Irvine, Calif. (September 12, 2024) — Even when first-year University of California, Irvine School of Law student Ethan Prom was across the globe riding a camel in Cairo, he kept UCI close to his heart — quite literally: he was wearing a UC Irvine shirt. Ethan enjoyed globetrotting over the last several months, but his Anteater roots beckoned. After graduating from UC Irvine in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government, Ethan is back on campus as a 1L “double Anteater” among UC Irvine Law’s talented new class of J.D. students.
“After traveling to 27 countries across Asia, Central America, Europe, and Australia over the past four months, it is great to be back home at UC Irvine,” he said.
Ethan’s homecoming to his alma mater should come as no surprise given his record of leadership and community-building at UC Irvine. In his first year as an undergraduate, he rolled up his shirt sleeves and worked as a Mesa Court Center Attendant where he sorted mail, picked up phone calls and performed a variety of administrative tasks. By his final year, he served as a resident advisor who helped students find resources for mental health and academic support, organized social gatherings, and liaised with campus staff to troubleshoot facilities issues. His experiences culminated in his role as executive vice president of Phi Alpha Delta, where he oversaw mentorship, event planning, and managed relationships with guest speakers.
After traveling to 27 countries across Asia, Central America, Europe, and Australia over the past four months, it is great to be back home at UC Irvine.
– Ethan Prom, 1L
Ethan’s budding interest in law led him to take undergraduate courses on topics such as international law, trial law, logic, and argument and research. It also motivated him to get involved in numerous law-related extracurricular activities. Ethan volunteered as a teaching assistant at UC Irvine Law’s Saturday Academy of Law, advising local ninth-grade students on how to pursue higher education from a low-income background and collaborating with UC Irvine Law staff on substantive lesson plans. He also served as a team advisor for the National Student Leadership Conference where he organized events for high school students about international affairs; a special committee assistant director for UC Irvine’s Model United Nations chapter; a university mock trial team competitor; and a campus climate commission member for UC Irvine’s Associated Students.
Before entering law school, Ethan was a Senior Business Immigration Analyst at Fragomen where he initiated and filed non-immigrant visas for corporate clients, sparking an interest in immigration law. As he begins his J.D. studies, Ethan aims to leverage his experiences not only to excel in his legal education but also to continue making a meaningful impact in the UC Irvine community.
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. UC Irvine Law students have completed more than 160,000 hours of pro bono work since 2009. Nearly half of all UC Irvine Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UC Irvine 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 UC Irvine 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 UC Irvine Law.