Student Ambassadors

Undergraduate Institution: Daytona State College
Email Address: malhu017@fiu.edu
Hometown: Damascus, Syria 

Legal Affiliation: International Law Student Association, Immigration Law Society

Journals/Competition Teams: African Journal of Legal Studies, International Commercial Arbitration

Why FIU Law? FIU Law is like a big happy family, everyone is there for each other and supportive of each others. 

My favorite thing about FIU Law? Being part of a dynamic diverse atmosphere. I love the focus we have on international law. We have multiple opportunities to get hands on experience whether it is classes, study abroad, or competition teams. 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida Atlantic University
Email Address: laske002@fiu.edu
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Legal Affiliation: Caribbean Law Student Association, Black Law Student Association, Haitian American Law Student Association.

Journals/Competition Teams: Law Review, Negotiation Team

Why FIU Law? FIU is a law school with a community atmosphere. The staff, faculty, students and alumni are very supportive of student success.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is its great reputation in the legal community.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Email Address: Lbehnke@fiu.edu
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL
Legal Affiliations: Negotiations and Mediations Team, Federal Bar Association, Women’s Law Society 
Journal: FIU Law Review

Why FIU Law? That bar passage rate, am I right? Also, I wanted to go to the best law school in south Florida. Making connections close to home gives me a better chance of getting the job I want, in the place I want to practice.

Favorite things about FIU Law? (1) The people, (2) the bar passage rate, (3) the free food 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
Email Address: jbitt008@fiu.edu
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
Legal Affiliation: Federal Bar Association, Student Member
Journal: FIU Law Review

Why FIU Law? What solidified my choice to come to FIU Law was my visit to the school after I had applied. This visit really gave me insight into what it was like to be a student at the Florida International University College of Law. I loved the atmosphere and the location of the school, so my decision was easy.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is how much the faculty and advisors truly care about each student. Their open-door policies and willingness to help students really makes FIU Law feel like a family.

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email Address: ycabr024@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL
Legal Affiliation: Cuban American Bar Association, Employment and Labor Law Society, Women's Law Society, Phi Alpha Delta
Journals: FIU Law Review

Why FIU Law? Upon making my decision of where to attend law school, it was apparent that FIU Law had a great atmosphere and phenomenal professors. However, after speaking to several students, and Student Ambassadors, I was convinced that FIU Law produces very successful, practice-ready graduates. Considering the small class sizes, professors who make themselves available to students, and the bar passage, FIU Law was simply the best choice. 

My favorite thing about FIU Law?  FIU Law's small knit community creates an environment that truly aims at helping students succeed. I have found that students in the year above me, FIU Law grads, and professors, go out of their way to be excellent mentors; this makes all the difference in a student's path to success. 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email: ncoll018@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, Florida

Legal Affiliation: Business Law Society

Why FIU Law? FIU Law has everything you could possibly look for in a law school: great diversity, great performance, great faculty, and great peers.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is its commitment to its students. FIU Law truly cares about you and your future.

Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University
Email Address: melli052@fiu.edu
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

Legal Affiliation: American Constitution Society, American Civil Liberties Union

Competition Team: FIU Trial Team

Why FIU Law? Small class sizes, low tuition, and highest bar-pass rate in the state. Yes, there are older, more “reputable” law schools. But I chose FIU for the amazing opportunity to help build the reputation of a younger, hungrier school. We’re building our reputation every day, we’ve got to work harder than anyone for it, and we do. If that excites you and you see that as an opportunity, the FIU COL family is for you. If you’ve felt like you’ve had a chip on your shoulder in life, this is the law school for you.

Favorite thing about FIU law? The sense of community among students, faculty, and staff. We work harder than anyone, but we work together. It’s a competitive environment where excellence is expected, but never at the expense of collegiality.

Undergraduate Institution: Loyola University New Orleans
Email Address: ediaz187@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL
Legal Affiliation: Student Bar Association, Peer Mentor 

Why FIU Law?  I knew I wanted to stay in Miami and prepare for a legal career in my hometown. I didn’t realize how at home I truly would feel at FIU Law. When I visited the law school, I met students who spoke to me about their experiences in and out of the classroom. I felt so welcomed by the students, faculty, staff and Dean Page. The transition into law school isn’t easy, but FIU cares about you and your success. There are so many reasons as to why FIU - but nothing is better than pursuing your career path and being practice ready. FIU Law is a special place to be and the ambassadors can’t wait to show you why! Come check us out! 

My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is the people! The student environment is really collaborative, the professors have open door policies and are available if you need them, and the staff will get to know you! I’ve found a family at FIU Law. 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Email Address: gdiaz109@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL
Legal Affiliation: Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Society - Social Media Director

Why FIU Law? FIU Law is unique. It has an intimate, familial atmosphere that encourages excellence without sacrificing collegiality. Ultimately, FIU Law was like coming home for me. Moreover, you cannot find a better quality law school on a value/price point scale than FIU Law. 

My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is the sense of community among all the students and faculty. 

Undergraduate Institution: Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Email Address: sflor065@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL
Legal Affiliation: Student Bar Association, Marijuana Law Education Society, Hispanic Law Student Association, H.T. Smith Black Law Students Association.
Journals: Law Review
Competition Teams: Negotiation and Mediation Team

Why FIU Law? FIU Law provides real world experiences for aspiring lawyers and allows law students to personalize their education. Particularly, FIU Law's Clinical Program has left a footprint in the local community. Furthermore, students are given the opportunity to pursue their interests, whether it be in Intellectual Property, Business Law, Litigation, and more. Ultimately, I knew that FIU Law would provide me with the foundation necessary to serve as an advocate for my community, while also giving me the freedom to guide my legal education.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? I am truly grateful for the support system at FIU. From peer mentors to professors and administrators, the FIU Law community is supportive and enthusiastic about seeing others succeed. Professors encourage students to ask questions and help students seek career opportunities outside the classroom. FIU Law Administrators are also very involved with student organizations and are eager to give a helping hand.

Undergraduate Institution: Bowling Green State University
Email Address: afran214@fiu.edu
Hometown: Detroit, MI 
Legal Affiliation: Black Law Student Association, Student Bar Association Committee Chair

Why FIU Law? I fell in love with the community and culture at FIU Law. During my first visit, I was welcomed with open arms and it felt like a family. Florida International University College of Law is unlike any other law school. The faculty and staff truly care about students. 

My favorite thing about FIU Law? I do not feel like I'm competing with other students, and I feel like we are all going through this tough journey of law school together. Being in such a warm and welcoming environment has proven to be successful for FIU Law students in the school and in practice. It is also very easy to create bonds with faculty at FIU Law because the faculty truly care about the students. 

Undergraduate Institution: Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Massachusetts) and University of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida)
Email Address: agonz1091@fiu.edu
Hometown: Hialeah, FL
Legal Affiliation: Public Interest Network, Women's Law Society
Journal: FIU Law Review, Executive Symposium Editor
Competition Team: FIU Board of Appellate Advocates (Moot Court)

Why FIU Law? As South Florida's only public law school, FIU Law practices what it preaches. It is a school created by the community, for the community. Through its legal clinics and emphasis on experiential learning, FIU Law encourages its students to serve the community and trains them to lead and advocate with compassion.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? Everyone at FIU Law. FIU Law's small class sizes facilitate community-building and create a welcoming space for all. At FIU Law, we are a family and we work collaboratively for academic success.

Undergraduate Institution: Rutgers University – Camden
Email Address: rking047@fiu.edu
Hometown: Winslow, NJ
Legal Affiliation: Student Bar Association; Black Law Student Association; Women’s Law Society; Intellectual Property Student Association; Sports, Entertainment, Fashion, and Arts Law Student Association.

Why FIU Law? Honestly, I found FIU on google maps. I’m from New Jersey and FIU doesn’t have much presence up north. I also didn’t do much vetting of the school. I just knew it was the cheaper school in Miami and I wanted to be in Miami. Having now been here for almost three full years I am amazed at how great this school is. I could stop and start with the fact that we have the #1 bar passage rate, but we also having amazing and engaging faculty, a gritty and hardworking student body, and a supportive administration. I might have been lucky that I applied and attended such a great school, but you would be unlucky if you don’t join the same school.  

My favorite thing about FIU Law? How welcoming and supportive the FIU Law community is. I came from New Jersey with a different idea of how I wanted to use my law degree than my peers. Yet the entire community got behind what I wanted to do and continue to support and push me to succeed. At FIU, being and thinking different isn’t a crutch, it’s an asset.

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email Address: conlee@fiu.edu
Hometown: Bartow, Florida
Legal Affiliation: Student Bar Association (President), Black Law Student Association (Parliamentarian), Phi Alpha Delta (Marshall), Women's Law Society, Stonewall Legal Alliance.

Why FIU Law? I chose FIU Law for two reasons. First because I wanted to make a name for myself. I didn't want the name of my school to get me a job but my skill and character. FIU has an underdog mentality that sets us apart from others. Also, FIU feels like home and I needed to be comfortable with all the changes law school would bring.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is the sense of community. Everyone is trying to help and we treat people as family from the moment they step in the door.

Undergraduate Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
Email: kleon056@fiu.edu
Hometown: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Legal Affiliations: American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Black Law Students Association, Women’s Law Society, Public Interest Network
Competition Teams: FIU Law Moot Court

Why FIU Law? FIU Law has incredible faculty with a wide array of knowledge and real-world experience who genuinely care about every student they meet and teach.  Professors, faculty, staff, and students are always more than willing to help from the very beginning of the admissions process to well after walking across the graduation stage. There is a strong sense of community within the school that makes getting through law school a little bit easier. Most importantly, the reputation of the institution with regards to bar passage rate and employment success set FIU apart from any law school. If I had to choose again, I would choose FIU Law 100 times over. 

My favorite thing about FIU Law? The sense of comradery is my favorite part of FIU Law. We work hard but we work together and although law school is competitive by nature, at FIU law the competitive nature never comes at the expense of collegiality. 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Florida
Email Address: cluci007@fiu.edu
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Legal Affiliation: Student Bar Association; Black Law Student Association; and Haitian-American Law Student Association. 
Journal: FIU Law Review

Why FIU Law? As a microcosm of the dynamic world, FIU Law allows students to interact with individuals from different walks of life. Students are encouraged to build upon these differences to formulate innovative approaches and contribute to the global exchange of knowledge. FIU Law is also the only school that has the “students first” approach. Every decision made by faculty is to ensure students’ success and career longevity. Lastly, FIU Law supports the notion that as law degree seeking professionals, we have an obligation to serve our community. 

My favorite thing about FIU Law? The cafecito is unmatched. 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email Address: amart429@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL

Legal Affiliation: Libertarian Law Student Association

Why FIU Law? I have always considered South Florida to be my home. With the help of many people, I was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to join the ranks of the highly bright and impressively promising future legal professionals that are the students of the FIU College of Law. Here, I can appreciate daily the quality of instruction and the lucrative paths laid out for us.

My favorite thing about FIU Law?  My favorite thing about FIU Law so far is a tie between the wealth of legal expertise and pedagogical abilities of the professors and the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and most importantly points of view that characterize our student body. I proudly arrive to class each day knowing I will leave back home with a wide range of newfound legal wisdom as well as bonds of friendship that will last me a lifetime. Moreover, all these wonderful advantages have been made available through an evening class program that has allowed a father and working professional like me to be able to pursue and to participate in law school. I’m humbled each day by the swell of gratitude and well-being that overcomes me here at the FIU college of law.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Florida
Email Address: apate107@fiu.edu
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Legal Affiliation: Muslim Law Student Association, Women's Law Society, American Constitution Society

Why FIU Law? I chose FIU Law because when I visited the school I felt welcome and loved the atmosphere. I also liked that it has small class sizes and a consistently high bar passage rate.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? The sense of community among the student population, faculty, and staff. 

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email Address: nreid013@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL 
Legal Affiliation: Litigation

Why FIU Law? There's a formula to the make up of a great university. Before applying to FIU Law I did the math; education + experience + employment. FIU Law checked all the boxes for a great university. The reason why I choose FIU Law was easy; it added up.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? The culture.

Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email Address: Jyebe002@fiu.edu      
Hometown: Miami, FL
Legal Affiliation: Business Law Society – President/Mindfulness Association – Vice President/Hispanic Law Student Association – Vice President

Why FIU Law? I chose FIU Law most of all because of the familial atmosphere. Everyone I spoke to really had nothing but great things to say about the culture and how everyone seemed to support each other. It also helped that FIU is consistently #1 for bar passage. Ultimately, your goal when you come to Law School is to become an attorney and there really is no better place in Florida that will prepare you to pass the bar.

My favorite thing about FIU Law? The people. The student body is great. The faculty and staff always go above and beyond for its students and you can tell they truly care about you. You aren’t just another number added to their statistical record and in Law School where you will definitely have moments when you question if this is truly what you want, this is really important. The faculty and staff continuously preach self-care and wellness and always provide resources to ensure everyone is supported on their journey to become an attorney.