Chief Justice Role Provides UNO Student with Foundation for Legal Education

Courtroom experience as an undergraduate student can be hard to find – luckily, one University of Nebraska at Omaha student found a unique way to prepare for her legal pursuits.

As Chief Justice of the UNO Student Court, Jannette Castro-Gomez oversees the rules and regulations of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s student government body. From quick emails explaining bylaw interpretations to hours-long hearings and judgements, the role has allowed Castro-Gomez to strengthen her skills when it comes to analyzing and interpreting bylaws and policies.

“It’s taught me a great deal,” Castro-Gomez said, “Because law is also very impartial.”

Castro-Gomez's student court experiences are just one portion of her prosecutorial pursuits. As a double major in Criminology/Criminal Justice and Latino/Latin American Studies, she found that her studies helped her better understand the intersection of law, criminal justice, and her own Latino community. Additionally, she is one of thirty students from across the country selected for LEDA Legal, an intensive LSAT and law school preparation program.

While Castro-Gomez found a career path that excites and encourages her, it wasn’t always an easy journey. As a first-generation student, she felt what she described as “first gen guilt” when it came to picking her major. After entering UNO as a neuroscience major, she realized that even though she enjoyed her courses, she wasn’t entirely happy. With the support of the Goodrich Scholars Program, she felt empowered to change her major.

Changing majors meant stepping into uncertainty — but ultimately, it helped her find her purpose.

“It's probably the best thing that I could have ever done for myself,” said Castro-Gomez.