LAW STUDENT AMBASSADORS SPOTLIGHT
Our student ambassadors are eager to share their Villanova Law experience!
From Admitted Students Day to Orientation, they are involved in welcoming new and prospective students to the Villanova Law community. See what they have to say about their experiences below and connect with them to learn more about Villanova Law!
Ashley Andino ’25
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Undergrad: University of Connecticut, Political Science
- What are your career aspirations?
I am interested in Tech/Cyber security/Privacy in the big law space.
- What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Vice president, LALSA - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
Business Analyst / Contract Negotiator - What was your favorite law school class?
Property - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
It will all work out!
Samantha Follen ’25
Hometown: Madison, WI
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Psychology major and Criminal Justice certificate
- What are your career aspirations?
I would love to work in corporate transactional law specializing in health or intellectual property. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Professor Doris Brogan's Research Assistant; Women’s Law Caucus Exec Board (special events coordinator); Health Law Society (vice president); First Generation Lawyers; and OUTLaw. - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
AmeriCorps member for CityYear (volunteered in low-income school districts) and paralegal (for two years at a mid-sized firm). - What was your favorite law school class?
Contracts - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
My biggest piece of advice is to always remember that you belong here! You've worked so hard to get to this point, you deserve it just as much as the person sitting next to you. Try to be kind to yourself and trust that you are in control of your future! Whatever you want that future to look like is up to you, but you are capable of achieving whatever goal you decide you want to achieve.
Kaitlyn Furst ’25
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Undergrad: Moravian University, Music and Sociology
- What are your career aspirations?
I hope to work in family law and litigation back home in Allentown, PA after graduation. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal (staff writer 2023-24), Family Law Society (co-president 2023-24), Labor and Employment Law Society (treasurer 2023-24, 1L representative 2022-23), Pro Bono Society (Pardon Project site chair 2023-24), Health Law Society (blog coordinator 2022-23), Women's Law Caucus, and volunteer with Montgomery County Criminal Record Expungement Clinic and Pardon Project. - What was your favorite law school class?
Civil Procedure - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Put yourself outside of your comfort zone and try different things. Villanova provides so many different opportunities, and the only way to discover whether or not you are interested in something is to try it out now.
Vidhu Joshi ’25
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Undergrad: University of Western Ontario, Genetics
- What are your career aspirations?
Patent litigation attorney. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
President of APALSA and staff writer on Villanova Law Review - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
Worked in clinical research at the Mayo Clinic from 2017-2022. Earned a Masters in biochemistry and molecular biology from Mayo Clinic Graduate School. - What was your favorite law school class?
Civil Procedure - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Be consistent and be proud of yourself every day for the effort you put in, big or small!
Tina Mazzeo ’25
Hometown: Montgomery, NJ
Undergrad: University of Scranton, Finance and Operations Management
- What are your career aspirations?
In-house council at cool startup company. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Vice president of Villanova Parents and Non-Traditional Students Group, vice president of Graduate Student Senate, First Generation Lawyers, Corporate Law Society and Women’s Law Caucus. - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
8 years of prior work experience: 3 years at Sodexo as a corporate controller, and 5 years at Cerberus Capital Management. - What was your favorite law school class?
Property - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
The law community is like nothing else. Both current students and alumni support each other in a way I’d never experienced before. Everyone wants you to succeed and succeed will offer you endless support along the way.
AJ Melillo ’25
Hometown: Island Heights, NJ
Undergrad: Montclair State University, Political Science
- What are your career aspirations?
I hope to be a federal prosecutor. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Justinian Society, WXVU (University radio station) - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
Master of Arts in Law and Governance from Montclair State University - What was your favorite law school class?
Criminal Law with Professor Ravid - What advice can you offer to prospective law students
Never lose your why.
Grace Mezzanotte ’25
Hometown: Newtown Square, PA
Undergrad: Boston University, Psychology and Biological Anthropology
- What are your career aspirations?
I am planning on pursuing litigation, but I have not quite figured out what area yet! - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Trial Team, Women's Law Caucus - What was your favorite law school class?
Criminal Law with Professor Ravid - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Don't let your fear stop you from pursuing law school if you're on the fence. There’s certainly no shortage of hard work, but in return you’ll be met with incredibly valuable and rewarding experiences that make the entire process worth it.
Caroline Nelson ’25
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad: George Washington University, Political Science and Criminal Justice
- What are your career aspirations?
I am interested in pursuing a career in litigation and in serving as a law clerk in the future. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
Villanova Environmental Law Journal - staff writer, PIFP - auction committee, Entertainment and Media Law Society - treasurer, Women's Law Caucus - member - What was your favorite law school class?
Civil Procedure - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Everyone is on their own path and it's okay if your path is different from others!
Gaby Ontaneda ’25
Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Undergrad: Boston College, International Studies & Hispanic Studies
- What are your career aspirations?
I hope to clerk for a judge immediately after law school but see myself returning to firm work and eventually working in-house. - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
President of LALSA; contributing editor of the International Law Society Blog - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
Corporate paralegal at Ropes & Gray for 2 years before law school. - What was your favorite law school class?
Constitutional Law - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
Trust your gut and allow yourself to keep an open mind as you navigate your interests.
Anthony Ryback ’25
Hometown: Avon, IN
Undergrad: Davidson College, Political Science
- What are your career aspirations?
Public Defense - What student organizations/journals/moot court/trial team are you involved in?
PIFP, Sports Law Journal - If applicable, please list any prior work experience/grad degrees (and schools) you attended.
Non-profit housing work - What was your favorite law school class?
Legal Writing - What advice can you offer to prospective law students?
If you have the ability to, take a break the summer before starting school to relax and spend time with family and friends!