Five Majors, One Big Goal

Thanks to his solid work ethic, a healthy dose of encouragement from faculty who walk alongside him, and 46 AP and College in High School credits, Nick has pursued all of his passions without ever having to narrow his ambitions. 

Discovering new possibilities 

Growing up in the suburb of Penn Township, Pa., Nick originally planned to pursue degrees in political science and Spanish. Since then, he’s added international relations, international security studies and history, along with a pre-law certificate and minor in women’s and gender studies. 
 
In recognition of Nick’s academic and extracurricular achievements in high school, he was awarded the Spirit of Excellence Scholarship, a full-tuition, four-year scholarship. His excitement to attend Duquesne only grew when he attended the First-Year Advisement Summer Transition program and met Spanish professor Dr. Carla Lucente. 
 
“She wanted to meet me and my parents and spoke to us in her office in the middle of the summer on a Saturday,” said Nick. “She didn’t have to be there, but she really wanted to get to know me, and she was so supportive and welcoming.”  

A horizon-expanding education

As Nick wrapped up his first year on the Bluff, he signed on for a study-abroad program led by Lucente. He was excited to explore such a substantial opportunity so early in his college career. He and two Duquesne classmates joined students from all over the world in Rome to learn together with the Villa Nazareth program. 
 
There, they took a class on intelligence operations with a former CIA case officer and another on the European Union. Nick enjoyed opportunities to visit the Vatican, explore Rome’s culture and make connections with seasoned professionals. 
 
“There was a private dinner where we hosted the Secretary of State of the Vatican,” said Nick. “I got to meet him, shake his hand and have a conversation.”
 
Shortly after the trip, Nick started to explore Lucente’s advice to consider adding an international relations major. 
 
“I didn't want to drop political science or Spanish, and she basically asked me, ‘Who said anything about dropping a major?’” said Nick. “She encouraged me to push myself.”
 
Not long after, Nick had an informational meeting with Dr. Kristen Coopie, director of pre-law, who helped him connect his existing majors to other fields. 
 
“She saw I only needed one more class to get a history minor and six more to get a history major, so I added a history major,” he said. “It was a product of all the encouragement I got from different faculty members over my early years. It was not the path I planned when I got here, but I wanted to challenge myself and they helped me do that.”

Prepared for anything

In addition to his heavy courseload, Nick found time for fun and campus engagement. He serves as a resident assistant, interned in a state representative’s office, participated in Red Masquers, and is involved in debate and mock trial, holding executive board positions with both organizations. 
 
“I love to compete and I love public speaking, so I get to combine those two interests there,” he said. “We’ve been able to find competitive success with mock trial. We won our regional last year, beating out teams like Pitt and Penn State, and I've made it to national semifinals for debate.”
 
After law school, Nick looks forward to using these advocacy, persuasion and public speaking skills as a trial lawyer.
 
“I’ve learned how to structure an argument and how to use evidence. It's a lot of fun,” he said. “I've met a lot of people who are now some of my best friends, but it's also helped me build skills that are going to be really useful in my career.”
 
Nick took the LSAT and applied to law schools under Coopie’s guidance.

“She gave me advice on study strategies so I was able to get a good score, and she connected me with a lot of good people,” he said.

Driven by compassion and empathy, Nick looks forward to incorporating his Spanish background in his future law practice as a public defender, civil rights lawyer or trial advocate. 
 
“The goal I have going into law is to serve people who are typically underserved,” said Nick. “I’m not sure exactly where my career in law will take me, but I like knowing that I have the skills I developed at Duquesne.”