The Benny Agosto, Jr. Diversity Center at South Texas College of Law Houston has named its first two diversity fellows: Esther Oni and Raul Martinez.
Agosto’s generous support of the diversity center at STCL Houston last fall and combined two of his life passions: giving back to the community and encouraging more diversity in the legal field.
Read on to learn more about the students and their backgrounds, interests and plans for the future.
Esther Oni, 2L
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 2L at South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston). I am involved in the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), and the International Law and National Security (IL&NS) organizations on campus. This academic year, I am BLSA’s chapter secretary and IL&NS’s social media and outreach coordinator. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in political science.
Why did you choose to attend South Texas College of Law Houston?
I attended a culturally diverse undergraduate institution, and I wanted a graduate school that had a similar learning environment. Additionally, I wanted a school that prioritized experiential learning and equally assisted me with applying the legal knowledge to practical service. STCL Houston appealed to me because it matriculates a diverse body of students and shapes them into practice-ready attorneys who serve the community with distinction. Although I am from the Dallas area, I am glad I chose to attend South Texas for my legal education.
What did it mean to you to be chosen as one of the first two South Texas Diversity Fellows?
It is an honor and privilege to be one of the two inaugural Diversity Fellows at South Texas; I get to be a part of history as it is being created.
What are your responsibilities as a Diversity Fellow?
My responsibilities are still expanding, but as a Diversity Fellow, I am doing research on diversity topics, reviewing and contributing to diversity writings for publication, and more. Currently, I attend plan meetings with Professor Moore and the Marketing and Communications team, where we discuss the orientation of and resources on the diversity webpage. I also recruit students to participate in the DEI Office’s diversity recording videos.
Do you know how you were chosen, and why?
Professor Moore chose me as one of the inaugural fellows because I shared my diversity work experience with her when the school first announced the DEI office. Since then, I have been working with her in a work-study capacity, but Professor Moore has given me the responsibility of attending meetings with her, managing the office’s Instagram account, coordinating the diversity video and collaborating with other student organization’s leaders to further diversity initiatives on campus.
How does it feel to work closely with members of the STCL Houston faculty?
It is a great experience because Professor Moore welcomes my ideas, trusts me with responsibilities and makes me feel like I am a contributing member of the DEI Office.
Explain how this opportunity helps prepare you for the next steps in your career?
I have the ability to exercise my leadership skills in the context of law school. I can translate the operational, managerial and collaborative skills I learn in this role into my career. This opportunity will also help me understand people’s positions, and be more aware of my implicit biases so I can correct them.
How do you think having a diverse student population enhances a legal education at South Texas?
The diverse student population at South Texas helps me get to know students of different backgrounds and understand their differences and similarities. Additionally, the learning environment helps prepare me for the various perspectives I will encounter in clients and colleagues when I am practicing. As a result, I have built the skills to work with different constituencies and know I am prepared for the challenges ahead because of what I have learned at South Texas thus far.
What have you enjoyed most about attending STCL Houston so far?
I have enjoyed the lifelong friendships I have made while attending STCL. We keep each other accountable and provide social and emotional support to help us balance our competing priorities.
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Raul Martinez, 2L
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 2L student, and outside my classes, I am engaged in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which is linked with the Benny Agosto, Jr. Diversity Center at STCL Houston. My hometown is Houston, and I earned my undergraduate degree in political science at Prairie View A&M University.
Why did you choose to attend South Texas College of Law Houston?
I chose to attend STCL because the outreach program to my undergrad university was very effective. During recruiting events, STCL Houston consistently stood out to me because of the importance placed on bar passage rates. Since my goal was always to practice law in Houston, attending South Texas was a no-brainer.
What did it mean to you to be chosen as one of the first two South Texas Diversity Fellows?
Being chosen as one of the first Diversity Fellows means the world to me. It is an honor to be part of the inaugural group of scholars who will work to further the values of a diverse and inclusive academic setting.
What are your responsibilities as a Diversity Fellow?
My responsibilities are still expanding, but currently I am responsible for promoting our office through the use of social media. I am present at important campus events to share the experience with those who were not able to attend, and I am an open ear to colleagues who want to share their diversity concerns.
Do you know how you were chosen, and why?
I was chosen as one of the inaugural fellows as a result of my work ethic and willingness to be a helping hand to faculty and students in need. I frequently voiced my concerns about having STCL Houston be the most diverse and inclusive legal educational environment it can be.
Working closely with members of the STCL Houston faculty has been a great experience for me. I am being mentored by some of the best legal educators in the business, which I consider an invaluable experience.
How does it feel to work closely with members of the STCL Houston faculty?
Being a Diversity Fellow will allow me to obtain an understanding of others and the world around me. The experiences I am gaining working with faculty and student peers will help me better understand my place in the world and how I interact with others.
How do you think having a diverse student population enhances a legal education at South Texas?
Having a diverse student body enhances the learning experience of individual students at STCL Houston by bringing a broad experiential background, which in turn makes for interesting class dialogue.
What have you enjoyed most about attending STCL Houston so far?
While at South Texas, I have enjoyed being able to meet new people and make connections with future colleagues. I have also enjoyed becoming a part of the South Texas family. I have felt welcomed and included since day one.
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