Student Spotlight

Etana Mccord

Brief Bio: I am a junior from Birmingham, Alabama. Ever since high school, I've been determined to pursue a career in Criminal Law. After graduating, I plan to attend law school to earn my J.D. My goal is to start my career at a law firm and eventually open my own practice.

Major: Criminal Justice
Minor: Political Science 

Law School Aspiration: University of Alabama School of Law

USA Pre-Law Testimonial: Being part of the pre-law program has really helped me connect with peers who share the same passions and interests. I’m so grateful to Dr. Pettaway for her dedication to her pre-law students, always going above and beyond to ensure we have everything we need to pursue a career in law. Without the pre-law program, I wouldn’t be as far along in my journey as I am now.

Aliyah Billiot

Brief Bio: I am currently a junior from Irvington, Alabama. I aspire to become a lawyer to assist others to receive justice in a system I admire and believe in. I plan to attend law school after completing my bachelor’s degree. I am currently interested in real estate law, constitutional law, and employment law. 

Major: Political Science
Minor: Philosophy 

Law School Aspiration: UNC School of Law

USA Pre-Law Testimonial: Navigating the law school process takes resources and people willing to help you along the way. Being in the Pre-Law program has connected me with outside resources to assist with the LSAT, application process, and professional development. This support coupled with the peer support I’ve gained from my membership in the Pre-Law society has made me better prepared for law school. 

Ariyan Brookins

Brief Bio: I am a first-generation college student from Newark, New Jersey. My passion for the legal field started at a very young age, and surprisingly when I came to college I started off as a biomedical science major. 

Major: Political Science Major 

Law School Aspiration: I aspire to go to law school and purse a career in public policy. 

USA Pre-Law Testimonial: Coming here and having no idea of how to tackle the journey to prepare for law school was a very high stress situation; however, under the direction of Dr. Pettaway, her resources, and her many efforts to regain the active status of Pre-Law Society, I was genuinely able to find a group of peers and network with people that were on the same track as me. I believe this helped me figure out my next steps as I am on the way to law school. 

Krestofer Wright

Brief Bio: I am a Senior from Greenville, South Carolina. From reading Isaac Asimov’s science-fiction to writing my own computer programs, technology, and its implications have always fascinated me. This led me to pursue Intellectual Property or Patent Litigation as a career. The connections I form along the way will help me to accomplish my ultimate goal of creating a non-profit focusing on increasing awareness, funding, and opportunity in technology and STEM fields amongst individuals belonging to historically underrepresented communities.

Major: Philosophy
Minor: Political Science

USA Pre-Law Testimonial: Being a member of the Pre-Law Society has provided me with a variety of invaluable opportunities and resources. Dr. Pettaway arranges events ranging from talks with lawyers on how to manage law school workload, to question and answer sessions with law school admissions officers. These events, along with the free LSAT workshops, have
greatly increased my knowledge base, which will allow me to make better informed decisions as I move forward.

Jasmine Stawarski 

Brief Bio: I am currently a senior at South Alabama. I am from Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Ever since I was in elementary school I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. Throughout middle and high school, my passion only got stronger as I got to learn more about the American justice system, and I knew I wanted to practice criminal law in order to help those who need it the most in a way that is a guaranteed right to every citizen of the United States. I cannot wait to practice law and hopefully one day own my own practice.

Major: Political Science
Law School Aspiration: Mississippi College of Law

USA Pre-Law Testimonial: The Pre-Law society has played an integral role in the preparation for law school. As I am surrounded by peers who also have the same goals as me, it is very encouraging and makes it easy to talk about the otherwise stressful law school admissions process. Having a core group of people to answer my questions and guide me has made the process so much easier, and I am forever grateful for the connections this society has brought me.