Liberal studies grad pursues legal career to champion representation, social change
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
Jack Tess is planning to go to law school — the next step in a journey driven by advocacy, equity and representation.
He worked as a substitute teacher while earning his master’s degree in liberal studies from ASU's College of Integrative Sciences and Arts and has been named a spring 2025 Outstanding Graduate for the school.
Whether working in education or preparing for a future in law, Tess says he’s committed to challenging the systems that hold people back and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and empowered.
“When students feel seen,” Tess said, “they show up differently — and that changes everything.”
For Tess, education is a call to action. Hailing from Danville, California, a suburb of San Francisco, he has long been passionate about activism and equity. That passion came to life through his applied project at ASU, a series of inclusive lesson plans designed to increase representation for marginalized identities in California’s K–12 classrooms.
“I believe in reimagining education — starting with representation,” said Tess. “That means inclusive curriculums, culturally responsive teacher training and making sure every student sees themselves reflected in what they learn.”
Tess’s academic path includes earning undergraduate degrees in liberal studies and women’s and gender studies at Sonoma State University, with minors in philosophy and queer studies. And through ASU Online, he was able to blend his passion for social justice with academic freedom, exploring a wide range of disciplines in ways both personal and purposeful.
According to one of his most influential professors, Associate Teaching Professor Megan Todd in the School of Applied Sciences and Arts, Tess “embodies ASU’s charter through his deep commitment to inclusivity, responsibility to community and advancing the public good.
"Despite facing significant obstacles in his own academic journey, Jack found his voice and built his confidence throughout the Master of Liberal Studies (MLSt) program and is now using his skills and talents to pursue his passion, addressing systemic gaps in education and creating curriculum solutions that reflect and empower all students. His culminating project for the MLSt program exemplifies applied scholarship that seeks to make a difference."
After law school, Tess hopes to use his social justice background and legal training to challenge outdated, discriminatory laws and contribute to creating a more equitable society — one where inclusion isn’t just encouraged, but embedded in public policy.
“I want to be the change I wish to see in the legal system — to honor the law while pushing it to be better.”
Read the below Q&A to learn more about Tess' journey at ASU and his future plans.
Note: Questions and answers edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized liberal studies was right for you?
Answer: It came early on in the program. I’ve always loved learning, but being in a space that let me explore a wide range of topics — from philosophy to social theory — felt incredibly empowering. Liberal studies didn’t try to put me in a box. It let me ask big questions, challenge assumptions and keep growing in every direction.
Q: What surprised you about being an ASU Online student?
A: I thought distance would make me feel disconnected, but it was the opposite. Through Zoom calls, discussion boards and group projects, I built real relationships — not just academic ones, but genuine friendships and professional networks. It changed the way I think about online learning. It’s not about geography, it’s about intention.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: ASU’s commitment to inclusion and innovation really resonated with me. I saw a university that backed up its values with action. The online format gave me the flexibility I needed while still making me feel like part of a vibrant, supportive learning community.
Q: What’s the best advice you’d give to students still in school?
A: Don’t let self-doubt talk you out of your seat at the table. You’re not here by accident. Keep showing up, ask the questions, and give yourself permission to grow — even when it’s messy.
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