Dana Marie Hunter (Bolden), J.D.
BA 2009, Sociology; JD 2012, Valparaiso University
Guardian Ad Litem, Child Advocates, Inc., Indianaplolis, IN
Dana Marie Hunter is a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) at Child Advocates, Inc. Child Advocates, Inc. is an organization that was created to represent and protect the best interest of children in Marion County who are victims of life-threatening abuse or neglect. As a GAL, she part of a legal process that ensures these children receive a safe, permanent home. Every day in Marion County 20 children are victims of abuse and neglect.
Dana was born in Merrillville, Indiana to Donald & Willie R. Bolden on June 9, 1987. She graduated from Merrillville High School in June 2005. Dana received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Law & Society (Honors) from Purdue University in May 2009. She relocated back to Northwest Indiana after graduation to pursue her life-long passion of being an attorney by attending law school. She received her Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law in May 2012.
While at Purdue University she gained much valuable leadership experience. Dana was a Big Ten Student-Athlete. She ran on the Purdue Women’s Track & Field Team from 2006 – 2009. As if being a student-athlete was not time consuming enough, she still found time to be involved in an overwhelming number of extracurricular activities. To name a few are: College of Liberal Arts (student ambassador), Boiler Steam (campus tour guide), Boiler Gold Rush (team leader), Pre-Law Society (treasurer), Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society (membership recruitment chair), Windsor Halls (tour guide), Peer Mentor Program (mentor), D.R.I.V.E.N (member), Saving Our Souls Campus Ministry (member), Boiler Volunteer Network (Boiler Blast committee member & monthly site leader), Old Masters (Hostess).
During the summers at Purdue, Dana interned and took college courses. In the summer of 2007, Dana had the distinct pleasure of interning with the Juvenile Probation Office of Lafayette under the judicial leadership of the former Juvenile Court Judge, Loretta Rush. Purdue Alumnus, Justice Rush now sits as an Indiana Supreme Court Judge. The following summer in 2008, Dana clerked for the Prosecutor’s Office. Much of Dana’s early exposure to the legal realm ignited her love for combining her three passions of the law, education, and the youth.
When Dana was not studying, at track practice, or preoccupied in school activities, you would find Dana serving the Purdue and the Greater Lafayette Community. Dana is a member of the first Black Greek Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In December 2008, she became a member of Epsilon Rho Chapter at Purdue. She is currently an active and financial member with Alpha Mu Omega Chapter in Indianapolis. Dana furthered her service in the Greater Lafayette Community by volunteering on Saturdays at George Davis Manor Nursing Home. Also, she frequent tutored students once a week at Southside Community Center.
Dana received numerous of academic awards and scholarships. She was honored to be recognized by her professors within the College of Liberal Arts as the Department of Sociology Outstanding Senior of 2009. In the summer of 2009, Dana started her legal career by participating in the highly competitive and selective ICLEO program. The ICLEO program is a 6-week intensive program for a class of 30 non-traditional students in preparation for law school in Indiana. Upon successfully completing the program Dana received a lifelong professional mentor and an $18,000 scholarship to Valparaiso.
Prior to moving to Indianapolis 2013, Dana taught legal study courses at Brown Mackie College as an Adjunct Professor in Michigan City, Indiana. Dana has a passion to utilize her J.D. to work in public interest or at a non-profit agency being advocate for inner city youth. Dana has had the pleasure of understanding the needs of the parents and students within in Indianapolis Public Schools as a Parent Involvement Educator (PIE) at Shortridge Magnet High School and Arlington High School. In August 2015, Dana received a professional opportunity she could not refuse. She is now able to work for a non-profit agency while combining her three passions of the law, education, and the youth by working at Child Advocates, Inc. as a GAL. Prior to her position as a GAL, for two years, she was a Court Appointed Specials Advocate (CASA) for the same agency. Her current position is a true testament of her hard work, commitment, and dedication to the mission and work of the agency.
Dana’s life would not be where it is without putting God first and her family second. She is a devoted wife to Quentin O. Hunter. He is an Athletic Director at Guion Creek Middle School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her pride and bundles of joy are her 2 children, Jordan Maurice (5) and Jameson Jerome (8 months).
During Dana’s personal time, she enjoys attending church, shopping, spending time with family, catching up with her friends, and running. Dana is currently on the road to accomplish her first marathon in October 2016.
The best advice Dana will give is, “This is one moment in your life where you are surrounded by people from different walks of life that are around your age. Nurture those lasting friendships. Also, do not underestimate the knowledge of your school advisor.”