Meet this year’s Graduate Student Council president: Skyler Kopit
Like many Case Western Reserve University students, Skyler Kopit arrived in Cleveland not knowing a single person in the city. Now, as she heads into her third year at the School of Law in the JD program, Kopit, who is originally from Denver, has already made a tangible impact in the place she now calls home—both on and off campus.
This year, that impact will strengthen as she takes on the role of Graduate Student Council president.
“I feel honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of representing such a large and diverse group of students,” she said.
Kopit’s involvement in Graduate Student Council (GSC) began as a means to immerse herself in Case Western Reserve beyond the law school.
“One of the things I value most about CWRU is the range of perspectives and disciplines represented here, and GSC gave me the opportunity to engage with people I might not otherwise have met,” Kopit said.
It gave her the opportunity to get to know other highly motivated students from across disciplines and work collaboratively to improve graduate life at the university. She previously served as vice president of student life.
She ultimately ran for president both as a personal challenge to herself and a promise to her peers. Kopit knew the role was a means to engage with university administrators and advocate for graduate students while taking on additional responsibilities, growing as a leader and learning to effectively represent a large and diverse group.
As the 2026–27 academic year begins, Kopit’s biggest priority is for her peers across each of the schools and the college to know they are heard and to center the graduate student voice on campus. She also hopes to improve communication and share resources more effectively to graduate students, all while promoting ways for them to decompress and connect.
“I’m very grateful to be in this position, and I want students to know that I genuinely care about making their experience at CWRU better,” she said. “I welcome constructive feedback and want students to feel comfortable reaching out to me with ideas, concerns or suggestions. I don’t expect to have every answer, which is why hearing directly from students is so important to me. I want this to be a collaborative year where students feel that their perspectives are valued.”
That mentality carries over into her legal studies, where she focuses on health law. This past summer, Kopit completed an internship with the Mellino Law Firm. As she gained critical skills for her future career, she was rewarded with feeling like her efforts were making a difference for others.
“Those moments, when you feel like you’re doing the right thing for someone who needs an advocate, have been especially meaningful to me,” she said.
Get to know Kopit better.
Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
1. What initially drew you to CWRU?
I was initially drawn to CWRU because of its strong reputation in health law. I knew that was the area I wanted to pursue, and being at a university surrounded by major hospital systems and distinguished faculty made CWRU especially appealing. After visiting, I also fell in love with Cleveland and how beautiful the campus is. I could really see myself building a life here.
2. Why did you choose your area of study?
I chose health law because I’ve always wanted to advocate for patients in a medical setting. Both medical and legal systems can be complicated to navigate, especially for someone without a background in either field. I wanted to help patients understand those systems, advocate for themselves, and make sure their voices are heard.
3. What has been your favorite moment as a CWRU student so far?
I’ve had a lot of incredible experiences as a student leader, but some of my favorite moments have simply been developing relationships with my classmates and exploring Cleveland, which has become a place I now call home. I came here not knowing a single person, so getting to build a community has been really meaningful.
I’ve especially enjoyed working alongside my classmates at brief advice legal clinics through the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Those experiences have allowed me to give back to the Cleveland community while also learning from practicing attorneys and building my professional network. It feels full-circle to be able to contribute to a community that welcomed me with open arms when I first arrived.
4. In what other ways are you involved on campus?
I also work with the undergraduate Greek Life Office, where I support students involved in Greek life, including assisting with housing and philanthropy events that contribute to student life and campus culture. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity because it has allowed me to connect with the undergraduate population and experience another side of the CWRU community.
