NVC Students Explore Legal Careers at Regional Pre-Law Summit

Eight Northwest Vista College (NVC) Criminal Justice students recently attended a national summit hosted locally at St. Mary’s University. Held in partnership with St. Mary's University School of Law faculty, staff, community partners, and student organization chapters, the Lawtina Network Summit celebrates and supports women at every stage of their legal journey—from pre-law students to practicing attorneys.

Sponsored by NVC Student Life, the delegation of NVC students included:

• Annalise Cano
• Franchesca Gomez
• Daniela Garza
• Marcella Nieto
• Lorena Obregon
• Lily Caldera
• Nina Silva
• Makayla Windsor

The summit featured specialized information sessions, relationship-building activities, and nationwide networking opportunities. Designed specifically for aspiring legal professionals, the summit’s Pre-Law Track provided invaluable guidance on navigating the law school application process, financing legal education, and selecting the right institution. Attendees also participated in a law school fair, connecting directly with law school admissions officers from across the country.

For the NVC attendees, the experience provided both professional clarity and a strong sense of community.

"Being in a room full of intelligent, driven women gave me an incredible wave of inspiration," said Lily Caldera. "Seeing everyone’s success and dedication has completely renewed my motivation to continue moving forward with my education and legal career goals. Thank you for creating such an empowering space and community. I am so grateful for the impact this experience has had on me."

For Nina Silva, the summit offered a firsthand look into life as a law student:

"Attending the Lawtina Network Summit this year was an absolute privilege. From visiting the law school, sitting in an actual law classroom, and exploring the law library, I was left speechless. I networked with pre-law and current law students, participated in all the pre-law-focused events, and of course, listened to the panel of successful Latina attorneys. Meeting such wonderful women at various stages of their law journeys opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that lie ahead."

NVC Student Life's sponsorship of the trip underscores Northwest Vista College’s commitment to providing students with high-impact experiential learning, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities outside the classroom.