Andrea Mass

I have considered myself an advocate for social justice since I was a kid. So maybe those weren't the terms I used, but I knew I wanted to be a voice for the less fortunate in our society. I have worked consistently in government and non-profit organizations, including the United Way in Detroit, the Dept. of Jobs and Family Services in Cleveland, and as an Investigator with the State of NV Equal Rights Commission here in Las Vegas. During my time at the Commission, I investigated allegations of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodation. Just recently, I accepted an Investigator position with the Clark County Special Public Defender's office. While always proud of what I was doing, there was a lingering feeling that I could be doing more. I knew obtaining a law degree would empower me to have a more significant impact and be a stronger voice for those I was serving; unfortunately, however, the financial burdens associated with law school can make the decision quite difficult. This is true for anyone, but especially for those of us dedicated to serving the community. After years of thinking about it, I finally decided to take the leap and apply to UNLV and am so happy I did. This fellowship allows me to get a quality education while being able to focus on what truly matters to me: helping others! Thank you, Boyd!