Shew, Michael Joseph

Stephanie R. Holguin was born and raised in Wyoming and now calls Grand Junction home.  She attended the University of Wyoming and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a Minor in Psychology, magna cum laude, in 2003.  She was selected as one of the “College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Graduates,” and also was chosen as one of the "Outstanding Graduates" from the Department of Criminal Justice in 2003.  She was inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta in 2002 and Phi Beta Kappa in 2003.  While completing her undergraduate studies, Stephanie was actively involved in the community.  She served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Students for Progressive Action from 2002 to 2004.  The primary goal of the organization was to promote higher education, community service, and social and political awareness among Wyoming youth.  

After completing her undergraduate studies, Stephanie moved to Arizona and worked as a Child Protective Services Specialist for several years.  As a Child Protective Services Specialist, she worked in conjunction with the legal, educational, and child welfare systems to facilitate family reunification or to achieve alternative permanency options for children.  She also worked with teens and young adults in the Independent Living Program to promote self-sufficiency, higher education, and healthy life choices. 

Stephanie earned her Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Wyoming College of Law in May, 2012.  She was selected as the 2011-2012 Domestic Violence Clinic Outstanding Student and also as the Clarence A. Brimmer Scholar in 2011.  She was the Vice President of Wyoming Law Students for Equal Justice and the Vice President of the Multicultural Law Student Association.  Stephanie also served as a research assistant for a law school professor, focusing her research on franchisor liability and agency law.  In addition, Stephanie is bilingual, and provided interpretation services for Spanish-speaking clients of the Legal Services Clinic and the Domestic Violence Clinic.