MFIA Welcomes 2026–27 Student Directors

The Media Freedom and Information Access (MFIA) Clinic announced next year’s student directors: second-year students Grace Chisholm, Jeanica Geneus, and Catharine Strong. 

Chisholm hails from Fairway, Kansas — a suburb of Kansas City. The character of the American Midwest has guided her life. “Kindness and community are core values that shaped my early years and continue to drive how I see the world and strive to interact with those around me,” she said. Chisholm’s family embodied those values in their unwavering support for her eclectic interests — including sports, music, journalism, and theater. 

Geneus also experienced a diverse childhood that continues to guide her. “I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York, which has shaped my entire being,” she said. Geneus believes that her exposure to a variety of cultures and people has strengthened her abilities as an advocate. Strong hails from Brooklyn, too, which has fostered her deep-seated appreciation for public transportation. “I have a driver’s license that I'm not actually sure I know how to use,” she joked. 

Each of the incoming student directors came to Yale Law School from a different vocational background. After college, Chisholm served as a public services consultant for the federal government. “I loved the process of integrating into new teams and proactively identifying and solving problems to achieve longer-term objectives,” she added. That sort of strategic thinking to advance client goals allowed her to realize that law school was right for her. 

Geneus also served as a consultant, managing clients for McKinsey & Co. She, however, specialized in public health data and analytics systems as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Developing these systems was crucial during the pandemic to provide the department and local residents with data concerning cases, hospitalizations, and deaths,” she explained. “They also communicated vaccination rates post-pandemic to assist local health departments in best allocating resources to communities with high barriers to health.” 

Strong came from publishing. “Prior to law school I spent about six years working in the book publishing industry, primarily as an associate agent at a literary agency,” she said. 

Each of the incoming student directors has also walked a different path to a career in law. Geneus has wanted to become an attorney since she was 10 years old. “As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, I was always set out to be resourceful, whether it be translating for my grandparents or helping my parents navigate new forms of technology,” she remarked. She hopes to embody the traditional role of the lawyer as an advocate. Geneus believes law school will empower her with the expertise necessary to represent people across the country and keep their best interests in mind. 

Chisholm first became interested in law while at school. Her work as a consultant ignited that passion. “As a consultant, I realized that, in becoming a lawyer, I would be able to combine my passions for research and strategy to achieve high-impact, concrete outcomes for my clients,” she said. “The chance to make real change on the ground through advocacy was exciting and motivating.” Chisholm’s experiences led her to join MFIA in particular. “As a former high-school journalist and free speech nerd, I want to use my law degree to defend transparency, government accountability, and freedom of speech and of the press,” she added. She feels that Yale Law School and MFIA are the perfect fit. 

Strong’s path to law school proved more incidental. “All of my favorite parts of my old job were law-adjacent, so I figured law school was the place to go,” she explained. 

Chisholm’s enthusiasm for MFIA underlies her plan to continue working in free media. “I plan to pursue a litigation career after graduation and hope to remain involved in media law and First Amendment work,” she said. Geneus has similar plans. “I am interested in media and entertainment law, with my time at MFIA growing my interest in the field. I plan to work in the sector at a law firm after graduation,” she explained. Strong is excited for her summer associateship at the New York office of the white-shoe firm Jenner & Block, which remains active in corporate litigation, business transactions, and public fields. 

Outside of the classroom, the incoming student directors also enjoy a wide range of hobbies. Chisholm likes pickleball. “I often play with my family when I’m back home in Kansas City,” she said. Chisholm also serves on the board of Yale Law’s Pickleball Society (PBS). Geneus enjoys fashion and Pilates. Strong likes to spend time with her sister, who is her twin.