Unhappy in her job at the time, Eliana J. Cruz vlogƵ26 decided to study for the LSAT and apply to attend law school. vlogƵIt was a long time coming, with each path my career took, I became more interested in the law. Finally, I decided to finally take a leap of faith. At the same time, I switched careers and became a paralegal. To me, it made sense that if I was working, I should work directly with attorneys while attending law school.vlogƵ
ElianavlogƵs background also inspired her to push herself and her education further. vlogƵI come from a big multi-generational, multi-cultural Latinx family from the Bronx. IvlogƵm privileged to say most of my family has attended and graduated from college. We were inspired by my grandfather. He immigrated to The Bronx with his parents and small children, he did not have a high school diploma to his name. I dedicate all my academic accomplishments to him. All my degrees are his, too.vlogƵ
Eliana chose the FLEX JD program at Haub Law because she knew she would receive a quality legal education in New York while working at a job she enjoyed and provided her with an income. vlogƵThe FLEX JD program allowed me to have it all and not have to fall into debt. When I graduate, I will be competing for jobs I want in the City I call home.vlogƵ While balancing working and attending law school has had its challenges, Eliana is steadfast in her belief that it is well worth it. vlogƵMy paralegal work has been paramount in gaining experience that will land me a job after graduating. I am actively applying what I learn in class, while networking with some of the top attorneys in my field. ItvlogƵs a win-win. And the Haub Law community is tremendously supportive. I feel a true sense of camaraderie. I know if my classmates can do it, I can do it.vlogƵ
As a FLEX JD student, Eliana has not yet participated in clinics or externships, however, her most recent career move has her as a Legal Operations Manager at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. vlogƵThis position has fueled my interest in media and intellectual property law; however, transactional law is where my passion is now. I enjoy the technical aspects of it.vlogƵ Prior to her position at Lincoln Center, Eliana was a Foreclosure Defense Paralegal at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).
Notably, Eliana also co-founded NYC Celebrates Women, a non-profit group dedicated to Women of Color Entrepreneurs. "The non-profit was co-founded by a friend and former manager of mine. We saw that the services offered by WOC owned businesses in our neighborhood were of exceptional quality, but lacked the investment and marketing needed to compete with other businesses at the level they wanted to. So, we created an organization as a platform for these women to connect and grow as entrepreneurs."
Despite her busy schedule, Eliana likes to stay active. vlogƵI swim whenever I can. I also paint, draw, and write in my free time.vlogƵ Outside of work, Eliana has also had some of her writing published and her art featured in different galleries across Westchester.
After the passing of two long-term and dedicated Alumni Board Members, the Honorable Sandra A. Forster vlogƵ79 and Adele Lerman Janow vlogƵ90, the Alumni Board decided to establish an Immediate Impact Scholarship to commemorate the lives of these esteemed alumnae, The Adele Janow and Judge Sandra Forster Memorial Scholarship.
For Amanda (Mandy) Howerton-Fox vlogƵ27, deciding to attend law school was not just a career shiftvlogƵit was a natural continuation of her lifelong commitment to advocacy. A former teacher of the deaf, MandyvlogƵs passion for special education and disability rights first led her to pursue a PhD and become a tenured professor of education. Now, she has embarked on a new path at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at vlogƵ, with a goal of effecting change through law and policy while advocating for people directly.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at vlogƵvlogƵs Trial Advocacy Team recently competed in the prestigious IBA International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (IBA ICCMCC) held in the Hague.