By Kaitlin Loeffler-White, 16 April, 2025 | L – R: Professor Amanda Kennedy, Head of School, Law; Mecarla Harris, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student; Andrew McCormack, Partner, Ashurst
With a passion for rural Queensland, community and agricultural law, Mecarla Harris is committed to making a long-lasting difference in her community.
Living seven hours from Brisbane in the rural town of St George, Mecarla is now in her third year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree.
She balances full-time study with part-time work while raising her young son as a single parent.
After high school, Mecarla worked as a legal secretary and paralegal for several years, but it wasn’t until she became a mother that she felt the real drive to pursue a law degree.
“I wanted to show my son that university study and career progression is achievable if you work hard and apply yourself,” she shared.
Choosing which area of law to pursue is always a challenge, but after exploring different areas of law through her electives, Mecarla has found her passion in agricultural law
“For me, I particularly love the agricultural clients that I meet in the rural communities as they are always so appreciative,” she said.
A flexible law degree
Mecarla shares that the time commitment can be one of the most challenging parts of studying.
“Time commitments are tough, but QUT was definitely the right choice. I’ve been able to tailor my degree online through QUT to suit my lifestyle” she explained.
This flexibility has enabled Mecarla to thrive, and her hard work has been recognised on QUT’s Dean’s List multiple times—an honour awarded to students who achieve a GPA of 6.5 and above in a semester of study.
Creating a community online
Living remotely could have also isolated Mecarla, but her online community has played a huge role in keeping her connected.
She has built friendships through online group assessments and tutorials, including with international students and mature-age students who bring diverse career experiences to the table.
“Even though I live far from Brisbane, I’ve never felt disconnected,” she said.
She recommends that rural students reach out to classmates and keep a chat line open.
“Most people are grateful you did because they have the same questions,” she said.
Support through scholarships
Mecarla's inspiring dedication and tenacity have not gone unnoticed, earning her the inaugural Ashurst Outpacing Change Scholarship in 2024.
Andrew McCormack, Partner at Ashurst, says the Ashurst Outpacing Change Scholarship “recognises not only Mecarla's exceptional academic record but also her remarkable resilience, innovative spirit, and unwavering commitment to the law.”
“Despite facing adversity, Mecarla has emerged stronger and inspires others. Her ability to balance full-time study with raising a child as a single parent, while also working part-time, demonstrates an incredible work ethic and is a testament to her unwavering dedication,” he said.
This dedication, coupled with the crucial support provided by both the Ashurst Outpacing Change Scholarship and the Law Founders’ Scholarship, which she also holds, has enabled her to thrive.
Giving back to community
Mecarla’s passion for her community extends beyond her family and studies.
Her experience as a first-year mentee has inspired her to mentor other remote students.
“Chatting with others and seeing them realise they can achieve their goals is really special,” she said.
“Rural communities thrive when people give back. Keeping services local boosts the population, supports families, and strengthens schools,” she explained.
“It’s incredible to know that Ashurst sees what I’m trying to achieve and believes in me enough to invest in my career,” she shared.
“There are so many opportunities now. If my story encourages just one person to ask about what study could look like for them, it’s all worth it.”
