By Hank McIntire
Avery La Giglia, Quill research assistant at the UVU Center for Constututional
Studies.
Avery La Giglia, of Herriman, Utah, is a Quill research assistant at the Center for Constitutional Studies (CCS) at Utah Valley University (UVU). She grew up with two older sisters and spent a lot of time in Monticello and Blanding, Utah, and calls Herriman home.
“I asked my parents a lot of questions when I was little,” recalled Avery. “Like most kids, I thought they knew everything. One day I realized there was a lot my parents didn’t know. It was an oh-wait-a-minute moment.”
Avery had more wait-a-minute moments over the years, but the biggest one perhaps was being diagnosed at age 15 with both celiac disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.
Celiac is an autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the small intestine when the person affected consumes gluten. Ehlers–Danlos consists of 13 connective-tissue disorders.
Having one of these diseases is challenging enough, but to suffer from both requires patience and constant adjustment in one’s day-to-day life.
“I was sick all the time,” said Avery. “Mind fog is a big part of the disease, and I missed more days of school than I attended.”
Avery persisted, however. During her junior year at Herriman High School, she took classes in government and criminal justice. Something clicked for her, and she wanted to learn more.
“My government class made me realize how little I knew about how we govern ourselves,” Avery said. “And in criminal justice I learned about what crimes are and their punishments.”
She took part in a mock trial as part of the class and became interested in a case that involved a woman who was the victim of domestic violence and was arrested for killing her husband.
“I became sympathetic to the person accused of the crime,” said Avery. “It made me passionate about helping someone who felt they had no options and was afraid, and made choices they otherwise wouldn't, so I decided to go into law or social work.”
Avery’s next step on that path in the fall of 2023 was to come to UVU—which was close to home and family and had cheaper tuition—and her illnesses came with her.
“I had to force myself to go to class,” she said. “And sometimes I still do. On my bad days I try to do as much as I can. I had to learn not to procrastinate things—that the best time to do things is now—because my health is unpredictable. It’s hard to catch up when you have health issues.”
Avery chose to major in Political Science and minor in Constitutional Studies. She took Constitutional Case Studies from Dr. Matthew Brogdon, and a Law and Politics class, taught by Dr. Rick Griffin.
One of her classmates told her about his work as a research assistant in the Center for Constitutional Studies. Avery was intrigued by the Center’s work in documenting and modeling state constitutions, so she applied.
“Most people don’t know much about the Constitution,” said Avery. “I really want to understand how our government works, and on the Quill Project I get to see how state constitutions are formed. And I work with really cool people.”
“It can be a steep learning curve,” said Avery, having started at CCS six months ago. “The tricky terminology was an eye-opener to how much I don’t know. I’ve learned a lot at CCS when it comes to how legislative sessions work and how constitutions are formed.”
“I’ve picked up so many things from sitting and listening to other people,” said Avery. “They have so many perspectives on life and our government. That’s what civic engagement is—engaging with others and being willing to listen to them. The Center really fosters that.”
Avery looks to graduate in Fall 2026 and go to law school to study the Constitution, civil rights, or environmental law.
“I want to give back to my community, and one of these fields would be most fulfilling for me.”
Given her health challenges, Avery has had some bumps in the road.
“Your life forms your perspective and empathy,” she said. “I’ve come a long way, and if I could meet my younger self, I would tell her, ‘Don’t be afraid to look stupid. You learn more from saying the dumb thing over saying nothing at all. Don’t worry so much about what others think.’”
