Student Highlight

November 2019

  • Sam S. Rahbarpour

    Sam Salar Rahbarpour was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to Iranian Jewish refugees who migrated to the United States during the 1980’s. Sam holds a degree Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning with an emphasis in Land Use Planning at the University of California San Diego. After college he held pursued his passion for Real Estate Development at a Boutique investment firm where he dedicated much of his time there as an Administrative Director. During that time, he decided to further his career path and pursued his degree in law, Sam is currently a third year at UWLA School of Law and is expected to Graduate in May of 2020, he will be sitting for the California State Bar Exam in July of 2020.

    With the support of family and friends Sam has been very apprehensive about starting this new chapter in the field of law. Despite the challenges he faced during his first year, where he learned to reprogram and adapt to his new learning abilities, Sam’s grades and successes reflect his knowledge and confidence as he has come so far in his law school journey. On his free time Sam dedicates most of his time to the LGBTQ+ community as he is considered to be a socially engaged and contributing member. He has strong beliefs in equality and a passionate love for his Iranian traditional values. He has been instrumental in exemplifying his lifestyle as a Law Student who is also a Gay Iranian American through social media outlets. By doing so he hopes to create awareness in the Iranian Community. 

    Sam currently holds an internship through the Schools Legal Externship Program at Nathanson Hall, Attorney’s in Beverly Hills, California where he has learned most clerical work where he is gaining knowledge in the practice of Civil Litigation, Business Formations and Landlord- Tenant Disputes.

February 2019

  • Odulia Juarez

    Odulia Juarez is current completing her Master’s of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership & Business Innovation program and looks forward to graduation day in June 2019. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Child Development from California State University Los Angeles. After completing her undergraduate degree, Mrs. Juarez continued to help her husband, Jose Mauro Juarez, with other responsibilities including caring for their three children; Jose, Sebastian, and Julia.

    In the time since then, Mrs. Juarez has worked at the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center, a nonprofit organization providing services for people with developmental disabilities in the capacity of a Case Manager. Recently she was promoted to Team Leader. Her current duties include overseeing over 25 Case Managers and providing support to Program Managers. At the time that Mrs. Juarez transitioned titles, she understood the importance of going back to further her education in order to be more effective in her professional career and personal life.

    While looking for a graduate program, Mrs. Juarez learned of the Master’s program at University of West Los Angeles. Mrs. Juarez states that classes at UWLA have been exciting informative and also challenging, but through it all, she has managed to excel in her classes with the great support received from her professors.

    Mrs. Juarez shared that Professor La Tonya Scott has made a positive impact in her life by teaching her phrases of encouragement such as, “Know Your Worth” and “I Got This,” when life does not go as planned. Mrs. Juarez also voiced her gratitude towards Professor Perry martin for empowering her as the Class President and to strive to become the best Organizational Development Consultant. His words of wisdom that will forever be imprinted in her mind are, “Be Brief, Be Brilliant, and Be Out.” She would also like to point out that her cohort also played a vital role in her achievement through the fellowship and extensive hours of study session throughout the program.

    In spite of all of the difficulties and setbacks Mrs. Juarez has had to endure throughout her lifetime, she has managed to overcome difficult obstacles including life altering situations and a life threatening illness. It has not been easy to maintain a family and full time employment while attending graduate school but she has managed to accomplish her goal of completing UWLA’s Masters Program. The completion of this graduate program will enable Mrs. Juarez to further her professional career at her current place of employment or else where.

    Mrs. Juarez believes that faith in God, the great support from her family and the encouragement from her close friends; Peter and Edna are other reasons she has been able to be successful.


    Congratulations Odulia Juarez, Class of 2019!