Criminal Justice Program Prepares Pre-Law Student to Make Her Mark on the Legal World
Samantha Peisino has juggled one major and two minors while leaning on faculty and staff for tutoring help to prepare for the LSAT. Now serving as an intern in the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, she’s ready for the jump to law school and a career in the criminal justice system.
- College of Arts & Sciences
Samantha Peisino ’21 is a fourth-year criminal justice major with minors in sociology and legal studies and analysis, and she recently took the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT exam, to prepare for law school and a career as a lawyer.
As she considers law schools, Samantha credits Widener’s pre-law pathway, alongside her passion and drive, for giving her the support and experience she needs to make her dreams a reality.
“From the 5th grade, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer,” said Samantha.
After beginning her studies in 2017 at Widener, she had the chance to learn from professors with a number of years of experience working in the criminal justice system. Alongside her studies, Samantha has kept a part-time job and a number of internships, and been a part of Widener’s Pre-Law Society.
Most recently, Samantha interned on the John Kane “Kane 4 Senate” PA Senate Campaign, as well as on President Joe Biden’s campaign.
“It was great to work on a winning campaign,” said Samantha. “Being a field officer is such an energetic role and it taught me so much about our current political system.”
Through her internship, Samantha also had the opportunity to connect with members of the community through phone-banking and door-knocking initiatives. As a part of her position, Samantha was responsible for recruiting new members to join the campaign, putting her interpersonal and analytical skills to work.
Samantha took advantage of tutoring assistance from faculty and staff with the pre-law program as she prepared for the LSAT, which was administered in mid January. And now, she is interning at the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, where her work supports the office on various cases, trials, and helps her learn about the ins and outs of the courtroom.
Juggling one major, two minors, and a part-time job throughout college has not always been easy. But Samantha’s drive to see more women breaking the glass ceiling of the criminal justice system inspires her along the way.
“Our criminal justice system has so many wrongs, I want to stop those wrongs,” she said.
Inspired by female leaders like the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Samantha is on her way to making her mark on the legal world.
What’s next for Samantha?
Short term? Starting law school in fall of 2021 with a concentration in criminal justice or medical malpractice.
Long term? Becoming a judge or owning her own private practice.
Wherever she lands, Samantha will be paving the way to a more just world.
