Lillian Le ’21, a first-generation college student, began the criminology major with a pre-law concentration at HNU in 2017. Her entrance into the program marks the continuation of a family dream. Her father always wanted to become a lawyer, but life and family interrupted his academic ambitions. When Le’s father passed away her senior year of high school, she became determined to pick up where he left off and become a lawyer herself.

Le first learned about Holy Names when Sr. Carol Sellman ’69, MM ’78, EdD, vice president for mission integration visited her alma mater, St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon. Their description of HNU—small class sizes, personal attention, diverse community—and the opportunity to continue learning in the SNJM tradition immediately inspired her to apply.

An engaged student at St. Mary’s Academy, Le was deeply involved in a variety of clubs and activities. She was co-captain of the dance team, a student ambassador, and co-founder of the Women of Color Association, a group founded to promote diversity on campus and provide a supportive community for students.

Le was offered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) Scholarship and is thankful that the scholarship allowed her to study at HNU and launch her toward an exciting legal career.

“[I’m] definitely not homesick yet…and glad to have experiences that would have been impossible back in Portland,” Le shares. “The view” tops her list of favorite things on campus. She finds the HNU community to be welcoming and vibrant and is excited to take advantage of the internship and networking opportunities the Bay Area provides.