Danielle Mikaelian
THRIVE is an AIWA project dedicated to highlighting individuals who are doing remarkable things in their personal and professional lives to better themselves and those around them. These individuals are inspiring, dynamic, innovative and interesting. Today, we feature AIWA Thrive: Danielle Mikaelian, Harvard Law Student.
Danielle Mikaelian, Harvard Law Student.
Danielle is motivated, bright, and determined. She has risen through the ranks as a student leader on campus, being named the most involved student in her 1L section. She has served on the boards of more organizations than any student at Harvard Law in her efforts to improve the community and the experience of her fellow students.
As someone in law school with Danielle, it has been incredibly inspiring to see Danielle uplift members of the Armenian community. She is the Co-President of the Armenian Law Student Association and writes a student advice column for The Armenian Report. As one of the only Armenians to attend HLS, Danielle continues to engage in dialogue about her heritage and promote one of the most unique perspectives on campus. She also routinely mentors Armenian students, dedicating her time to helping them apply to college and law school. She has received numerous awards for her Armenian advocacy work, being named an Arisdine Krikorian Scholar, Armenian Bar Association Scholar, Who We Are Scholar, and two time Huys Foundation Scholar.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Danielle Mikaelian and I’m an Armenian-American from Thousand Oaks, California. My ancestors fled to the United States during the Armenian Genocide. I graduated from Columbia University with a BA in English in 2021 and am currently in my third year of studies at Harvard Law School. I also have eight years of experience acting as a college admissions advisor and currently work for one of the top admissions companies in the country alongside my studies. My admissions consulting work has allowed me to help Armenians while working with individuals from a variety of countries and backgrounds. My former clients are from countries like Romania, India, Armenia, China, England, Italy, Brazil, Israel, Uruguay, and more.
I’ve been extremely involved in both college and law school. At Columbia University, I served on over ten executive boards, acting as the President of the Armenian Society and the Wellness Chair for the university’s various undergraduate and graduate schools. At Harvard Law, I’ve acted as Co-Managing Editor for the Entertainment Law Journal, Submissions Editor for the Human Rights Journal, an Editor for the International Law Journal, and an Editor for the Business Law Review. I’ve also been Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff for the Harvard Association of Law and Business – overseeing over a hundred events a calendar year featuring a range of high profile speakers who have left their mark on the legal and business world. Outside of school, I’m a Fellow with an organization called Ms. JD, which is honoring me with its Limitless Leadership Award this spring in San Francisco. I am also a 2024 Akerman Scholar and received this honor as a result of my track record in media and entertainment law.
After graduating, I plan on moving back to New York to work in transactional law.
Q: What is your life philosophy?
My life philosophy is to leave a positive impact while showing kindness to others. As an Armenian woman privileged to have attended two Ivy League institutions, I also focus on giving back and providing mentorship to the next generation. I often mentor younger Armenian students and have spoken to various organizations to provide mentorship at schools like Columbia, UCLA, Berkeley, and USC.
I also believe in kindness in everyday interactions — small gestures are extremely important, whether it be with strangers, friends, or loved ones.
Q: What is your hope for the future?
My hope is that my presence is positive and impactful. I also hope for the success and wellbeing of the Armenian people. I also wish for the prosperity of Armenia as a nation.
I am specifically interested in expanding educational and professional opportunities for Armenian students. Every school I have attended has had only a handful, if any, Armenian students in its student body. The same applies to the legal profession – most corporate law firms do not have one Armenian individual in their entire workforce. I want to see Armenians represented more in these spaces and do my best to act as a mentor for younger Armenians. I’ve spoken to numerous Armenian organizations like the Berkeley Armenian Pre-Law Association.
Beyond this, I have developed a specific interest in internet law, especially as it pertains to regulating misinformation. I’ve worked as a Student Attorney for Harvard’s Cyberlaw Clinic, helping startups navigate rapidly evolving laws relating to the Internet and technology. The US lags behind countries like Europe when it comes to internet law and does not have mechanisms like the “Right to be Forgotten.” In an age filled with misinformation rapidly promulgated on social media and the Internet, I believe new measures must be adopted in order to promote the safe and accurate spread of information.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being Armenian/Armenians?
My favorite thing about being Armenian is the instant connection every time I meet another Armenian. Over the years, many of my closest friends and biggest supporters have been Armenian. Every time I visit a new city, I immediately look for traces of Armenian identity, whether it means trekking to an Armenian island off of the coast of Venice or meeting with an Armenian jeweler on a trip to Dubai. The William Saroyan saying is true: “Whenever two Armenians meet, they make a new Armenia.” I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of numerous organizations like AGBU Young Professionals, the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief, the Armenian Church Youth Organization, and the Armenian Youth Federation. I also love how when any Armenian sees my name – Danielle Mikaelian – and looks at the ending of my last name, that they automatically know I’m Armenian as well.
Moreover, I love how others not only appreciate, but also celebrate my Armenian heritage. For instance, my friend had a sendoff party in New York before he left for Israel and he played an Armenian song in my honor — with over a hundred Jewish friends of his dancing to an Armenian pop song alongside me. At the same time, I was readily adopted by Columbia’s Persian Association as an undergraduate due to our cultural overlap – sharing many laughs over rice and kabob. This past Thanksgiving, I was with a group of non Armenian friends and they tasked me with taking out pomegranate seeds because of their relevance to Armenian culture. In law school, one of my best friends – who is not Armenian and had not met any Armenians until he met me – decided to celebrate his birthday at an Armenian restaurant because of how much he appreciates our culture. In these small moments, I feel particularly lucky to be Armenian and have friends that are so accepting of my cultural roots.
Q: How has Armenian culture shaped / influenced you?
My Armenia heritage has been a guiding force in my life. I was born in California, moved to New York for college, and then made the move to Massachusetts for law school. Every time I have moved, I have been welcomed by a new, vibrant, and welcoming Armenian community. I have been involved in a wide variety of Armenian organizations, serving as President of Columbia’s Armenian Society and Co-President of Harvard’s Armenian Law Students Association. I also have been privileged to have the Armenian community supporting my education every step of the way through numerous scholarship programs. In the last few years, I have been named as a two time Huys Foundation Scholar, two time Arisdine Krikorian Scholar, WhoWeAre Scholar, Armenian Bar Association scholarship recipient, Armenian Professional Society scholarship recipient, and more. I’m extremely grateful to the Armenian community and do my best to give back to the next generation.
Q: Final Thoughts.
I believe that one of the best ways to empower the next generation is through education. In this regard, it’s incredibly important to give back and help support others throughout their admissions and educational journeys. I’ve helped numerous Armenian students apply to college and graduate school.
Overall, I’m incredibly grateful to be Armenian. My heritage has greatly enhanced my life, whether it be over laughs over kebab, AGBU Young Professional events, or visits to the Armenian island off the coast of Italy. As I continue my personal and professional journey, I will continue working to uplift members of the Armenian community.
