“So, it’s kind of a funny story in that people had said, ‘Oh, you should go to Muskingum,’ and I was like, ‘No, I want to go somewhere else.’ I actually did a year at Denison and then ended up transferring because Denison was very expensive, even with my scholarship, but also, it didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” Jillian said. “So, I knew people that were students at Muskingum, and they said, ‘You know, you should really give it another look.’ It is one of those things where sometimes people know you better than you want to admit.”

Jillian transferred to Muskingum, where she majored in theatre and political science with minors in English and history. She was also involved in many organizations on campus.

“I was in a sorority [Alpha Sigma Alpha], and then I worked in the Political Science Department as a student aide or department assistant. And then I was also on the technical staff for the Theatre Department. So, I was like the student worker in charge of all their costumes,” she said.

Jillian graduated from Muskingum in 2009 with her Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude with majors in political science and theatre. After she graduated, she always knew she wanted to continue her education in law school.

“Law school was always on the table because in high school, we had a mock trial program, and I really, really loved it. So, it seemed like a natural combination of all the things I enjoyed doing.” 

“Oh, it is definitely helping people. Sometimes we lose, or sometimes I have to give them bad news, but the times when, especially in estate planning or adoption, where we get across the finish line, something like that is a great day. When I get to make people happy or relieved about something, that is a good day for me,” said Jillian.

Through her being a lawyer and helping people in her community, she found a way to volunteer her time to give back through Legal Aid clinics. “Getting a lawyer is expensive. One of the biggest problems the legal community sees is a lack of access to legal support due to financial burdens. This is an opportunity for folks that are at or below the poverty line to come and receive some sort of legal services for free.”

Jillian is also the President of the Zanesville Community Theatre Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.
Throughout her life, theatre has been exceptionally important to her, and she is proud that she is continuing to provide those same opportunities to kids in her community.

“Some of the things I am most proud of are the opportunities and connections with kids and creating safe places for them in theatre. Especially in the last few years, things have been really scary for kids who are different and really scary for people who are different or are not the majority, so we have a place where kids come and feel safe, people come and feel safe,” said Jillian.

She is also the President of the Board of Directors of the Zanesville Pride Group, which she helped establish three years ago and has continued to grow its presence in Southeastern Ohio.

“It is just wonderful for people to realize there is support in communities this size. So, I think that is how acceptance and confidence grow, is if you realize that you don’t necessarily have to be afraid,” Jillian said. “Standing in my community saying, ‘You have all known me my whole life, and you know I am a good person, and who I happen to be married to doesn’t change who I am as a person. So, if you know me and love me, you can know and love anyone. It’s OK’.”

She has experienced many opportunities throughout her life that have shaped her into the person, wife, friend, and colleague that she is today. Through this wisdom, she has advice for current and future students at Muskingum University.

“The biggest thing is, appreciate your time there so much because college, in particular, is this wonderful blend of you as an adult, you have some autonomy and freedom, but you don’t have all the adult responsibilities."