Michael Tigar Human Rights and Global Justice Cohort
From 2023 to 2025, the Rapoport Center piloted a scholarship and mentoring program for first year University of Texas Law students dedicated to working in human rights and global justice. In 2026, through the generous financial support and active participation of Michael Tigar—as well as donations from his friends, family, and colleagues—the Center formally established the Michael Tigar Human Rights and Global Justice Cohort. Given Michael Tigar’s distinguished career as a human rights lawyer, scholar, and teacher, we are pleased to honor him by empowering the next generation of human rights lawyers in this way.
From the moment they enter law school, Michael Tigar Cohort members are welcomed into a community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are working locally and globally in pursuit of human rights and justice. Members receive scholarships, mentorship, and career guidance tailored to launch their professional journeys. They are selected through a competitive application process on the basis of their background, interest, and commitment. Admitted Texas Law students may apply to the Cohort the summer before their enrollment and successful applicants are notified before new student orientation.
What is the Michael Tigar Human Rights and Global Justice Cohort?
Each member of the Michael Tigar Cohort receives a scholarship of at least $1250 to support their studies at the University of Texas School of Law. These scholarships are funded with the generous support of Michael E. Tigar through the Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffitt Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law and the Charles and Elizabeth Tigar Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law.
The Global Justice Cohort program provided me not just with access to leading human rights scholars and practitioners, but with a community of like-minded individuals passionate about social justice. This program has empowered me to pursue a career in human rights and opened my eyes to pathways and possibilities I hadn’t previously imagined.
— Camille Meshack, J.D. Class of 2027
The Tigar Cohort meets monthly with UT human rights faculty and staff to engage in networking and community-building. These conversations expose the Cohort to the diverse career paths available in this field—from human rights litigation and NGO advocacy to scholarly research and work with intergovernmental organizations.
I am grateful to the Global Justice Cohort and the Rapoport Center community for providing me with support and guidance during my first year at UT Law. Our monthly meetings helped me reconnect with the “why” that brought me to law school.
— Tori Bianco, J.D. Class of 2027
The Rapoport Center matches each member of the Tigar Cohort with a human rights professional to serve as their personal mentor. These mentors are drawn from the alumni of Texas Law as well as the extensive network of human rights advocates who are associated with the Center.
The Global Justice Cohort has provided me invaluable opportunities for learning and networking. Through this program, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of global justice issues, have learned from experts in the profession, and have been empowered to pursue my passion for social justice with confidence and purpose.
– Rooha Hagharmehdiabadi, J.D. Class of 2026
The Rapoport Center connects each Tigar Cohort member with professional opportunities in human rights and global justice that fit their unique interests. Faculty and staff work with the cohort members to identify and secure summer internships and other professional opportunities with human rights NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, and other entities working on global justice.
Being part of the Global Justice Cohort allowed me to connect with fellow students and practitioners in the human rights world. This helped me to understand how diverse this world is and the many paths to launch a career in human rights. Thanks to this program I have a new perspective about the role of law in defending human rights.
— Herbert Girón Lemus, LL.M. Class of 2024
Interested in learning more about the TIGAR Cohort?
The Cohort is coordinated by Cooper Christiancy (JD), Chief of Operations at the Rapoport Center, who has experience working in human rights with the UN and NGOs. He works with a faculty committee including Professor Karen Engle, Minerva House Drysdale Regents Chair in Law and founder & co-director of the Rapoport Center; Professor Elissa Steglich, Clinical Professor and co-director of the Immigration Clinic; and Professor Ariel Dulitzky, Clinical Professor of Law and director of the Human Rights Clinic and the Latin America Initiative.
*****************
Questions? Contact Cooper Christiancy (cchristiancy@law.utexas.edu).
MEET THE 2025-26 TIGAR COHORT
Click on photos below to see bios
 |
 |
 |
| Olivia Baba Recipient of the Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffitt Scholarship |
Catalina FinkielmanBramati Recipient of the Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffitt Scholarship |
Julieta Martínez González |
 |
 |
 |
| Alyssa Green Recipient of the Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffitt Scholarship |
Daniel Iskhakov Recipient of the Charles and Elizabeth Tigar Scholarship |
Muna Khalidi Recipient of the Charles and Elizabeth Tigar Scholarship |
