B
.A., University of Southern California, 2002
Coming from Southern California to Boston to earn her law degree gave Rachel
Velez the opportunity to experience life on the east coast. A deciding factor
in searching for the appropriate school was the bond between students and faculty.
“The community here is very warm, supportive, which fosters a much less
stressful learning environment,” she says.
Rachel was amazed at the amount of time professors spent meeting with students
outside of the classroom to help them with difficult concepts. “One professor
even sent me periodic inspirational emails to lift my spirits,” she says.
The encouragement she received helped her become more involved in life at the
Law School. She served as a research assistant and participated in various academic
experiences such as moot court and legal writing competitions. Her other activities
included being the president of Phi Alpha Delta, secretary of the Latin American
Law Students Association, representative of the Black Law Students Association
and the Public Interest Law Foundation, and serving as a tour guide for the
Admissions Office.
During her undergraduate years Rachel was a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society,
the Alpha Kappa
Delta Honor Society, the Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society, a Dean’s
Scholar, and a Town and Gown Scholar. She was also an active member of Phi Alpha
Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, the Emerging Leaders Program, the Joint Educational
Project, and the USC Marching Band.
Rachel always sets her goals high, and she’s determined to reach them.
Her second-year summer associate position at Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris
& Sisk in Albuquerque, New Mexico, eventually led to a full-time position
at the firm, where she is now. She currently works in the areas of employment
and education law, and eventually would like to work in the area of alternative
dispute resolution.
“I was the first college graduate in my family, and they have done everything
they can to support me along the way,” she says. “I am aware that
the proportion of Hispanics who graduate college is very low, and the proportion
of those completing a law degree is even smaller. It’s very important
to me that I take full advantage of the opportunities I have been given.”