Student Feature: Chase Huffman
Chase is one of our Blue Ridge Fellows. He will be graduating in May of 2025 with a degree in Politics and Economics. Here’s an interview with him on his time working with us.
How did you first encounter Blue Ridge?
During spring of my second year at UVA, I had a study session and two 75 minute lectures in Monroe 130. I sat in the same spot for about three hours every single Monday and Wednesday. Every once in a while, Professor Alexander would come in after my final class with a new speaker—Rafael Mangual, Ken Elzinga, Micah Schwartzman, and more. Exhausted from the previous three hours, I would stay and sit in on the talks and always walk away knowing something new. I’ve intentionally attended dozens of events since then.
The Blue Ridge Center is how I learned about legal careers and met so many legal professionals. As a first-generation college student, these connections proved to be invaluable while trying to figure out what I want to do with my life.
How have you changed (personally or academically) throughout your time here?
After coming to UVA, I noticed how odd my journey here was compared to my classmates’. I came from a high school where students didn’t really go to college, the majority went into the trades or US military. My guidance counselors, nor my parents, gave me any direction when it came to the application process or whether college was right for me.
It was almost midnight on the day applications were due and, in a panicked state, I applied to about five or six schools thinking I wouldn’t get any of them. Lucky for me, one of those schools was UVA.
The first few months at UVA felt like complete “culture shock.” I had gone from a small, non-college-bound school to a large university filled with some of the brightest students from their high schools. While I knew I was on a pre-law track, I felt like my classmates already had a clear vision of the type of lawyer they wanted to become and why. Even though many of them were likely first-year overachievers who’d later change their minds, I still felt behind. But in hindsight, I realize we were all in the same boat. I’m grateful to now call many of those pre-law students close friends.
What’s a piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Calm down! I heard Professor Alexander say this once: “if you want something done fast, ask a busy person.” This is true, but no one ever talks about how much stress busy people operate under to work so efficiently! I would tell myself to do less stuff, but at 100% effort rather than a bunch of stuff at 80% effort.
A fiery passion and intense discipline are great, but if you’re stressed every step of the way, consider another path to get what you want.
What’s one thing you’ll take with you from your time at UVA or with Blue Ridge?
Blue Ridge and UVA have taught me the importance of fueling your intellectual curiosity. The more you ask questions, the more you’ll find a reason to be interested in something. It’s easy to stay within your comfort zone and avoid questions that could lead to uncomfortable answers, but it’s in those tough questions where one is likely to find their true passions.
Favorite thing to do in your free time?
My favorite thing to do in my free time is cook; I make good beef wellington. I also like teaching my dog new tricks, reading about politics, and triathlon training.
Favorite BRC memory?
My favorite BRC memory is the first Supreme Court roundup in Spring of 2023. Prof. Moore, Prof. Mahony, and Prof. Schwartzman shared a revealing overview of the US Supreme Court’s docket at the time. They provided context in areas where necessary and I was able to walk out of the room with a stronger understanding of present-day legal issues. It felt like an introductory course or headstart in order to read more about these issues independently.
That day was also my introduction to BRC pre-law events. Over a hundred people were packed into Monroe 130, and I only knew a handful of them. Now, I can walk into a similar pre-law event and look around the room, proud to see so many students I’ve worked with or met here at UVA. The Blue Ridge Center has played a key role in helping my fraternity and I build stronger connections with each other as well as the entire UVA pre-law community.