The Academic Support Programs Team
Patricia (“Pat”) Garrison, J.D., Assistant Dean
Dean Pat Garrison received her Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum
Laude from Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was licensed by the
State of Texas in 2006. Prior to her law degree, she received
a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas A&M
University in 1981. Her interests lie in dispute resolutions,
and she has received a Certificate of Completion regarding the
Qualifications of an Impartial Third Party from South Texas College
of Law, Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution, in 2006.
While a student, Dean Garrison received several writing
awards, including three from the State Bar of Texas. She comes
to TMSL with a vast amount of experience in industry, building
successful programs in many different areas. Her work includes
management and administrative experience; development and
implementation of organizational systems; and personal development
of extremely diverse communication skills while working with persons
at all levels of management, as well as others across the labor
spectrum. She also has experience in drafting various
documents including procedural manuals, proposals, reports, and
other multi-level correspondence. She has taught courses and
workshops in bar essay writing, and academic skills development.
She also teaches advanced essay writing for a private bar review
vendor.
Dean Garrison is a member of the Former Students Association
of Texas A&M University; Habitat for Humanity; Inns of Court;
Houston Bar Association; and the American Bar Association. She
is most proud of her work at TMSL in bringing specialized bar exam
courses to the university and giving the next generation of students
the tools they need to achieve their potentials on both the bar and
in their careers.
Mona Bledsoe, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Mona Bledsoe comes to TMSL from Tempe, Arizona, where she
was a Senior Office Assistant at Arizona State University College of
Law for over ten years. She is also licensed as an Elementary
School Educator with the State of Texas. She thoroughly enjoys
interacting with people in academia because “They are always trying
to improve themselves and the world.” As an Administrative
Assistant for the Academic Support and Assessment Departments, her
purpose is to help connect and direct students, staff, and faculty
in the most efficient way possible, while helping the university
maintain its mission.
Ms. Bledsoe strives to help students solve issues so they can
focus on their academic careers, and maintain balance in their
personal lives. Her goal is to assist where she can by helping
others maintain their equilibriums while balancing home, school, and
finances. As she often says, “While eventually most students
thrive in this setting, there are often a few bumps in the road
along the way that I can help with.” And her motto remains
“Your effort, plus your talent, equals your success.”
Academic Support Instructors
The Academic Support Instructors have been a very welcomed
addition to the school. Each has a unique perspective and very
specialized frontline experience, having just successfully navigated
the entire law school and bar exam experience. They welcome
the opportunity to share their experiences with future bar
candidates and make TMSL stronger than ever.
Gregory "Greg" Hardmon, J.D., Instructor
Greg Hardmon graduated from the
Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2010. He is licensed to
practice law in all state courts of Texas, and has been admitted to
the U.S. Southern District Court of Texas. Prior to coming to
law school, he taught middle school English, Language Arts, &
Reading in the Dallas Independent School District. He is an
alumnus of Dillard University and member of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc.. The one piece of advice he would tell
himself as a first-year law student is, “Know the rule and all of
the elements!”
Chris Ogolla, J.D., LL.M., Instructor
Mr. Chris Ogolla graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Cum
Laude and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 2008; then he
received his LL.M. in Healthcare Law from the University of Houston
in 2009. He has published articles in the areas of health law,
mass torts, and public health. His favorite piece of advice to
all students is, "Writing is the most important thing I learned in
law school!" Instructor Ogolla serves as a bar coach; teaches
the Bar Essay Writing course and facilitates the Advanced Bar Exam
course to third-year students; instructs the 1L Academy; and
provides counseling to all years of students.
Deola Shoyombo, J.D., Instructor
Ms. Deola Shoyombo graduated Magna Cum Laude from Thurgood Marshall
School of Law and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 2010.
During her time as a law student, she served TMSL as an Academic
Support Tutor and interned with the Harris County District
Attorney’s Office. After being licensed, she practiced as an
attorney in the area of consumer law and business litigation.
Prior to attending law school, she worked for Texas Southern
University in the Office of Enrollment Services, where she
collaborated with a variety of other offices to balance the needs of
their students with those of the university and its regulating
bodies. She also developed her administrative abilities while
serving on the Student Judicial Affairs & Disciplinary Committee,
Human Resources Grievance Committee and was an Adviser for
International Students Organization.
Ms. Shoyombo has now returned to TMSL as an Academic Support
Instructor so she can advise students, both personally and
academically, and help facilitate and ease their journeys from
students to bar candidates to practicing lawyers. Ms. Shoyombo
enthusiastically develops students’ critical academic skills by
teaching specialized workshops and courses. She also eagerly
works with individuals directly to improve their essay writing
skills. She is committed and thrilled to be able to use her
experiences to foster students’ success during their challenging
years at TMSL!
