Vicky Mandara

I currently serve as the Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Miami School of Law, where I work closely with JD prospects and MLS prospects, following their journey all the way until orientation day. I've been in higher education and admissions since December 2019, and I love what I do. My path to this career started with my major in business economics at SUNY Cortland, but I realized I didn't want to go the traditional business route. I originally wanted to be a teacher, but not in a classroom, so I had to marry business and my love for teaching, and that's how I came across higher ed. During my undergraduate years, I interned in the Office of Events and the admissions office, and was involved in Greek life and leadership roles. I saw that Binghamton University offered a master's degree in student affairs administration, so I gave that a whirl. I applied to the University of Maryland Frances King Carey School of Law right before the pandemic, and that was my first role in admissions, and I loved it. As a first-generation student myself, I thought it was really special that I got to help students maneuver the application process and make it a little less scary. I've also done volunteer work with a TRIO program and at community colleges, especially while I was getting my master's degree, which helped me be boots on the ground in pipeline programming for students going from high school to college and from college to graduate schooling. A big asset I have, especially in the Miami space, is being bilingual, which allows me to connect with students' parents in their native tongues. I also resonate with students that are first generation, and I think it goes a long way.