grounded at the law school and to give back to students,” she said.
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