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Recent Hendrix
College Graduate Dani Brumbelow ’25, a politics major, has been awarded the
2025 Best Undergraduate Paper Award by the Arkansas Political Science
Association for her project, “Pro se Litigations: Determined or Deadly? The
Impact of Self-representation in Craighead and Faulkner Counties.”
Brumbelow
presented her research at the association’s annual conference in February and
was recognized for her data-driven analysis of how legal representation affects
the outcome of civil cases related to orders of protection. Her findings
revealed that in both Craighead and Faulkner counties, having access to a
lawyer significantly improved petitioners’ chances—by as much as 6 to 14
times—of receiving a final order of protection.
“Whether
or not you had a lawyer, even when writing your initial petition made a
difference in whether you were granted a temporary order,” Brumbelow said.
“Legal representation really does matter when someone is trying to get an order
of protection.”
Her
project, which involved collecting and analyzing more than 500 cases, was completed
in conjunction with her internship with Stop Domestic Violence (STOPDV), a
Conway-based nonprofit that provides free legal services and support to
survivors of domestic violence.
“Working
at Stop Domestic Violence was a turning point in my life,” she said. “It showed
me how critical legal access is for people who can’t afford representation.
Sitting in the courtroom and watching the difference it made—and then
confirming that difference through data—really solidified my decision to pursue
a legal career focused on this work.”
Dr. Kim
Maslin, Hendrix professor of politics and Brumbelow’s project advisor,
emphasized the unique strength of a project grounded in both experience and
research.
“One of
the exceptionally cool things about Dani's project is that it actually started
with an internship,” Maslin said. “She did an internship with STOPDV and began
wondering whether the work she was doing was really improving legal outcomes
for victims of domestic violence. In short, Dani was able to demonstrate
empirically with her senior project that the work she had been doing in her
internship actually made a difference in the lives of women in Faulkner
County.”
Her junior
year, Brumbelow completed an internship at Rise House, a shelter in Conway,
after which she began working there as an advocate. This experience sparked Brumbelow’s interest
in domestic violence law, which led her to seek an internship at Stop Domestic
Violence (STOPDV).
Brumbelow
received the W. C. Buthman Prize in Politics for outstanding achievement in her
department during the College’s annual Honors Day Convocation. She graduated
with distinction in politics at Hendrix’s May 17 Commencement ceremony.
“This was
a passion project,” Brumbelow said. “Very little research has been done on
legal representation in order of protection cases, especially in Arkansas. I
hope this work helps generate more interest and support, because these programs
only get funding when we can show that they work.”
Brumbelow
expressed gratitude to her classmates for their peer review support and to Dr.
Maslin who she said, “continuously helped me pivot as things changed during the
research process.” She added, “Winning this award was a great way to end my
senior year at Hendrix. I’m really thankful that others saw the value in this
project, too.”
About Hendrix College
Founded in
1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the
country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning
opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The
Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through
engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of
Purpose