Matthew Riojas reminiscence - October 20, 2022

Hey, my name is Matthew Rios. I've worked at the law school for 25 years. 28 years? If you count my time as a student.

I received my JD E in 1996 and my of taxation in 2004. And I've been a proud member of Loyola Law School on the student side and the administrative side.

I identify myself. I'm a Mexican-American student. I was born in California, but I have a proud Mexican heritage for myself and my children.

My children are Mexican citizens. I am male, cisgender, male, straight. I'm married, been married for 20 years this year, and I'm Catholic, but are and I am staunchly an ally

for many causes. Being an alum, you Loyola law school student for me was. Influential.

It was the beginning. It helped me become who I am. It helped shape my professional development. It helped shape me as a person transform, if you

will, who I am as a person and has opened up exposure to many communities that I consider myself a member of and only add to the richness that that that contributes to the life that I lead and the

life that I impart to my children. I am a first generation law student. My father graduated from college, but I am a first generation law student and I don't take that lightly.

I believe it is an obligation that inures to my community. And it is a large community. It is an inclusive community where I try to share

anyone's ability to achieve what I have achieved, which by sheer numbers is phenomenal because of the percentages, because of the different variations. But I think it helps when I am in front

of younger children, when I'm in front of folks who feel disenfranchized that they too can be a part of it, can achieve it, and avail themselves of the responsibilities and the privilege that it is to be a lawyer

in the community. As a student with a particular racial and ethnic gender orientation I experienced. So, look, I can say that in law school, in

education, in higher education, as a student of color, in a profession, as a profession of color, there have been moments where you aren't accepted. It's a surprise.

There's the shock and awe that you've achieved these levels. But I can tell you times they are changing. More and more people are accepting and understanding of the achievement that individually you can and I serve to be

a mentor for those communities. At every point that I can, because I firmly believe that education is a liberating tool that can never be taken away or minimized at and will only help you

advance your position. Okay, look. Today I want to share pride. I am prideful of being a member of the Loyola

Law School community. I am a member of its reach. I am a member of its inclusive inclusivity. I am a member of its diversity.

I am reflective of that diversity and inclusivity. And that only embraces many communities. And I'm just proud to be be part of that. When I was in law school, I was part of

La Raza law students. And why? While it might have been a part of just a small subset, we had collaborations.

We supported other organizations, both Appaloosa and LG. Even the Criminal Law Society. Anything that was going to impact the profession as lawyers but impact the community.

Loyola Law School has an extraordinary commitment to public interest, and that public interest commitment is instilled in each and every student to give back to a community and not just a local community, but a global community to give

back and advance humankind. And I think that is a noble endeavor. Probably my most memorable experience is on an individual level. It is a memorable experience with each and every individual

that I encounter along the journey. They enrich the journey. They made it better. They made the experience meaningful and those things to continue

in the profession. I can contact colleagues that are in practice for advice. I can contact colleagues that are out of practice and just say, Hey, what's going on?

And in an instance, we will live our connection. Aligned with Loyola Law schools are commonality, but advancing our communities, the global communities beyond that makes me proud. Thank you.