Nebraska Law students Kelsie Jackson and Graham Meyer have been named this year’s recipients of the Schmid Foundation Excellence in Space, Cyber, and National Security Law Award. The honor is presented to two rising third-year students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, commitment, and ambition in these rapidly evolving fields.
Jackson said the Space, Cyber, and National Security Law (SCNSL) program immediately felt like the right fit for her. “I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of law, technology, and power,” she said. “The SCNSL program felt like a home for that kind of interdisciplinary curiosity. Plus, how many law students get to discuss the legal implications of satellite strikes or Martian settlements in a classroom?”
This summer, Jackson is interning with SpaceX in their government affairs office, working on regulatory and policy issues closely tied to her studies. She hopes to build a career combining legal analysis with policy advising in the space sector. “The SCNS program has given me the tools, mentors, and network to confidently enter the field after graduation,” she said.
For Meyer, the program stands out because of its focus on legal fields that are constantly shifting in response to world events. “Unlike most areas of legal study, which can remain static and predictable, all three of the program’s fields are in a constant state of flux,” he said. “The fluid and ever-evolving nature of the program fosters skills in adaptability and innovation.”
Meyer said the program has challenged him to distinguish between what the law is and what he or others think it should be.
“That skill—grounding analysis in reality rather than personal preference—has been invaluable for studying space, cyber, and national security law, as well as every other area of law I’ve encountered,” he said.
Both students encouraged others to consider the program. As Jackson put it:
“If you’re intellectually curious and eager to work on legal issues that have global stakes, don’t hesitate. This program isn’t just about national security or space—it’s about being on the frontier of legal thought and practice.”
Both Jackson and Meyer have been deeply involved in the SCNS program beyond the classroom. Each has received travel awards to attend conferences in Colorado Springs and Washington, D.C., expanding their professional networks and expertise. Meyer represented Nebraska Law as a member of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court team, while Jackson has devoted significant time to advancing space law research. Together, they serve as co-presidents of the Space, Cyber, and National Security Law Club, leading student engagement in one of the law school’s most forward-looking programs.
