Elizabeth Frankel Fellows Program
Supporting Law Students as they learn to advocate effectively for immigrant children
and families.
About the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship Program
In 2022, the Young Center announced its first annual Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship. The fellowship gives participants the opportunity to spend 10 weeks training to advocate for children, and to carry on the work of honoring the child’s wishes through careful, strategic advocacy.
Fellows will serve as Child Advocates for unaccompanied immigrant children and will conduct legal research, writing under the guidance of Young Center staff within the Child Advocate Program. Fellows will be based in Houston and have the opportunity to spend a week of the Fellowship Program in the Young Center’s Harlingen, TX office to understand how immigration patterns, enforcement, and advocacy play out on the ground along the U.S.- Mexico border. Fellows receive a stipend of $10,000 for 10 weeks.
Carol Harding
Carol is a rising second-year law student at the University of Minnesota Law School. Previously, she taught kindergarten in Baltimore City, where most of her students were recent immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. She also worked as a legal assistant on cases involving sexual violence, developing a trauma-informed skill set that she continued to apply in the classroom. Carol participates in the Child Advocacy and Juvenile Justice Clinic at Minnesota Law and is particularly interested in the intersection of the child welfare and immigration systems, which she is excited to explore further as a fellow.
“I grew up in Egypt, India, and Mexico, and those formative years sparked a lasting curiosity about people’s stories and perspectives. As a teacher, I came to understand each child’s unique strengths and saw firsthand the systemic barriers my immigrant students and their families faced. Those experiences and relationships continue to fuel my desire to work alongside immigrant communities, and I hope to bring the same perseverance, compassion, and optimism that my students brought to the classroom each day.“
Edvin Morales
Edvin Morales is a rising second-year law student at the University of Houston Law Center. As the oldest of six children in a mixed-status family who grew up in the Texas Panhandle, he witnessed firsthand the challenges of the U.S. immigration system and its impact on families. These experiences inspired his commitment to advocating for immigrant communities and pursuing meaningful immigration reform. Before law school, Edvin interned at the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, where he researched immigration policy and supported nonprofit advocacy efforts. He also worked as a legal assistant at RAICES, assisting attorneys who provided legal services to unaccompanied minors. As a fellow, Edvin hopes to expand access to resources and advocacy for individuals in rural communities.
“My personal experience navigating the complex and daunting U.S. immigration system alongside my family fuels my desire to work with immigrant communities. of access to legal resources and education in rural and indigenous communities has motivated me to pursue a legal career as a way to give back to those seeking opportunities for a better life. I hope that one day, individuals and families will be able to navigate the intricacies of the immigration system with ease, dignity, and respect for their rights.“
Mayela Campa-Lopez
Mayela Campa-Lopez is a rising third-year student at Washburn School of Law with a strong interest in immigration law, child welfare, and public interest advocacy. Her interest in immigration law began at a very young age as she witnessed her parents navigate the immigration process and assisted them in preparing for their naturalization exams. Prior to law school, she worked as an English teacher in France and later as a Child Protective Services worker in Kansas. These experiences strengthened her commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Through her legal education and background, she has developed a particular interest in the intersection of immigration and children’s rights. Mayela hopes to use her legal training to advocate for immigrant individuals and families seeking access to justice and opportunity.
“My desire to work with immigrant communities is rooted in my family’s own immigration journey. Watching my parents navigate the legal system and assisting them throughout their path to citizenship gave me firsthand insight into the challenges, uncertainty, and resilience that many immigrant families experience. At a young age, I recognized how fortunate my family was to have the opportunity to obtain lawful status, and I understood that many families do not have the same opportunities or outcomes. That realization inspired me to dedicate my career to helping immigrants access the legal guidance, advocacy, and protections they need to build safe and fulfilling lives in their communities.”
About Elizabeth M. Frankel
Elizabeth M. Frankel (1977-2021) was the first Associate Director of the Young Center. She joined the Young Center in late 2009, as one of three full-time employees, becoming part of a trio of attorneys in Chicago who would develop and implement an entirely new model for advocating for the rights of immigrant children and youth. Today the Young Center has ten offices across the country with more than 130 staff. Liz was involved in the creation and development of each and every office. From 2009 to 2015, Liz taught in the Immigrant Child Advocacy Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. She loved mentoring law students and helping them develop their skills to pursue careers in public interest law or take pro bono cases.
