Valentina Arevalo (she | her)
McAllen, TX
I am most excited about the opportunity to make meaningful connections with my cohort and to have mentors who can guide me throughout the process. Building these relationships will be invaluable, not only in helping me navigate challenges but also in providing perspectives as I grow both personally and professionally.
Jeremiah Baldwin (he | him)
Corpus Christi, TX
I will use my law degree to impact society by engaging in international diplomacy to advance global human rights for Black LGBTQ+ people. By working across borders, I aim to help enshrine basic protections into law. My ultimate professional goal is to ensure marginalized communities gain equal justice under the law.
Nadiya Berhe (she | her)
Dallas, TX
I want to pursue legal education to advocate for justice, challenge systemic inequalities, and empower underrepresented communities. Law offers the tools to create meaningful change, and I’m drawn to its intersection with ethics, policy, and human rights. The Pipeline Cohort Program aligns with my commitment to collaboration and service.
Amy DonJuan (she | her)
Quanah, TX
My mission is to advocate for immigration reform by leveraging my first-generation experience and commitment to law. I aim to help immigrant communities overcome systemic barriers and encourage others to continue their education, empowering them to create change and build their futures.
Bruno Echt Fusaro (he | him)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
My mission is to advocate for immigration reform by leveraging my first-generation experience and commitment to law. I aim to help immigrant communities overcome systemic barriers and encourage others to continue their education, empowering them to create change and build their futures.
Susy Flores (she | her)
Houston, TX
I’m proud of my work with Houston Leads, where I advance immigrant rights through direct action and Know Your Rights events. At the University of Houston, I researched intersectionality and LGBTQ literature, using scholarship to uplift marginalized voices and foster deeper understanding of the lived experiences of underrepresented communities.
Niya Green (she | her)
Houston, TX
My decision to pursue legal education is not just career-driven; it is personal. The loss of my brother to police brutality and other loved ones to violence and systemic neglect has shaped my desire to administer change amongst a broken system and allowed me to turn my pain into purpose.
Arissiney Groomes (she | her)
El Paso, TX
Co-founding Cultivating Tomorrow has been my most meaningful involvement. I worked with fellow El Paso alumni to mentor first-gen high school students, organize panels, and build bridges between schools and professionals. It’s hands-on, local work that reminds me real impact starts with consistency, relationships, and showing up for others.
Juliana Hernandez (she | her)
Houston, TX
As a child, I aspired to pursue a legal education so I could become an immigration attorney and help the undocumented members of my community. Now, my passion for pursuing law has grown because I know it’s a tool I may utilize to protect the livelihoods of all communities.
Chloe Jones (she | her)
Euless, TX
The aspect of the Cohort Program I am looking forward to the most is connecting with my fellow cohort members and having a strong support system of people in a similar position to myself when it comes to preparing for law school.
Rita Jurado (she | her)
San Antonio, TX
I want to make a lasting impact on people’s lives by ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups, while also cultivating long lasting change throughout society. I plan to go into immigration law and advocate for those in need – hopefully inspiring laws and acts to protect their rights.
Ibrahima Kande (he | him)
Converse, TX
I am most proud of coaching Little League baseball and teaching children how to play chess. Being involved in both of these community activities allowed me to empower youth and give back to my community. As a result, several children have continued playing baseball and learning chess.
Josh Ludwig (he | him)
Austin, TX
I will use my law degree to impact society by pursuing a path in environmental law. I strive to help drive hope toward a more sustainable future. I aim to benefit society by contributing to innovations and breakthroughs in legal protections for our environment.
Stephanie Martinez (she | her)
Alamo, TX
A law degree will give me the knowledge and resources to challenge systemic injustices that perpetuate disproportionate discriminations. I hope to stand with others, empowering them with the knowledge and confidence of their rights, dismantling the barriers that silenced oppressed voices.
Roberto Morales Quintero (he | him)
Tomball, TX
My decision to pursue legal education stems from my experience as an undocumented immigrant. Law has always played a dominant role in my life through fear and limitation. I aspire to become an attorney to shift that dynamic by helping vulnerable communities view the law not as a threat, but as a tool for empowerment.
Michelle Oh (she | her)
San Antonio, TX
I want to pursue legal education to advocate for my family and community. As a first-generation college student, I’ve seen how a law degree opens doors that those before me never had. Its a powerful tool to fight injustice, uplift others, and create opportunities for future generations.
Jenna Ortega (she | her)
El Paso, TX
After working at the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic and SAAVI, a non profit organization that provides services for the blind, I witnessed the barriers they faced; they were pushed aside and overlooked. I strive to use my legal education to advocate for those dismissed in the justice system.
Nicole Pabon Pabon (she | her)
Royse City, TX
I’m proud of my leadership role in the Undergraduate Law Journal for Minority Women, where I’ve worked to amplify underrepresented voices in law. In this role, I’ve helped build a supportive community for minority women passionate about legal issues, fostering connection, empowerment, and greater visibility within the field.
Alexia Perez (she | her)
Austin, TX
I will use my law degree to give back to my community through legal services. I intend to stay in Austin because it is where I feel most connected to the people around me.
Reid Perkins (he | him)
Weatherford, TX
As a veteran, parent, and first-generation college student, I balance schoolwork and caregiving for my family daily. Those roles have honed my resilience, time management, and empathy traits I’ll bring to Texas Law and the broader legal community
Linda Ramirez (she | her)
San Antonio, TX
I plan on giving back to my community as an immigration lawyer who advocates for people who seek a better life for themselves and their families.
Jonathan Rebollar (he | him)
Irving, TX
I’m most looking forward to the support the Cohort Program offers during the law school application process. Being guided through something so important, especially as a first-generation student, means a lot. Having mentors and resources to lean on will help me feel more confident and prepared for what’s ahead.
Minnah Rehman (she | her)
Richmond, TX
I launched “The Policy Prescription”, a new podcast series exploring the intersection of health policy and law. I am proud of my team and I for cultivating a network of professionals and scholars in law and medicine and publishing episodes that reach an audience of over 1500 listeners.
Angelina Rodriguez (she | her)
Elsa, TX
My goal is to foster socioeconomic mobility in my home region, the Rio Grande Valley, by establishing a law firm that offers scholarships, internships, and community service opportunities to aspiring attorneys. I aim to create an environment in legal education where everyone – regardless of their economic background – feels they belong.
Isabella Sanchez (she | her)
Pflugerville, TX
Through my Fall 2024 Archer Fellowship, I worked on the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee, contributing to policy efforts aimed at uplifting underrepresented communities. I also led initiatives to give back to the D.C. community, including organizing FAFSA workshops to help students pursue higher education.
Miracle Sanchez (she | her)
Oxford, NC
The underrepresentation of women of color in the legal field contributes to mistrust and hesitation among communities of color when seeking legal support. I am committed to being part of the change by offering representation, empathy, cultural awareness, and a genuine understanding of the challenges these communities face.
Johnathan Sandate (he | him)
Mount Pleasant, TX
I am mostly proud of having the opportunity to serve in my church as a pianist. I started playing the piano at the age of 13, and since then I have served as a pianist.
Valeria Santiago Lopez (she | her)
Lecheria, Anzoategui
I’m most looking forward to attending the Cohort Program weekend academies! I’m excited to immerse myself within the Texas Law community through alumni mentoring, 1L class observations, and connecting with the Delta Cohort in person. As an alumna, it will also be great to be back on the Forty Acres!
Abrielle Schropp (she | her)
Lake Dallas, TX
I am most proud of my involvement as an Executive Board Member of Black and Brown Academics and Mentorship (BBAM) at UT Austin. I’ve helped design and lead mentorship programs that support Black and Brown high school students across Texas, recruit top UT students as mentors, and organize mentor-mentee pairings. It’s meaningful to me because I’m actively creating pathways for students of color to access higher education and professional development work that directly reflects my values and long-term goals in advocacy and equity.
Inaya Sheikh (she | her)
Plano, TX
I plan to use my law degree to work on cases that relate to human rights violations and protect the needs of all people, no matter their background. I hope to support youth in the foster care system and those impacted by human trafficking.
William Simmons (he | him)
Cypress, TX
I am most proud of is serving as the President of the Iota Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In this leadership role, I have helped organize and lead numerous service and philanthropic events that directly impact our campus and the broader community.
Suzietta Smith (she | her)
Denison, TX
My mother’s experience fleeing political unrest in Nicaragua and starting a new life in the U.S. shaped my desire to study law. Her journey inspires me to help others access legal pathways that provide safety, opportunity, and the foundation to build a secure and meaningful future.
Elizabeth Tomoloju (she | her)
Euless, TX
I am most proud of my time spent studying abroad in Northern Ireland as a recipient of the President’s Award for Global Learning. Through this experience, I was able to learn about restorative practices used in contested societies to promote peace-building. My time abroad taught me the importance of intergenerational dialogues and storytelling when addressing historical harms in a community. Because of this, I am passionate about preserving books and literature that facilitate these conversations.
Julie Urquiza (she | her)
Austin, TX
I am eager to bring my passion, resilience, and unique perspective to law school and, ultimately, to the legal field. I hope to be the advocate that individuals like my father desperately needed, ensuring that justice is not a privilege for the few but a right for all.
Genesis Zambrano (she | her)
San Juan, TX
I’m most proud of my work at a personal injury law firm. It’s a privilege to help people from different backgrounds and circumstances. In addition to our office work, we engage in various community involvement activities, including donations, college scholarships, a Thanksgiving turkey drive, and school backpack giveaways. I’m proud of being involved and organizing these events.