Galloway, N.J. _ Six Stockton University students were named recipients of the Alan F. Arcuri Pre-Law Fund Awards for 2021.

A former Stockton professor, Arcuri was known for his tireless efforts in advising pre-law students. The fund, started in 2019 in his memory, assists students by providing a stipend to cover the cost of a prep program for the LSAT exam and providing mentors for them as they apply to and attend law school.

“Alan was always available to help students and we are grateful that his family and friends are continuing that tradition through these awards,” said Professor of Political Science Linda Wharton, who coordinates the awards.

Wharton also thanked the mentors, many of them Stockton alumni, for their willingness to assist promising students who want a career in law.

This year’s recipients are:

Sarah Kusnirak of Woodbridge, a rising senior and Political Science/Business Studies dual major.

Kusnirak is a leader in the Honors program at Stockton and active in a variety of activities including Student Senate. She is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in Fall 2022.

Her mentor is Shannon Lacey, a 2016 Stockton graduate and 2019 graduate of Rutgers School of Law-Newark. Lacey is currently an associate with the law firm of Atkins, Tafuri, Minassian, D'Amato & Beane P.A. (River Edge, N.J.) where she practices family law. 

Why do you want to become a lawyer and what type of law do you plan to practice?

I want to become a lawyer because I want to help preserve and protect people’s rights. I am interested in practicing either corporate or civil rights law. 

What does getting this award mean to you?

Being chosen as a recipient for the Alan F. Arcuri Pre-Law Award has opened up many doors for me. I am very grateful for the opportunities this award has given me. Without this award, it would have been very challenging for me to afford taking an LSAT prep course. Taking the course will allow me to be able to be well prepared when I take my LSAT this fall. I hope one day I will be able to pay it forward and help mentor other aspiring lawyers. 

Maria Solano-Linares of Absecon is a rising senior and Political Science major

Solano-Linares is taking an LSAT prep course this summer while working at a local law firm. She plans to apply for admission to law school starting in Fall 2022.

Her mentor is Eric Garcia, a 2018 Stockton graduate and 2021 graduate of Rutgers School of Law-Camden this month. Garcia is clerking for Justice Faustino Fernandez-Vina at the N.J. Supreme Court before joining the law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis in Cherry Hill.

Why do you want to become a lawyer and what type of law do you plan to practice?

Since I was eleven years old, I always wanted to become a lawyer. Learning about the law and how it governs a country has always invoked my interest. While studying at Stockton University, I have taken numerous courses related to law such as Constitutional Law, Women and the Law, and Civil Liberties. These courses heighten my motivation to further my education, and attend law school and become a lawyer. After law school, I aspire to eventually work in something that relates to the environment. There is a lot of inequality and injustice in the environment, and it often gets ignored from all sides.

What does getting this award mean to you?

Taking the LSAT can be daunting, especially preparing for it, but awards such as this lessen the pressure. It's an amazing opportunity for me to prepare myself for the test. It also feels nice that there are people at my university who acknowledge my goals for law school.

Nadira Anderson of Bergenfield received her Political Science degree in May 2021

Anderson was in multiple activities at Stockton, including the Student Senate. She also served as a student trustee on the Stockton Board of Trustees. She is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in Fall 2022.

Her mentor is Tom Lloyd, a 2019 Stockton graduate and a rising 3L at Rutgers Law School-Newark where he is serving as the Senior Managing Editor for the Rutgers Race and the Law Review, Secretary of the Rutgers Moot Court Board and a member of the Rutgers National Appellate Advocacy Team.

Why do you want to become a lawyer and what type of law do you plan to practice?

I appreciate and wholeheartedly embrace the challenge that studying the law brings, having had a small taste of legal studies through my classes, paid internships and legal jobs. I want to be a lawyer because I want to participate in legal procedures that require a strong understanding of the law. Having a law degree will allow me to empower and protect others on issues they would not be prepared to handle themselves. Legal representation in this regard is critical, and people must recognize its salience. Though I have not yet adopted a singular emphasis on what type of law I intend to practice, I am currently leaning towards Intellectual Property and International Law.

What does getting this award mean to you?

This award has granted me the economic capability to take an LSAT course in preparation for the LSAT, has privileged me with the mentorship of a Stockton alum, and has given me a situational membership among my fellow awardees. I feel recognized for my hard work and feel even more committed to a career in law, thanks to the accessibility this fund provides.

Yatora Edwards of Egg Harbor Township is a rising senior and Philosophy and Religion major

Edwards has been involved in Student Senate. She is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in Fall 2022.

Her mentor is Kristin Gummoe Lubrano, a 2018 graduate of Rutgers Law School-Camden with a joint JD/MBA. Lubrano is an associate with the law firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst, & Doukas.

Why do you want to become a lawyer and what type of law do you plan to practice?

My ultimate goal after obtaining a law degree is to make governmental changes to laws and policies that no longer serve the people of the United States. Time and time again we see how the policy being passed does not target direct change because the people that have created the policy are not the ones who experienced the actual problem that the policy is trying to repair. I am a firm believer that the government's power should be used to protect and assist its citizens. This begins with implementing as well as enforcing policies that not only assist citizens, but regulate the government and their entities. Therefore, I aspire to practice Administrative Law in order to mend these issues that we have been faced with for years within the United States government. 

What does getting this award mean to you?

Before receiving this generous award, I was unable to participate in expensive and top-notch LSAT prep courses. This award will allow me to accomplish my goals before entering law school. I will forever be grateful.

Rosemia Chiara of Manahawkin is a 2021 graduate with a Political Science degree

Chiara is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in Fall 2022.

Her mentor is Shannon Stefanelli, a 2016 graduate of Stockton and a 2019 graduate of Drexel University’s Thomas Kline School of Law. Stefanelli is currently an associate with the William Kirby law firm in Moorestown where she practices family law. 

 Why do you want to become a lawyer and what type of law do you plan to practice?

I want to become a lawyer because my passion is for the law and I want to be able to have a positive impact on the way things run. I plan to practice corporate law. 

What does getting this award mean to you?

I am extremely honored and grateful to be chosen as a recipient. This award allows me to be able to further continue my education and study the law. 

Armando Linares is a senior Political Science major.

Linares is currently in training as a Marine Reservist and will begin an LSAT prep course later this summer. 

His mentor is Joe Isola who earned his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Stockton.  He graduated from Rutgers Law-Camden in 2020 and has been clerking for a judge in Ocean County.