Joshua Nelson

Tell our readers about your experience coaching a debate team in China.

I worked with high school-age students in Shenzhen, which is a large city in southern China. While interning with the Washoe County DA as an undergrad, everyone recommended I take a gap year. I was really involved with college debate, so this was a perfect opportunity for me. The travel opportunities were incredible, and I loved (and still do!) coaching debate. Like the law, debate can be very interdisciplinary, which keeps things interesting. We had the opportunity to debate a number of great topics, including universal basic income, gene editing, and refugee restrictions.

You are the president of OUTLaws, Boyd's LGBTQ student organization. What has the group been up to this year? 

Like lots of things, OUTLaws has been limited this year. We put on a bar review and a social event with Dean Howarth last semester, which were a lot of fun. I’m really hoping to see the organization come back to life next year (fingers crossed!).

Which living person would be your dream dinner companion?

I haven’t been able to see my grandpa in a while; it would be great to have dinner with him again! He had a long and interesting career in Washington, but he’s been retired for decades and understands the value of enriching and meaningful free time. He’s been a great person to talk to about career and non-career topics, especially since law school and the pandemic, and I would love to have dinner with him again once that’s possible.

What are you most looking forward to doing post-pandemic?

I love to compete in local triathlons, so I’m really looking forward to having those come back. That being said, training has offered me a great opportunity to get out of the house and exercise during the stay-at-home orders.