IRVINE, Calif. (April 9, 2024) — Brenda Rosas, a third-year law student at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, was recognized with a leadership award at the University of California, Irvine’s seventh annual Latino Excellence and Achievement Award Dinner (LEAD). The university-wide accolade recognizes key leaders, graduate students, staff and faculty who support and champion student success and research excellence in the Latinx community at UCI and in Orange County. Rosas was the only law student, and one of only 15 graduate students from across the entire UC Irvine campus, to receive this honor at the award ceremony on April 4.
Brenda Rosas is the proud daughter of Isabel, who migrated from Mexico to Santa Ana, CA, and Anaheim, CA, where Rosas was born and raised. A first-generation student from high school to law school, Rosas’ own experiences within the public education system inspired her commitment to challenging systemic barriers to education that historically excluded students face.
Rosas is a product of UC Irvine’s higher education pipeline programs, including UC Irvine’s Early Academic Outreach Program and UC Irvine Law’s Pre-Law Outreach Program. She understands the importance of mentorship for Latine students who want to pursue higher education and has been involved in and piloted programs with the goal of making higher education accessible and equitable. She has been a leader with UC Irvine Law’s Saturday Academy of Law since 2017, a program that introduces ninth grade students from her own community to higher education and the legal profession. She piloted a mentorship program and office hours program between the UC Irvine Latinx Resource Center and the Latinx Law Student Association to support Latine undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing law school.
Rosas’ approach to lawyering is rooted in community–centering and amplifying directly impacted voices. Her legal work during law school has focused on education equity, immigrant rights, and issues with policing within Spanish-speaking communities. Rosas’ work with these communities led her to advocate for UC Irvine Law to offer a Legal Spanish course.
“Growing up in a predominantly Latine community, I understand what it means for us to be in this space,” said Rosas. “I’ll continue to work towards access to and retention in higher education for Latine students.”
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. Nearly half of all UCI Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UCI Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UCI Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UCI Law.