Feature Stories 2025: Adrianna Pacheco ’22, JD ’25: A “UMass lifer” through and through

It was summer 2018 when Adrianna Pacheco ’22, JD ’25 chose UMass Dartmouth as her home away from home for the next four years, heart set on studying education and becoming the type of teacher that touched the lives of students. Drawn to the 4+1 Teacher Preparation program through the College of Arts and Sciences, it was a simple decision for the Warwick native—her wildest dreams were within reach on Ring Road. 

“I loved how campus felt like a little neighborhood,” said Pacheco, who declared history as her major with her passion for teaching in mind. “UMass Dartmouth stood out to me because it was large enough to feel independent, but not so large that I’d feel like a tiny fish in a big pond. From the start, everyone was so welcoming and treated me like they’d known me for years.” 

Pacheco’s connection to the University only blossomed when she joined Delta Pi Omega, where she made friendships with fellow students that kindled into a lifelong sisterhood. There wasn’t a single Corsair in the UMass Dartmouth community who didn’t support her through every endeavor, even when she shifted course in pursuit of a different career path: law. 

“Someone cared enough about me to help me when I needed it the most. I need to pay it forward and do that for someone else one day."

Since 2010, UMass Law has been the Commonwealth’s only public law school, renowned for its commitment to providing an accessible legal education that advances justice through research and clinical practice. While Pacheco applied to other law schools in the region, her experiences at UMass Dartmouth solidified her commitment to the School of Law, ultimately branding her as a “UMass lifer.” 

“I really trusted UMass Dartmouth, cliché as that may sound. There was just something about UMass Law’s motto: Pursue Justice,” explained Pacheco. "I knew that I couldn’t represent the people who need it the most if I just stopped at teaching. Going to law school would help me gain the additional skills required to be a true advocate for others. 

“There's often a power dynamic in law school, where students can feel disconnected, but I’ve never felt that way at UMass Law. I love that all the administrators are really involved, and all the professors respect the students,” continued Pacheco. She immersed herself right away in the Law community by being a member of Delta Theta Phi and doing pro bono work as part of the institution’s mission, including a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) clinic in Boston and an employment law clinic for those who feel they have been wronged by their employers. “I really enjoy doing pro bono work because I’m giving back to the community. It’s so fulfilling because you can see the change you’re making.” 

While Pacheco’s start to law school in fall 2022 was smooth, an unexpected issue arose that put her success in limbo by spring. ExamSoft, the company behind the SofTest exam program that allows students to take exams on their laptops, is used by several state bar examining authorities and law schools, including UMass Law. Laptops must meet certain specifications, and students are encouraged to register with ExamSoft to become proficient with it, better preparing them to pass state bar exams with flying colors. 

Pacheco's laptop couldn’t keep up with the demands of the program and began glitching. It was a problem that needed solving as soon as possible or else she’d have to handwrite the bar exam, a potential hindrance to her performance. 

“My handwriting is like a toddler’s,” joked Pacheco. “I knew that if I was faced with the alternative of handwriting the exam, I wouldn’t be able to do as well. I’m a 2000’s baby; I grew up with technology, so having a laptop was critical for me.” 

Then, Pacheco was awarded CATIC Foundation Endowment Scholarship that gave her the funds she needed to secure another laptop that was compatible with the exam software. As she prepares to take the bar exam shortly after graduating from the Law School in May 2025, Pacheco feels confident that the lessons she’s learned and the resources she’s obtained will help her ace it. 

“Someone cared enough about me to help me when I needed it the most. I need to pay it forward and do that for someone else one day,” said Pacheco, who already tries her best to give back as a mentor for current students in her sorority at UMass Dartmouth and is eager to do more in the future. 

Still, Pacheco hasn’t forgotten her love for teaching. She holds onto hope that she’ll become a law professor and make an impact in the educational law field. She has the best of both worlds at her fingertips, a possibility made real through the invaluable scholarship support that truly saved the day.