Johnson to attend University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law

File photo shows Michael Johnson posing with his parents after finishing the CNMI Judiciary’s 2022 Pre-Law Summer Program. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Saipan native Michael Johnson has been selected as a graduate degree fellow at the East-West Center for fall 2023.

Johnson, a graduate of Hawai’i Pacific University, will pursue a Juris Doctorate at the University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law while participating in the fellowship program. Johnson is also a graduate of the CNMI Judiciary’s 2022 Pre-law Summer Program.

The highly competitive fellowship program receives thousands of applications from around the world each year. With an acceptance rate of only 5-10%, Johnson’s selection as a fellow highlights his exceptional academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to the center’s mission of promoting better relations and understanding among the people and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States.

As a fellow, Johnson will engage in research and study programs, leadership training and development programs, and network with other fellows and professionals from around the world. “It is an honor and a privilege to be selected for this program,” said Johnson. “I look forward to the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the Asia-Pacific region and to contribute to the center’s mission of fostering better relations and cooperation among peoples.”

This opportunity will be Johnson’s first year attending law school, and he is excited about the prospect of learning more about the field of law and the region he calls home.

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides master’s and doctoral funding for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the United States to participate in educational, cultural, residential community building, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Through team-building activities, leadership development projects and internships, learning about the Asia Pacific region, cultural exchange, educational enrichment gatherings, community service, and service learning projects, EWC graduate degree fellows establish friendships and lifelong ties to a network of people committed to positive change in the Asia Pacific region.

The fellowship covers the cost of tuition and fees for UHM graduate programs, books, housing, and funding toward meals, health insurance, and incidental expenses. Funding for field study and conference presentations is offered during the fellow’s period of study. The fellowship lasts for two years.

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 as a national educational institution, the center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. The center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.

Johnson’s acceptance into the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship represents a prestigious honor and a significant opportunity for his future academic and professional endeavors. (PR)