The 19th-century American author, historian, and Unitarian minister Edward Everett Hale once said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
It’s a sentiment that Norma Erekson, a 2025 graduate of the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, has tried to live her life by each day as she raised her family, nurtured a love for lifelong learning and education, pursued a jack-of-all-trades career, and aided in various humanitarian projects. Now at retirement age, Erekson shows no signs of slowing down. Indeed, Erekson’s husband says that with her newly acquired MLS degree “she’ll just find more areas to volunteer.”
Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Erekson was raised by a young single mother who imparted the value of education.
“My mother was completely illiterate. Yet, despite her not having any education, I learned the best lessons of my life through her. I also learned from her that somebody can be educated without having a formal education. She instilled in me a deep respect for learning, because she would have liked the opportunity to go to school,” Erekson says.
Erekson immigrated to the United States when she was 22 years old. Eighteen months later, she married and began her family. With the goal to have her “own college journey,” Erekson informed her husband that she would do so once their youngest child began school.
She received her associate’s degree in humanities and anthropology in 1998 from Salt Lake Community College, then transferred to Brigham Young University to study international relations with an emphasis in international law and foreign policy—intending to pursue a JD degree. During this time, though, her brother passed away in Honduras and left behind four children.
“I knew that I would have to help these children, and my husband and I began the work to adopt them. It took us about four and a half years. I traveled once a month to Honduras to see the kids, make sure they were okay, and visit the U.S. Embassy there,” Erekson says. “It was a really hard adoption process—I had to appeal to Washington—and it wasn’t until my final semester at BYU that the adoptions were approved and I was able to bring the kids to the U.S.”
As Erekson navigated the intricacies of international adoption and immigration law, she began working for Continental Airlines (now United Airlines) and spent several years there. She moved on to Westminster University and worked in the admissions office to support her children through college—while earning a master’s degree in adult learning and corporate education in 2011. Erekson now works in real estate and teaches Spanish at Westminster University as an adjunct professor.
Through it all, she finds time to volunteer with organizations, such as Utah Peace Institute, the Guadalupe Center, and Honduran Partners of Utah, and helps where she can with those who have questions about international adoption or immigration. She and her husband also completed a service mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Valley City to aid the immigrant population.
“A lot of people just feel lost when they get here. They don’t know where to go. We served under the legal department, not because we’re lawyers or because we can give legal advice, but because we can guide people to legal venues and resources available to them,” Erekson says.
However, Erekson realized there was only so much she could do to help in these areas. She needed a law degree.
Engaging in a legal education
Erekson decided to enroll in the in-person MLS program, liking the options available to her with this degree.
“A law degree is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve had this interest to learn how the legal system works and interacts with everything. So I started investigating the MLS program and becoming a licensed paralegal practitioner (LPP). I liked the idea of being able to practice the law in some way, and I can do so with an LPP,” she says.
There are rewards and challenges for going back to school later in life. One positive aspect is that her coursework has helped Erekson and her husband through the empty-nest stage. Beforehand, when her children lived at home, education was about survival and providing for her family. Now, it’s for the knowledge and the pleasure of learning—and that “is a lot more relaxing.”
“One of the most challenging parts has been to shift my mindset and think like a legal professional—analyzing statutes, understanding case law, and applying it critically. That said, it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I have learned so much,” Erekson says. “It’s so fun because we have judges and professors working in the field who bring personal, real-life experiences into the classroom. It brings the material to life, and it’s been amazing to feel a part of it—to hear how they’ve handled it. It’s what I wanted to learn.”
The highlight of the program for Erekson was discovering her passion for mediation. She is currently working through all the state requirements to become registered with the courts and looks forward to helping individuals resolve their conflicts.
“In my first semester, I took mediation and fell in love with it. It was like, ‘Oh, wow! This is probably what I should have been doing all along,’” she says. “I didn’t know if I was going to pass the mediation exam, but I can brag about this now. I didn’t miss one question on the exam. I got 100 percent! That must show how much I really like it!”
Erekson is most impressed by the College of Law’s sense of community and its emphasis on public service and social responsibility—values that mean a great deal to her. She’s also enjoyed interacting with her fellow cohort members and the support they’ve offered her.
“I appreciated the diversity of student experiences in my cohort—to hear from classmates with backgrounds in technology, the legal field, human resources and other areas. It has broadened my perspective. I was in a very smart group. Even though we have very different political views, I have a lot of respect for everybody,” Erekson says.
In addition to mediation, Erekson is keen to become an LPP. She also hopes to become certified as an accredited representative from the U.S. Department of Justice to further help individuals in immigration law. Until then, she intends to continue working in real estate and teaching at Westminster University.
“The program has given me the legal literacy and critical thinking skills to navigate complex legal environments with confidence. I now understand the ‘why’ behind the rules, not just the ‘what,’” Erekson says.
Serving the community—and the globe
If there is something she can do to help, Erekson will do it. She is passionate about giving back to her community and being involved in humanitarian work.
“Service has always been a core part of who I am. Whether it be through volunteer work, mentoring, or community outreach, I believe in using my skills and time to uplift others. Giving back creates stronger, more resilient communities. It’s also deeply fulfilling—you gain as much as you give,” she says.
Erekson draws upon her own experience especially to help those within the immigrant community. She says the one thing they need most is a mentor—someone to help and support them as they assimilate to the language and culture.
Earlier this summer, she helped organize an immigration information session at the community center in West Valley City, in which immigration lawyers presented and spoke with individuals one-on-one about their specific situations.
“I like to be involved in these kinds of things. The session went very well because that’s what people need—just a little bit of guidance. Whether you agree or not with them being here, the fact is that they’re here and they need help. And if we can help, let’s do. If we want them to legalize their status here and do things the right way, let’s help them out,” Erekson says.
Additionally, Erekson travels overseas to give aid and has organized several trips to provide humanitarian work in India and Africa. In 2019, she was invited to present at the 5th World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy in Pune, India, for her service. And she already has a project in mind to revisit a school for the blind in Mali now that she’s completed the MLS program.
“It was a wonderful experience in India! We taught English, did some micro-loans to empower women in small villages, and helped them bring up small businesses. We also taught lessons in healthcare and self-care,” Erekson says. “In Africa—in Mali and Sierra Leone—we did water filtration, hygiene lessons, taught English in small villages, and we even taught women some self-defense classes since there’s a lot of abuse happening in both countries.”
Reflecting on lessons learned
One lesson Erekson has learned from her studies is how the law shapes and connects to every aspect of society, from filing a simple contract to signing consent at the doctor’s office—and even the community service she engages in. She appreciates that there is always room for growth within herself and with the law.
“As an MLS student, I’ve learned that the law isn’t static. It’s constantly evolving, influenced by culture, politics, and precedent. I’ve also learned to appreciate nuance and to listen carefully before drawing conclusions,” she says.
Erekson is most proud to have been in the MLS program and to finally have the chance to study the law. Whether she continues in real estate and teaching Spanish or moves on to mediating and working as an LPP, Erekson will still be giving back to her community and helping others.
“I’m grateful to have the time at this age to go back to school, because some people don’t as other things take over for them. But I do. It shows that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams and do what you’ve always wanted to do. There’s time for that as long as you’re alive,” she says.