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By Alex Lyman BA’12

2. F A L L 2 0 1 4 ◆ 1 7
“My mother is an amazing person,“ he said.
“She is driven and accomplishes everything that she
sets her mind to do. She wanted me to have a better
life so she worked long shifts just to be able to have a
roof over my head and food on the table. She instilled
that work ethic in me. If you work hard and put effort
in what you do, you will succeed.”
Tatenda’s mother wasn’t the only strong motivator
in his life. His entire family placed great value on
higher education. His uncle, a teacher, made available
his library of books, which inspired Tatenda as a
child. In particular, he was drawn to reading books on
American history, from the Founding Fathers, to the
Constitution, to John Locke’s Second Treatise of Govern-
ment. These books set the stage for Tatenda’s future
aspirations.
“In my family, going to college was not an option,
it was a must,” Tatenda explained. “Most of my
extended family in Africa went to college and earned
advanced degrees, so I was under pressure not just to
attend college, but also find out what I wanted to do.”
Tatenda went to Northern Essex Community Col-
lege for two years while working full-time at Liberty
Mutual Insurance, and ultimately decided to major in
political science at American International College.
“I enjoyed doing politics and constituency services
because I like helping people reach different govern-
mental agencies to see if their problems could be
solved,” he said. “These experiences were both
rewarding and fulfilling. They definitely contributed to
me pursuing a career in the law.”
Because he worked full-time while he pursued his
baccalaureate degree, Tatenda was not able to partici-
pate in campus activities. He wanted law school to be
a different experience. He immersed himself in study
and practice and found his niche at the Western New
England University School of Law.
“The program is really flexible, and I have been
able to tailor it to my interests,” Tatenda noted. “I
want to learn practical skills that I will use when
I graduate, so I have chosen to participate in the many
moot courts and the Small Business Clinic. I feel that I
learn better by doing and getting the ebb and flow of
practice. The benefits of these programs give students
the skills needed to be practice ready when they grad-
uate and pass the bar. I believe this is the strength of
the School of Law.”
Tatenda has found no shortage of practical experi-
ence at the School of Law. This past summer, he
worked for Dean Eric Gouvin as his research assistant
to update his agency materials on the computer-
assisted legal tutorial website CALI.org. He also had
the opportunity to work for the Massachusetts
Commission Against Discrimination. When classes are
in session, he participates in the Transactional Moot
Court Team, AAJ Trial Team, and Mediation Moot
Court, among other activities. He is the President of
the American Bar Association at the School of Law, the
Treasurer of the Black Law Students Association, and
the 3L representative for the Student Bar Association.
All of these opportunities have not only kept Tatenda
engaged in the School community, but have impressed
upon him the importance of lawyering and serving.
“The aspect of solving people’s problems gives me
a great feeling,” he said. “Helping people is one of the
privileges that comes with being a lawyer. As a lawyer,
when a person comes to you, they might be going
through a life-changing, traumatic event. They are
putting trust in you that you are capable and compe-
tent to help. You realize the benefit as you are given
that responsibility.”
After graduation, Tatenda is interested in pursing a
career in corporate or insurance law. Now a citizen, he
hopes to eventually expand into a political career, and
ultimately, become a senator. While these goals signify
success to many, Tatenda has another view of their
validation.
“I would like to make my mother proud, and
show my appreciation to her for everything that she
has done for me,” he said. ◆
Student Spotlight Tatenda Chitemerere 3L
Perhaps foreshadowing a future in politics, Tatenda Chitemerere was born and raised in
Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, and seat of the country’s government. The capital has
seen both political and economic crises as a result of dissatisfaction with the govern-
ment and its practices. Looking to provide her son with more opportunities, Tatenda’s
mother emigrated to the United States in order to save money for him to later join her.
He fulfilled their dream in January 2000 when he moved to Haverhill, MA.