Colleen Murphy has overcome incredible challenges on her journey to the LASSD Boardroom. These include cycles of domestic violence, homelessness, untreated mental health diagnosis, substance use disorder, extreme poverty and multiple incarcerations. Her transformation came when she promised herself that she would transcend these circumstances and dedicate her life to creating more equitable outcomes within our society. She committed to her education, where she knew she belonged to accomplish her dreams.
After years of hardship, Colleen returned to school, attending Grossmont College, when her son was 6 months old. They lived in an apartment subsidized by Father Joe’s Villages rapid rehousing program. She enrolled in Grossmont Justice Scholars, a program dedicated to supporting justice-impacted students. “My goals at that time were modest; do the bare-minimum to complete an AA in Psychology and possibly transfer to a four-year institution.” She had significant barriers when it came to academic success, so she sought support from every possible program, resource, group, and counselor available to her. Colleen became very involved on campus, co-founding the Fighting Recidivism through Education and Empowerment Club, a student organization dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. Colleen graduated from Grossmont with multiple degrees and was accepted to UC San Diego after successfully petitioning an admissions denial.
At UCSD, Colleen became the president of the Underground Scholars Initiative, a student collective dedicated to creating a prison-to-school pipeline for justice-impacted students. Her work as an activist expanded into state and federal policy work on criminal justice reform at the intersection of higher education and coalition building.
Her commitment to advancing the needs of justice-impacted students in the San Diego region did not stop after graduating from UCSD with a double major in sociology and political science. Her course of study in Sociology helped her realize that the circumstances surrounding mass incarceration, addiction, and violence are anything but unique. “As difficult as my path has been, I know that if it were not for these lived experiences, I would not be the undeniably resilient and driven individual I am today.”
Currently in her second year at California Western School of Law (“CWSL”), Colleen balances motherhood, student life, and her impressive support for students continues. In February, Colleen convened her first meeting for a new student organization at CWSL called System Impacted Law Student Association (“SILSA”). Colleen enjoys being a leader and sharing her journey. “Sharing my story openly and honestly has been the single most empowering experience I have ever had.”
LASSD’s Board of Directors is unique in that it includes former clients and client-eligible directors. Not only is Colleen a former client but also worked for LASSD’s Consumer Protection Team as a summer intern. “My experience as a LASSD intern and client has afforded me a deep dive into various of the organization’s practice areas. I can attest to the life-changing impact this law firm has on so many San Diegans. I am deeply honored and look forward to bringing my life experience and enthusiasm for LASSD’s work into the boardroom to support access to justice.”
