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Marita Alexander, BA Law, Crime and Justice Studies

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Growing up as an Indigenous person in the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ foster care system, Marita is determined to break the cycles of poverty and addiction and to challenge assumptions. With the support of her foster mom, siblings and chosen family, Marita’s self-determination, perseverance and commitment to social justice have led her to where she is today.

Grateful for the support of the Augustana community and the many connections made here, Marita has left a lasting impression. She co-founded and served as acting president of the , where she helped create a welcoming space for students to engage around a common interest and strengthen ties with the people of Camrose.

While Marita is graduating from Law, Crime and Justice Studies, her journey is just beginning. Next year, she will be pursuing an accelerated law degree in Glasgow, Scotland.

Congratulations, Marita!

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A Augustana for your studies?

I chose to study Law, Crime and Justice Studies at U of A Augustana because it offered a truly interdisciplinary approach that allowed me to explore my interests through various lenses: sociology, psychology, criminology and political science. I’ve always had a strong desire to understand the complex relationship between people, law and society, and this program gave me the tools to do exactly that. Augustana stood out to me not only as a campus of the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, known for its academic excellence, but also for its supportive environment and the freedom it gave me to shape my own educational journey.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at Augustana?

One of my favourite memories from Augustana is the amazing community of people I met: lifelong friends, teammates, my future bridesmaids and my partner. In 2024, I was hospitalized with a serious sepsis infection, and during that time, the outpouring of support from the Augustana community deeply moved me. That experience reminded me just how fortunate I am to be part of such a caring, tight-knit community. It was in that moment that I truly understood what love, support and belonging meant.

Tell us about your favourite professor/lecturer and/or class.

My favourite class with one of my favourite professors, , was AUCRI 224: Sociology of Deviant Behaviour. This course was both thought-provoking and transformative. We participated in breaching experiments that challenged us to break societal norms and experience stigma and what it feels like to be viewed as deviant or "other." For our course project, myself and a group of female students decided to legally attend a public swim topless; an act permitted by law, yet still considered socially transgressive. The aim of our experiment was to critically examine the oversexualization of women’s bodies, particularly within a Western sociocultural context where the female breast, despite not being a sexual organ, is often constructed as inherently sexual. Our project explored the gendered nature of bodily regulation and the social mechanisms that police women’s presence in public space. The experience offered a powerful, embodied insight into how norms govern behaviour, reinforce gendered expectations and produce deviance. It challenged both participants and observers to confront their assumptions, and it deepened our understanding of sociological theory by translating it into lived, experiential knowledge.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student, either on campus or in the Camrose community? 

Yes, during my final year at Augustana, I had the privilege of co-founding and serving as the acting president of the Law, Crime and Justice Club. Our goal was to create a space where students interested in legal studies, criminology and social justice could connect, learn and engage with the world around them. Throughout the year, we hosted several engaging and community-driven events, including a U.S. Election Night Watch Party at Fox & Fable and a highly successful True Crime Trivia Night to close out the academic year. That event, held just before finals, brought together students from all disciplines for an evening of fun and connection. We were proud to partner with local businesses to provide prizes and support, which helped strengthen ties between Augustana and the Camrose community. Our efforts were recognized when the club received the Best New Club award at the Augustana Student Life Awards.

How did you get where you are today?

Self-determination has been the cornerstone of my journey. Growing up in the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ foster care system, I was determined to break the cycles of poverty and addiction; not just for myself, but to challenge the assumptions others had made about me because of my background and my identity as an Indigenous woman. I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have the support of my foster mom, my siblings and my chosen family, who have all believed in me and stood by my side throughout my education and my life.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

Get involved in everything you can. Every opportunity, whether it’s academic, social or extracurricular, is a chance to grow, learn and build lasting connections. Don’t settle for simply getting through your studies; strive to thrive, contribute and leave your mark.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I plan to celebrate convocation surrounded by the people who have stood by me through the toughest parts of this journey; the ones who believed in me when others didn’t. It’s a moment I want to share with those who helped make it possible.

What's next after graduation?

I am more than thrilled that I am heading to law school in Glasgow, Scotland, where I’ll be completing an accelerated law degree. If all goes according to plan, I’ll graduate with my law degree by the age of 23. It’s a big step, but one I’m incredibly excited to take as I continue building the life I’ve always dreamed of.