By Elita Kutateli ’26
During her first year at Scripps, politics and psychology major Annika Lindberg ’26 joined the Small Claims Advisory Service (SCAS), a student-run organization that assists California residents navigating the small claims court. The decision marked the beginning of a leadership journey that would shape her academic and professional interests.
“I had never been exposed to something like this before,” she says. “It felt like an opportunity to work with people outside of Scripps and do something that was really unique.”
SCAS is a 5C organization, primarily populated by Scripps and Pomona College students, that assists California residents in navigating the small claims court system. Lindberg runs the club with co-executive director Sophia Saunders ‘26, who has also been a part of SCAS since her first year at Scripps. The organization helps individuals seeking monetary damages of up to $12,500, often in cases involving consumer protections or reimbursement for financial loss. In recent years, SCAS has also expanded its training to support individuals who have been served court papers and need guidance in responding.
The free service was first founded at Harvard University before expanding to Columbia University and eventually to Scripps, where Kayla Solomon ’23 established the club in September 2022.
Student volunteers meet with clients, review case details, and help individuals understand the legal process. For Lindberg, one of the most meaningful aspects of the work is interacting with people from all walks of life and finding a break from the “Claremont bubble.”
“You’re meeting people who are going through something stressful,” she says. “Being able to help someone better understand their rights or recover a monetary loss feels impactful.”
Although she did not initially expect to step into a leadership role, Lindberg became the club president after seeing opportunities to strengthen and expand the organization.
“I didn’t anticipate being in charge,” Lindberg says. “But as I grew in college, I saw the organization grow too. I wanted to make it better and ensure it could continue serving people effectively.”
The experience has also shaped her post-graduate plans. A pre-law student, Lindberg had imagined a future in the courtroom. Her time in SCAS gave Lindberg a clearer understanding of how legal systems function and redirected her interests to public policy rather than litigation.
“SCAS gave me clarity,” she says. “I realized I love public service and helping people, but I don’t necessarily want to work within the courts. I’m more interested in the policy side.”
In addition to leading SCAS, Lindberg works as a career consultant in Scripps’ Career Planning & Resources office. There, Lindberg supports fellow students, some of whom are also interested in pre-law, by sharing resources and guiding conversations about next steps.
“Working at CPR has reinforced how much I enjoy helping people think through their goals,” she said. “It’s taught me how to communicate effectively and meet people where they are.”
Through both roles, Lindberg has expanded her impact beyond the classroom, connecting the Scripps community to broader public systems and professional networks.
“Scripps has made me well-rounded, and for that I am super grateful,” she said. “I’ve been able to grow while helping others grow, too.”