History and government senior Taylor Guerrero, a member of international law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, told The Odyssey that the organization has become like “family” for her and has guided her throughout her time at UT in making the decision to pursue law school and taking the right steps to help make that a reality. 

Guerrero, a native of Van Vleck, said when she came to UT as a freshman in fall 2011, she was unsure about if she wanted to attend law school, and through PAD, she was able to learn more about it. “The whole purpose of PAD is to make people have an educated decision on if they want to attend law school or not, and after about two years in PAD, I decided that, that was for me,” Guerrero said. “And then I decided to stay in the organization as president and then as a member, in order to help others make that decision and help give back to an organization that had helped me make such a huge decision.” 

Guerrero worked as membership director her second year in the organization and served as president during her third year. She said during her last year at UT, she’s helping to show the ropes to new officers and members.  “Now I just kind of stay active and help out the new officers and new members, and kind of just mentor them,” Guerrero said. 

She said PAD has given her ample opportunities to build important personal and professional bonds - ones that have guided her through her undergraduate years.  “It’s been kind of a family and where my friends are from,” Guerrero said. “It’s a great way to build professional development and make contacts with lawyers and administrators. I helped us to get a faculty advisor and traveled to D.C. for a conference. It’s where I’ve done most everything in college.”  

Guerrero has also served on the Liberal Arts Council during her time at UT, including on its Traditions Committee, which works to hold recurring events to help the members of the council bond. She has also worked as a Camp Texas advisor and is this year serving as the Invest in Texas director for the Senate of College Councils.  

Guerrero said that she’s currently in the application process for law school, having taken the LSAT in February. She said she’s waiting to see where she is accepted, but has high hopes for Baylor, because of it’s ability to turn out great trial lawyers - something she would like to pursue.  “I want to do prosecution, specifically human rights,” Guerrero said. “So, my dream job would be to work at the Justice Department and to be a federal prosecutor specializing in human rights violations and human trafficking cases.” 

Guerrero said for any students thinking about attending law school, PAD can be a good way to get a feel for it. She said it plays a little bit of a special role at UT, since the university doesn’t have a pre-law track, in helping students to choose the right classes to pursue different fields of law and setting them up with law students, who can further guide them. 

She said throughout her time at UT, PAD has just always been there for her when she needed it most.  “I came from a really small school, so coming to UT was a huge shock and a huge difference from high school,” Guerrero said. “So, I really had to find my way and kind of figure out where I fit in. Thankfully, the first few weeks of school, I found PAD, and that’s where I fit in and where I succeeded, and that’s where I could go to when I didn't want to be here, when I wanted to go home or transfer, PAD was my place.”