Student Q&A: Brenda Rosas, 2L (She/Her)
Q: Why did you choose UCI Law?
I am from Anaheim and Santa Ana, CA, which are predominantly Latinx and immigrant communities. Growing up, I quickly recognized the lack of access to legal resources and higher education in my community. I chose UCI Law because of its public interest focus and pro bono program that has allowed me to directly give back to my community and continue building pipeline programs. My favorite pro bono project and one of the many reasons I love UCI Law is the Saturday Academy of Law (SAL) which brings ninth-grade students from Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Garden Grove onto UCI Law's campus to introduce them to higher education and careers in law.
Q: What's your favorite part about/class at UCI Law?
My favorite class is Law and Social Movements with Professor Ashar because we cover the movements that motivated me to come to law school like the Chicanx Civil Rights Movement, Immigrant Rights Movement, and Black Lives Matter Movement. With Professor Ashar's support, I am excited to focus my upper-level writing project on the long term effects and implications of the 1968 East L.A. Walkouts and what it means to be a Chicanx lawyer.
Q: How has your experience been navigating higher education/law school as a Latina and first generation student?
I have never felt alone navigating law school as a Chicana and first generation student because of student organizations like the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA) and First Generation Professionals Program (FGP) at UCI Law. LLSA and FGP created a safe space for me where I feel comfortable to ask other student members and supporting faculty/staff for help.