| I started college at Northeastern Illinois University in the summer of 2007 after graduating from nearby Niles North High School. During my years at the university, I studied two majors, Philosophy and Justice Studies. I wanted to attend law school and was able to talk to both Philosophy and Justice Studies professors about that decision. They supported that decision and helped me along the way, including letters of recommendation. In fact, I still keep in touch with one of my Philosophy professors, Dr. Casey. I truly believe the education I received at NEIU set me on a course for success. The diversity at NEIU is unmatched at any of the surrounding four-year universities. I believe the student diversity, the spectacular professors, and their outstanding curricula, provided me with an education that was uniquely superior. NEIU did a great job preparing me for law school, and after graduating in 2012, I immediately attended the John Marshall law school. After three intense years of law school, I graduated in May 2015, took the July Illinois bar exam, and passed. I had dreams of becoming a public defender early on in my academic career, and that dream was made possible in part by the education I received at Northeastern Illinois University. Philosophy taught me how to think and construct logical arguments. Justice Studies further opened my eyes to the systemic racism and injustice in our current judicial system. My education coupled with a desire to help and serve my community led me to my current position as an Assistant Public Defender I for Cook County. I am eternally grateful to NEIU and feel incredibly fortunate to have attended such an amazing university. More importantly, I did not have to get into massive amounts of debt doing so, especially since the debt awaited me with law school! Haha! |
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