Student Opportunities at St. Mary’s Law

Transcript

All right, everyone, Vanessa is waiting to meet us next. She’s a second year law student from El Paso, Texas. St. Mary’s School of law isn’t just about classroom experiences. It’s about the opportunities to engage with the community, volunteer to help others and find leadership opportunities. Let’s hear from Vanessa about all she has found at St. Mary’s law. Take it away, Vanessa.

– Thanks Alex. Hi, y’all. I’m originally from El Paso, Texas. I’m rising 2L here at St. Mary’s School of Law and a nontraditional law student meaning I didn’t start law school until about 15 years after my undergrad. I chose St Mary’s because of the community feel, where I can get to know my fellow classmates and my professors, while having the opportunity to grow professionally. I feel so welcomed here by the law school and the business school as a JD MDA joint degree student. In my time here, I’ve participated with a variety of registered student organizations where I currently serve on the executive boards. Here at St. Mary’s School of Law, I participate in the SMILE Mentorship Program where I’m a mentor to three mentees who I get to guide through their 1L year. And next year I get to see my family grow when each of my mentees take on the mentor role to the incoming 1L class. I have also had wonderful opportunities to volunteer and be a part of something bigger than myself. Since coming to St. Mary’s, the pro bono program has defined my experience. More recently, I’ve been working to inform and help students register to vote on campus. We held a voter registration drive where we stress the importance of exercising every American’s right to vote. When I came to St. Mary’s, I had an idea of what I wanted to do with my law degree. With the guidance of the office of career strategies and my professors, I now can see my future in law with certainty. That’s my story. Now back to you Alex.

– Wow. Working on two degrees, helping others through pro bono work and still finding time to be a mentor to first year law students, you are definitely making the most of your St Mary’s law experience. Thank you, Vanessa.