AAST Minor Tara Davoodi Highlighted in GVPT Featured Content for Placing 3rd Nationally in American Moot Court Association Ranking

On April 11, 2025, Tara Davoodi (AAST Minor ‘25) was highlighted in UMD’s Department of Government and Politics featured content, “GVPT Student Tara Davoodi Places 3rd Nationally in American Moot Court Association Rankings”.

From Curiosity to Courtroom Confidence: How Moot Court is Shaping GVPT Students Like Tara Davoodi

Tara Davoodi didn’t plan on becoming one of the top collegiate orators in the country. But curiosity took hold when she noticed the University of Maryland’s Department of Government and Politics (GVPT) Moot Court team hosting a scrimmage. Fresh off a course on constitutional policy and the U.S. Supreme Court (GVPT202), she decided to check it out. The rest is history.

“I always enjoyed listening to Supreme Court arguments,” she said. “I thought Moot Court would be a good way to explore this world more seriously — and see if it’s something I’d want to do long term.”

Fast-forward nearly two years, and Tara has her answer. During the 2024–25 competition season, she placed 3rd in the nation in the individual orator rankings for the American Moot Court Association (AMCA), an organization that brings together nearly 1,000 undergraduate students from over 100 colleges and universities. Her teammate, Annalise Bachmann, placed 2nd.

Read GVPT Student Tara Davoodi Places 3rd Nationally in American Moot Court Association Rankings in full.