Rachel Pavelko

Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Master’s degree in Education Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After working for over a decade in social services, education and mental health, she chose to pursue law school, driven by a dedication to bringing a trauma-informed lens to legal advocacy. Rachel is currently completing her J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she thrives in its Blended program. By successfully navigating this hybrid of remote and in-person learning, she has earned a spot on the Law Review and a recurring place on the Dean’s List. Beyond her legal studies and work, Rachel remains connected to her professional “roots” by serving as a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. In this role, she facilitates trainings that equip others to effectively support people navigating mental health and substance use challenges throughout our community.

Rachel was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to Colorado in 2012. Like most transplants, she enjoys hiking, being active outside and never taking a view of the mountains or an alpine lake for granted. She also enjoys cooking, playing bocce ball, traveling, spending time with her partner and friends, and keeping up with her very needy dog, Layla.