Four questions with General Counsel Jessica Weare

January 7, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 9)

Jessica Weare portrait in dark jacket and light shirt

Jessica Weare, general counsel

Photo Credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills

Jessica Weare joined Grand Valley in late October as general counsel following a long career in public service that includes several State of Michigan positions. 

In her state government positions, Weare advised on a variety of legal and compliance issues, including issues related to economic development, education, infrastructure, emergency response, civil rights, natural resources, elections and Tribal relations. Below Weare discusses her career path, formative years as an undergraduate student and her impressive skills in the kitchen.

Why did you want to become an attorney? Did you ever have another career path in mind?
When I was a child, people regularly told me that I would be a lawyer someday. I don’t think that this was always meant as a compliment! In all honesty, I didn’t really understand what it meant to be a lawyer, as I didn’t know any real-life lawyers.  

During college, I became interested in international relations, economic development, international organizations (yay, Model United Nations!) and international trade. I had some incredible opportunities, including interning at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, living with a host family in Tanzania, interning at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria and with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. I thought that my next step would be an advanced degree in international affairs and that I might join the foreign service.

I spent the year after college in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. While there, Mauritius hosted a U.N. conference for Small Island Developing States, and I managed to convince the U.S. Embassy to let me attend as part of the U.S. delegation. One of the members of the delegation told me about the Office of the Legal Adviser at the U.S. Department of State, an office full of lawyers who practice public international law. I did some more research and concluded this was my dream job. Because of one conversation on a faraway island, I went to law school and eventually spent almost a decade working in Washington, D.C., in that very office at the State Department.  

What was it about this position at Grand Valley that intrigued you the most?
I have always been drawn to public service and sought career opportunities where I could be part of something impactful and meaningful. This position fits the bill perfectly. It is exciting to join an institution that is preparing future leaders to contribute to their communities, promoting regional economic development to secure Michigan’s future, and innovating and strengthening relationships across the state.   

This particular role is a good fit for me because I learn something new each day and get to help solve problems. There is no such thing as a typical day in the Office of General Counsel, and that’s what I love about it. Partners across campus come to me to work through all types of issues and to problem-solve. It is incredibly satisfying to have the opportunity to help so many diverse areas of the university community achieve their goals and move their work forward. It’s never boring.

As a student at Alma College, you were a Fulbright Scholar and a Truman Scholar. How did those experiences help shape you?
I was tremendously fortunate to have an excellent mentor at Alma, Dr. Sandy Hulme, who guided me through the process of applying and interviewing for several nationally competitive scholarships. The scholarship process improved my writing and presentation skills, but more importantly, it taught me to think big and be intentional about my future.

The first nationally competitive scholarship that I received was the Truman Scholarship, which is awarded to college juniors who have an interest in public service. The Truman Scholarship changed my life. It introduced me to fellow scholars from all over the country who shared my passion for public service, made me a more competitive applicant for law school, made law school more affordable and taught me that I could keep up with top students from the best schools in the country. 

After I graduated from Alma, I spent the following summer in D.C. with most of the Truman Scholars. A few months ago, a large group of us met in D.C. to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that summer. I am still very close to many of my Truman friends, and I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received from the Truman Foundation over the past two decades.

The Fulbright Scholarship was the reason I was living in Mauritius. Spending time in another country — particularly when you head there without knowing anyone — is such a formative experience. You are constantly uncomfortable and sometimes lonely, but you learn a huge amount about yourself and the world around you, make amazing friends and learn to be resilient. I am so fortunate to have had that experience.

What's a hobby you enjoy?
I love to cook and to eat! I have a minor obsession with cookbooks; I love looking at the pictures and getting inspired to try something new or put a spin on an old favorite. Recently, I have cooked food inspired by Indian, Japanese and Chinese cuisine.

One of my cooking achievements is that I have learned to make some of the food that would be served at a CHamoru fiesta in Guam, where my husband grew up. It used to be a running joke with some of his Guamanian friends that when they wanted CHamoru food, they would come to the home of a woman from mid-Michigan who would cook it for them! It was a delicious and beautiful way for us to celebrate their island and culture.

My children, who are 8 and 3, are pretty adventurous eaters. That said, I am confident that they would abandon even my finest culinary masterpiece for a piece of pepperoni pizza.

Categories

Featured Across Campus

This article was last edited on January 7, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.

Related Articles

Faculty and Staff Campaign celebrates the 'Heart of GVSU'

The campaign runs through February 28; students express their appreciation to faculty and staff members in a video.

Featured Video

February 4, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 11)
Article by Anna Davis

New communication initiatives launched in response to feedback

The first GV Faculty Focus podcast features a conversation with Matthew Daley, professor of history.

February 4, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 11)

Graduate plays supporting role in movie that has Oscar buzz

Lindsey Normington, '18, appears in 'Anora,' which also won the top Cannes Film Festival award.

February 4, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 11)
Article by Annie Pettit