Breanna Marie Murphy in a courtroom

Breanna Marie Murphy

Breanna Marie Murphy, from Bigfork, Montana, enrolled at MSU-Northern through a transfer program from Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC), pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. The summer before her final year, she volunteered for the Flathead CASA program in Kalispell, serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for a minor in foster care. Appointed by Judge Dan Wilson, Breanna's role involved building a trusting relationship with the child, investigating their situation, and interviewing everyone involved to determine what was in the child's best interest.

As a CASA, Breanna acted as the eyes and ears of the judge, attending court hearings, collaborating with the caseworker, and uncovering the truth in the child’s case. The experience taught her valuable skills in interviewing, investigation, and navigating the complexities of the foster care system. It also provided her with a firsthand understanding of the court process and brought her classroom studies to life.

Breanna’s time with CASA solidified her goal of becoming a Guardian ad Litem—a specialized attorney representing children in civil law cases, especially involving divorcing parents. After graduation, she plans to travel and study for the LSAT, aiming to attend law school at BYU or the University of Montana.

Find out more about the MSUN Criminal Justice program and Psychology minor!