{"id":16219,"date":"2025-07-23T21:41:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T21:41:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsletters.asucollegeoflaw.com\/ilp\/?p=16219"},"modified":"2025-08-11T18:50:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T18:50:25","slug":"where-are-they-now-feat-lena-jackson-eckert-mls-08","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/newsletters.asucollegeoflaw.com\/ilp\/2025\/07\/23\/where-are-they-now-feat-lena-jackson-eckert-mls-08\/","title":{"rendered":"Where are they now? Feat. Lena Jackson-Eckert (MLS \u201908)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A graduate of ASU Law\u2019s Master of Legal Studies program, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Lena Jackson-Eckert now serves as assistant community manager for SRPMIC, where she oversees several key tribal government departments, including Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on her journey, Jackson-Eckert said, \u201cI think it\u2019s pretty cool to be able to say I went to ASU Law. I made relationships I still have today, and I see people from my cohort doing awesome work all over the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her path illustrates how the MLS can deepen existing experience, provide practical tools for leadership, and foster a community of peers committed to serving Indian Country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After working as an advocate in the tribal prosecutor\u2019s office, Jackson-Eckert decided to pursue the MLS to strengthen her understanding of legal systems and better support her community. She graduated in 2008 as part of the program\u2019s inaugural cohort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although she entered the program with courtroom experience and a strong grasp of criminal law, Jackson-Eckert found particular value in the Indian law courses. One standout was a Native American health care law class taught by visiting professor Dr. Donald Warne, whose teachings continue to inform her work with Indian Health Services and the operation of Salt River\u2019s tribally run health clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are only a handful of experts in this area,\u201d she said. Having access to that kind of knowledge was \u201cincredibly meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson-Eckert completed her MLS while working full time, thanks to a supportive supervisor and access to education leave. She encourages prospective students\u2014especially those working in tribal government\u2014to pursue the MLS if they have a strong support system in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The degree directly contributed to her professional growth. Jackson-Eckert had long aimed to oversee multiple departments, and the position she holds today required a master\u2019s degree. The MLS not only fulfilled that requirement, but also enhanced her ability to navigate legal systems more effectively\u2014sharpening her skills in reading codes, understanding legal language, and working closely with tribal attorneys.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A graduate of ASU Law\u2019s Master of Legal Studies program, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Lena Jackson-Eckert now serves as assistant community manager for SRPMIC, where she oversees several key tribal government departments, including Health and Human Services. Reflecting … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alumni","category-mls"],"yoast_head":"\nWhere are they now? Feat. 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