While earning an honor’s bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the University of Utah, 2L Sinndy Rios—who was born in Guatemala and grew up in West Valley City, Utah—focused her studies on helping immigrants like herself.
“I wrote a thesis about immigration and immigrants’ trust in the government. I also did the pre-law LEAP program, which helped me learn about law school and the pathways to it, and found a community in pre-law,” she recalls. “I planned to attend law school and become an immigration attorney, to be able to help my community and advocate for immigrants.”
Her work as presidential intern with the University of Utah’s Office of the President, placed with the Student Affairs team, was also fulfilling. When she graduated with her bachelor’s degree, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full force, so Rios decided to take a couple years off between her undergraduate degree and law school. She began working in the Student Affairs office full time, helping Vice President Lori McDonald and her staff with strategic initiatives designed to help advance university goals.
“I primarily focused on helping full-time staff with their onboarding and messaging around the strategic plan and how their contributions would impact student success and belonging on campus,” Rios says.
After three years working with the Student Affairs team, Rios was ready to apply to law school and wanted to continue her education at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.
“I feel tied to Utah, and I heard a lot of comments about the Utah legal community being small but also supportive. I also volunteered with the Pro Bono Initiative through the pre-law LEAP program as an undergraduate and saw how involved Utah Law was in the community and providing assistance to those in need,” she says. “I felt like I already belonged, so transitioning into law school wasn’t as intimidating.”
As a first-generation law student, Rios says she had assumed she wouldn’t be able to ask her professors for help if she needed it. She was happy to be proven wrong during the past year.
“The professors have been so approachable, and I’ve had a positive experience with all of them. They genuinely want me to improve and succeed. They’re helping to advise me with my professional development, too,” she says. “I’ve also enjoyed my classmates and being around such accomplished individuals from different backgrounds. The friendships I’ve made with classmates and people in the legal community have meant a lot.”
Rios explains that earning her bachelor’s degree and then completing her first year of law school used to feel impossible—but reaching these milestones has given her confidence.
“Being an immigrant has placed barriers in my path. I didn’t see myself accomplishing even an undergraduate degree, and then there was a period of time where I didn’t think I would attend law school,” she says. “Finishing my first year has meant so much to me and my family because I was able to do something that at one time sounded so unachievable.”
She has also enjoyed her work as a legal intern with Western Governors University, which blends her interest in higher education and law.
“I continued advocating for students and saw through a legal background how education can be more accessible. Western Governors has allowed me to experience a variety of the legal matters they handle,” she says. “It was unique to be in-house for my first summer because I was working with the organization’s goals and visions in mind and collaborating with them as a whole while still maintaining legal compliance and helping with different legal questions.”
After connecting with the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) early in her 1L year, Rios signed up for their mentoring program and attended as many events as possible with her mentor. In June, she was named a 2025-2026 Durham fellow, which includes a $1,500 stipend and also allows her to give back to those who mentored her.
“I enjoyed being connected to someone in the legal community who’s already gone through it and who shares some similarities with you. UCLI’s events are centered around the community and bringing students together,” she says. “I’m excited to be a Durham fellow and mentor pre-law students. I think it’s really important to share your story of challenges you’ve overcome. I also want to connect with attorneys and learn from individuals involved with UCLI about how they prioritize community involvement.”
Since she still has two years of law school ahead, Rios isn’t certain about her career path yet. She enjoyed her Legal Methods class and is currently interested in litigation.
“I want a role where I’m able to help underserved communities, ensure that they have access to different resources and have their needs taken care of. I would also like to be back on a campus in some way, working in higher education or, in the future, working in immigration,” she says. “I’m most passionate about law being a place where you can advocate for individuals who sometimes do not feel empowered to voice their ideas or thoughts. I want to be in an environment where I can continuously learn and also cultivate a space of equity and fairness.”