Admissions staff
The Wayne Law Admissions staff is here to guide you through every step of the application process, from answering your initial questions to celebrating your acceptance. With a commitment to personalized support, our admissions professionals bring years of experience and a passion for helping prospective students find their place in our vibrant law school community.
Whether you're seeking advice, understanding financial aid, or exploring our renowned clinics and programs, we're excited to help you discover why Wayne Law feels like home.
In addition to our staff, one of Wayne Law's strongest assets is its talented, diverse student body. Our Student Ambassador Program exposes prospective and admitted students to the Wayne Law experience through the eyes of current students.
To arrange a tour with one of our admissions ambassadors or to ask them a question, email the Admissions Office at lawinquire@wayne.edu.
Meet our staff and student ambassadors
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Nikki Taylor-Vargo
Senior Assistant Dean, Enrollment Management and New Program Development
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Jill Burnette-Maurice
Director of Admissions
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Rishawnda Archie
Assistant Director for Diversity Outreach
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Tanya Candido
Residence: New Center – Detroit, MI
Undergraduate education: Adrian College
Wayne Law class: 2025
Law School activities/organizations: Business Law Society (president), Journal of Business Law (associate editor)
Work experience: Michigan Attorney General's Office - Criminal Trials and Appeals Division
Future plans: Work as a prosecutor in the Detroit area
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Laura Vanderploeg
Residence: Detroit, MI
Undergraduate education: Olivet Nazarene University, Double major in Political Science and History, Minor in Criminal Justice
Wayne Law class: 2025
Law School activities/organizations: Student Ambassador, Women's Law Caucus Member
Work experience: Legal Intern for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office in the Conviction Integrity Unit
Future plans: Pursue a career in criminal law or immigration law
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Michael Buzzy
Residence: Trenton, MI
Undergraduate education: Central Michigan University, B.S. Philosophy & Political Science
Wayne Law class: 2026
Law School activities/organizations: Journal of Law in Society, Article Editor
Work experience: Warren City Attorney's Office, Law Clerk
Future plans: Unknown, but thinking Academia and pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science.
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Aubre Thomas
Residence: Detroit, MI
Undergraduate Education: Central Michigan University, BS Political science; minors in Public Administration and Sociology
Wayne Law Class: 2026
Law School Activities: Student Ambassador, Black Law Student Association, Taft Transactional Law Competition, Wolverine Bar Association
Work experience: Judicial Intern, Eastern District of Michigan; Summer Associate, Dickinson-Wright; Legal Intern, United Wholesale Mortgage
Future Plans: Firm Practice, Probate and Estate Planning
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Courtney Dolan
Residence: Detroit, MI
Undergraduate education: Boston College, B.A. Political Science
Wayne Law class: 2025
Law School activities/organizations: Wayne State Journal of Business Law (Editorial Board), Corporate Counsel Externship, Research Assistant for Professor Hall
Work experience: Summer Associate at Dickinson Wright, Legal Intern at the Office of General Counsel for Jackson National Life Insurance, Global Public Policy Intern for General Motors
Future plans: To work at Dickinson Wright as a transactional law attorney
