Welcome to the Office of Student Affairs

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) welcomes you to another safe space at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. We believe in transparency, authentic individuality, academic excellence and overall well-being. We embrace the changes that allow us to think of innovative ways to engage our students. The OSA supports the mission, vision and principles set forth by the University of Louisville.

This office is dedicated to helping students develop a strong platform for student success and wellness. We offer support, organizational leadership opportunities and guidance while facilitating meaningful relationships among students, faculty, and staff.

Image: Signature, Crystal Coel
Crystal Rae Coel, Esq., M.A.

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Student Spotlights

	Sarah Bryan Class of 2025 Hometown: Louisville, KY What do you like about Brandeis/Law School? What I like most about Brandeis is the sense of community. I have met so many incredible people, and I know that the Class of 2025 is going to do great things. Law school is not easy, but it's easier doing it with this group. Career Goal — what do you want to do after graduation? After graduation, I want to go into civil litigation and ultimately become a trial attorney. Who has influenced you the most? Both of my parents have influenced me greatly. My dad is such a funny and hard-working person that always remains level-headed and rarely complains. My mother is the most enthusiastic person I have ever met, but also the strongest person I have ever known. Both of them have always been my biggest cheerleaders, and I truly could not have been blessed with better parents. They make me want to be a better person every day. Favorite Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
	Alex DePriest Class of 2025 Hometown: Marrero, LA What do you like about Brandeis/Law School? My favorite part about Brandeis is the camaraderie. I have had the pleasure of forming bonds with people from all walks of life who somehow share similar goals and motivations. I like that at Brandeis the law class feels like a small close-knit community. Career Goal — what do you want to do after graduation? After graduation, I am planning a career in construction law. No matter where my legal career takes me, it is always my goal to be the best at what I do. Eventually, I hope to make enough money to buy the New Orleans Pelicans. Who has influenced you the most? My father, Troy DePriest, has influenced me the most. He instilled in me the values of dedication and hard work. He remains caring and supportive to this day. Favorite Quote: “The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.” — Kobe Bryant
	Christiana Martinez Class of 2026 Hometown: Shepherdsville, Kentucky What do you like about Brandeis/Law School? What I like about Brandeis is the diverse environment and the amazing opportunities that Brandeis provides to its students. From discussion panels to school-related events, Brandeis provides its students with numerous networking opportunities as well as opportunities to learn about different areas within the legal field. Career Goal — what do you want to do after graduation? My career goal after graduating is to become either a criminal attorney or a civil litigator. I have focused my summers and prior employment on civil litigation and have enjoyed working in that field of law. However, I am also very passionate about criminal law and would like to gain further knowledge and experience surrounding this field of law. Who has influenced you the most? My parents have been my greatest influence. Despite facing numerous challenges in their own lives, they have consistently found ways to be supportive, encouraging, and always celebrate all of my achievements, no matter how small. Their consistent belief in my potential as a person, a student, and a future lawyer has inspired me to pursue my education at Brandeis School of Law. I also want to extend my gratitude to the law firm of Phillips, Parker, Orberson, and Arnett. Three years ago, I was hired by this firm despite my lack of prior legal experience. Over these three years, this firm has provided many opportunities for me to grow both professionally and academically. Their support and encouragement have played a significant role in my decision to pursue a career in law. Favorite Quote: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas A. Edison
	Cameryn Gonnella Class of 2025 Hometown: Herndon, Virginia What do you like about Brandeis/Law School? I really appreciate how accessible all of the professors are at Brandeis. Every professor I've had has been more than willing to explain class topics during office hours or after class, or to answer questions about career development. Some of my professors have helped me navigate job offers and get involved with externships that have opened new doors for me professionally. Career Goal — what do you want to do after graduation? I’ve been clerking at a personal injury litigation firm for about a year and a half now. Personal injury is a totally different area of law than I had considered before law school, but it ended up checking a lot of boxes for me. The firm I work for serves a lot of clients in rural areas who wouldn't otherwise have the resources to pursue justice for their injuries. I also did an externship with the Kentucky Innocence Project during my 2L year and attended the annual Innocence Project conference in March, which was an incredible experience. Through KIP, I met attorneys in the Post-Conviction Branch of the Department of Public Advocacy and have been interning there for one day a week this past summer. The PC Branch handles criminal motions for new trials and civil issues related to probation and parole conditions. I hope to continue working in both of these important areas after graduation! Who has influenced you the most? My husband and my friends — I’m very lucky to have such confident, intelligent, and positive people in my life. Favorite Quote: “I think you guys might be thinking about yourselves too much.” — Jemima Kirke
	Peyton Rodgers Class of 2025 Hometown: Floyds Knobs, Indiana What do you like about Brandeis/Law School? Brandeis is not just admirable for the future lawyers it cultivates, but also for the faculty and administration that plant the skills and qualities needed to flourish in our modern legal field. It truly is a community that I am lucky to be a part of. Career Goal — what do you want to do after graduation? Since the inception of my legal aspirations, my dream career has been to become a criminal defense and civil rights attorney. My undergraduate learning experiences have shaped a niche desire to eradicate wrongful convictions. After becoming knowledgeable about the boundless ways to effectuate my desire through the law, my exact career goal is still evolving. Who has influenced you the most? My late mentor and boss, Brian Abell, has certainly influenced me the most. His passing has forever ingrained in me the importance of mental health, not just for myself or those going through unbearable times, but also for those who never stop smiling. Brian was the definition of what it means to be a zealous advocate, and certainly the kind I will strive to be. Favorite Quote: "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations." — Dr. Mae Jemison

Inclusive Excellence

Carcyle Rochester-Barrett

Class of 2025

I am a: 3L

Hometown and State: Brooklyn, New York

What do you love most about your family and/or friends?
They support me and keep me grounded.

What undergraduate and graduate degrees do you have? What majors/minors?
NYU School of Education – Bachelor of Science – Professional Studies
NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service – Master of Public Administration – Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy

Why law school and why Brandeis?
Honestly, because I work here and it is most convenient for my schedule. It was Brandeis or bust.

How have you changed since your 1L year?
I’m gaining greater confidence in my ability to practice law and am becoming more open to new opportunities that contribute to my growth.

In addition to getting into the UofL Brandeis School of Law, what are you most proud of and why? OR What is the greatest challenge you have overcome and why?
Both scenarios are relevant to me. Gaining admission to the Brandeis School of Law is both my proudest achievement and the greatest challenge I’ve overcome. A professor in my Master’s program once told me that I would never make it into law school. This was particularly disheartening because I was excelling in his class and others, and there was no indication that I wouldn’t succeed. Despite his lack of expertise in law, his assessment deeply affected how I saw myself. Overcoming that self-doubt, even after being accepted into law school, has been a significant personal victory for me.

How do you define Inclusive? How do you define Excellence?
To me, inclusivity means creating a sense of belonging. In any setting—be it academic, corporate, or otherwise—everyone should feel valued and accepted, regardless of their differences from others in the same environment. I define excellence as the continuous pursuit of the highest standards and the pride that comes from not only meeting but surpassing those standards.

What is your professional goal for five years from now?
I see myself as a faculty member or higher education administrator. My goal is to make higher education more inclusive so that all students have the opportunity to excel. One of the ways that is achieved is by having someone that looks like them in the classrooms.

Favorite Quote:
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.” – Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley

AJ Woods

Class of 2025

This year — are you a 1L, 2L, or 3L?
3L

Hometown and State: Richmond, VA

What do you love most about your family and/or friends?
What I love most about my family and friends is the unconditional love, support, and laughter they provide to keep me going.

What undergraduate and graduate degrees do you have? What majors/minors?

· BS, Computer Science, minor in Economics

· BA, Criminal Justice

· MS, Computer Science

Why law school and why Brandeis?
Prior to law school, I worked as a software developer and felt stagnated in my career. I wanted to do more meaningful and inspiring work and found a way to combine my technology background with my interest in law through intellectual property law, especially patent law. I chose Brandeis due to its affordability and emphasis on public service.

How have you changed since your 1L year?
I feel more confident in my ability to succeed in the classroom and as a lawyer and have made many connections that I believe will endure well beyond my time here at Brandeis.

In addition to getting into the UofL Brandeis School of Law, what are you most proud of and why? OR What is the greatest challenge you have overcome and why?
This summer, I was selected as a Google Legal Summer Institute Scholar, and it was an amazing experience at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA. I had the opportunity to meet some of the in-house counsel team at Google and other tech companies, as well as a great group of individuals in the cohort.

How do you define Inclusive? How do you define Excellence?
Inclusive to me means not only respecting differences but also recognizing the value of having diverse perspectives and experiences represented. Excellence is exceeding expectations and being an inspiration to others.

What is your professional goal for five years from now?
I would like to keep an open mind about my future, but right now I envision myself as a senior associate at a firm, in-house counsel at a tech company, or working for the federal government in an intellectual property capacity.

Favorite Quote:
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.”
— Langston Hughes

Katherine Resendez

Class of 2025

This year — are you a 1L, 2L, or 3L?
3L

Hometown and State: Gilbert, AZ

What do you love most about your family and/or friends?
The support they provide. My husband is always encouraging me to work hard and chase my dreams. My friends acknowledge my accomplishments and give me the courage to continually improve myself.

What undergraduate and graduate degrees do you have? What majors/minors?
Bachelor of Science in Business Management

Why law school and why Brandeis?
I love the community Brandeis has. In my experience, classmates are willing to help each other out without being cutthroat competitive, and this is something I was looking for in a law school. It was easy to recognize this at Brandeis, and I have been impressed to find that the faculty and staff are also so supportive of the students and put so much work in for them.

How have you changed since your 1L year?
The biggest change I have seen in myself since my 1L year is my confidence and clarity about the things I want out of life. Law school has helped me accomplish a major achievement and has made me realize what truly matters to me and what I want my life to be.

In addition to getting into the UofL Brandeis School of Law, what are you most proud of and why? OR What is the greatest challenge you have overcome and why?
The thing I am most proud of is overcoming a weakness I had that I always strongly disliked in myself. I used to give up on something as soon as it got hard. It took me a long time to realize that when I gave up, I was really only letting myself down. I always wanted a college degree, but it took me several tries to start. I would give up on the application process as soon as things got hard and frustrating. I didn’t realize the significance of my accomplishments at the time when I was accepted into a school because signing up for classes would then be frustrating enough to make me quit. It wasn’t until I found someone who supported my dreams and encouraged me to keep going even when things were hard (my husband) that I was finally able to push through and overcome the instinct to give up. Entering my final year of law school now is such a huge accomplishment for me because it really shows how far I have come and that I am capable of overcoming my weaknesses and changing traits I don’t like about myself. I know everyone is capable of this, and I try to help others see this in themselves as much as I can.

How do you define Inclusive? How do you define Excellence?
To me, being inclusive means recognizing those who feel out of place and inviting them to join you. This can be as simple as inviting someone to sit by you so they don’t have to sit alone. I think excellence is the most extreme version of this situation. For example, being the most important or accomplished person in the room and seeking out the “nobody” who is being brave just by showing up and making them feel important and like they matter. I think everyone has something to offer, and those who exude excellence are the ones who help others see the importance in themselves.

What is your professional goal for five years from now?
In five years, I hope to feel like I am making a difference in my clients’ lives, no matter how small the difference is. I also hope to still be learning and growing.

Favorite Quote:
“The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. The more I realize I don’t know, the more I want to learn.” — Albert Einstein