Biography

Catherine Deyarmond joined St. Mary’s University in April 2024 as Associate Director of Law Communications. In this role, she promotes the interests of the School of Law, primarily through electronic communications, web-based and printed publications, and social media.

Deyarmond came to St. Mary’s with 16 years of higher education experience at UT Health San Antonio and Our Lady of the Lake University. During her time at these universities, she worked in media relations, communications, publications, social media, marketing and advancement.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism from UT Austin, Deyarmond began her career in print journalism, working as a reporter and section editor for The Huntsville Item and the McKinney Courier-Gazette. During her college years, she worked part time at the San Antonio Express-News and the Austin American-Statesman.

When she moved back to her hometown in the 1990s, San Antonio had become a one-newspaper town. With no writing jobs available, she became Executive Producer of KTSA 550 AM News Talk Radio. Deyarmond scheduled and prepared guests for the talk show hosts to interview on air.

She later worked in new home marketing, where she expanded her marketing and advertising skillset, but her love of higher education drew her back to marketing the product that benefits all – higher education.

She knows firsthand the benefits of a college degree, and the professional career it has afforded her. After graduating from Highlands High School in San Antonio, Deyarmond was fortunate to receive a four-year endowed scholarship to attend college.

Deyarmond is particularly excited to be able to share the achievements and impactful stories of the School of Law. With its dedication to celebrating inclusivity, valuing the dignity of all of its members, and assisting community members battling social and economic injustices, she is proud to continue to grow the school’s reputation.

Biography

Jacqueline is the staff attorney for the Housing Rights Project at the Center for Legal and Social Justice at St. Mary’s University School of Law. Jacqueline assists clients with eviction defense and advises clients on remedies for tenant’s issues. She also assists the supervising attorney with seminars, trainings, and other community outreach events on behalf of the Housing Rights Project.

Prior to her role at St. Mary’s, Jacqueline practiced family law, probate law, and estate planning in San Antonio. She continues representing children as an ad litem in Child Protective Services cases. She still assists with estate planning through her non-profit, Cindy’s Angels. Jacqueline is a St. Mary’s University School of Law graduate and was a staff writer on The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race & Social Justice.

Jacqueline grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She attended Incarnate Word High School and graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2013. She has been published locally and nationally in The San Antonio Report (formerly The Rivard Report), San Antonio Magazine, and the Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality.

Articles in a Periodical

• State Bar of Texas Poverty Law Conference Presenter 2023; Defending Tenants in Justice Court from A-Z
• Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality (2020)
• Battle of the Sexes: A History of Social Change and a Solution for Maintaining a Child’s Best Interest in Light of the #MeToo Movement

Biography

Nicole Monsibais (M.P.A. ’11, J.D. ’12) is the Director of Law Career Strategy in the Office of Career Strategy (OCS). In this role, she advises and encourages law students and alumni as they explore career opportunities, including preparing them for potential challenges. As a first-generation law graduate, Monsibais understands the transformative impact that staff can have on a student’s career trajectory. With a passion for individualized student support, she is eager to be part of their career development journey.

Prior to attending law school, Monsibais worked in the public sector, serving as a Luna Scholar at the Texas State Capitol, an Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C., and as staff at nonprofit organizations. As a law student, Nicole served as a Senator on the Student Bar Association, as Vice President of the Women’s Law Association, as a Staff Writer on The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race & Social Justice, and as a Teaching Assistant for the Civil Justice Clinic.

Upon graduation, Monsibais was a Clinical Administration Fellow at the St. Mary’s University Center for Legal and Social Justice. This unique role allowed her to spearhead initiatives, develop partnerships, manage external grants, and coordinate outreach programs that provided opportunities for law students to engage in legal services while serving the community.

Subsequently at other institutions of higher education, she oversaw compliance, specifically regarding university policy and laws related to campus security, equal opportunity, disability access, anti-harassment, non-discrimination, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence. Monsibais led the investigation, adjudication, and resolution of complaints, and provided training and consultation regarding compliance, regulations, and best practices.

She has presented at numerous local and national conferences on topics ranging from student services to contract management. Monsibais also chaired a university-wide inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility council, and served as the president of staff assembly.

Biography

Smith’s background is comprised of strong leadership and diverse experiences that has played an integral role in her career.

Smith, J.D., Ed.D., is well-versed in many facets of higher education which includes student conduct, disabilities services, Title IX, student activities, and internal compliance reviews.

She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Master’s degree in Counseling Personnel Services with an emphasis on College Student Personnel. She obtained her certificate of graduate study in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University, a Doctorate in Higher Education (Ed.D.) from AU-Atlanta. Smith recently earned her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from WMU-Cooley Law School.

Prior to joining St. Mary’s University School of Law, Smith served as an Associate Dean of Residence and Student Life at Kentucky State University, Associate Dean of Student Affairs at South University-Savannah, Adjunct Faculty, and an Area Coordinator for Housing and Residential Education at Vanderbilt University.

• Conflict Management, Professional Development Presentation, Virtual, Savannah, GA, 2023, 2012
• Ole Miss Way: Excellent Customer Service, Candidate Presentation, Oxford, MS, 2016
• Eagles Engaged: Enhanced Pathway Experiences, Candidate Presentation, Hattiesburg, MS, 2016
• The Power of Social Media, Student Leadership Training, Savannah, GA, 2013, 2015, 2016
• Faculty & Student Engagement, Professional Development Presentation, 2012
• Got Leadership? Student Leadership Training, Savannah, GA, 2012
• The Student Leadership Challenge, Student Leadership Training, Savannah, GA, 2012
• College Student Success: Formula for Student Persistence, Doctoral Coursework, Atlanta, GA, 2012
• Advising Student Groups & Organizations, Professional Development Presentation, Savannah, GA, 2011
• Driving Education with a Purpose: A Roadmap to creating a Living Learning Community, NASPA Conference, 2011
• The Price of the Privilege, Professional Development Presentation, Nashville, TN, 2010

Biography

Native to San Antonio, Chavez dedicates his professional career to the advancement of his community. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he served as an educator to underserved students throughout South Texas.

Continuing efforts to assist those in need, Chavez spent a portion of his academic time at St. Mary’s Law to volunteer under the guidance of Sister Grace Walle, providing pro bono services to local and national sites in dire need of legal assistance.

During law school, and after becoming licensed to practice law, Chavez worked within nonprofits and private practice firms in the area of Family Law. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and an active member of the San Antonio Bar Association, the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Mexican American Bar Association, and the Hispanic Law Alumni Association of St. Mary’s. Chavez is a first-generation lawyer and remains committed to the advancement of the profession serving under St. Mary’s School of Law.

Biography

Juan M. Perez graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2021. Perez has always been passionate about representing his community during law school. As a law student, he volunteered to mentor young children with the Huppertz Elementary Mentorship Program.

Additionally, Perez participated in the Jones Day’s Laredo Project in Laredo, Texas during one of St. Mary’s alternative spring breaks. Perez worked with a team of attorneys from the USA and Mexico to visit detention centers to help prepare detained women with their credible fear interviews.

Juan participated with the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic as a student attorney in 2021. Juan also worked for the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid during law school as part of the Telephone Access to Justice Project (TAJ). After graduation, Juan joined St. Mary’s clinical program as a Clinical Fellow to continue his work in the immigration field under the guidance of School of Law Clinical Professor of Law and Englehardt Research Fellow Erica Schommer, J.D.

Biography

Samantha (Sam) Doiron graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2022. During her time in law school, Sam worked on numerous immigration issues through the pro bono program. She was the Coordinator for the RAICES Immigration Court Observation program, as well as for the Afghan Relocation Project. Sam also did independent pro bono hours researching complex immigration matters for volunteer attorneys with RAICES. She was a member of the Texas State Bar Pro Bono College student division for three consecutive years.

Sam participated in the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic as a student attorney before continuing her time with the clinic as Professor Erica Schommer’s TA. Sam also clerked with DeMott, McChesney, Curtright, and Armendariz, a leading immigration law firm in San Antonio. After graduation, Sam joined St. Mary’s clinical program as a Clinical Fellow to continue her work in the immigration field under guidance from Professor Schommer.

• Dean’s Award, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2022
• Texas Bar Association Pro Bono College, Student Member, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Women in Law Leadership Award, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Law Faculty Award for Academic Excellence in Professional Responsibility, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2020

Biography

Veronica Elizalde, J.D., (B.A. ’97) leads employer engagement efforts at the Office of Career Strategy (OCS), fostering relationships to expand opportunities for law students and alumni. She manages the On Campus Interview (OCI) Program and counsels law students, alumni, and LL.M. students on career development, offering guidance on job search strategies, document preparation, and interview techniques. Elizalde also contributes to developing career-related programming with the OCS team.

She was elected to serve as a Regional Representative for the Southeast Region on the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and currently serves on the Sunbelt Recruitment Program Board. She is also a member of the San Antonio American Inns of Court, the San Antonio Bar Association, and the Mexican American Bar Association of San Antonio.

A University of Texas School of Law graduate, Elizalde practiced for five years, specializing in high-volume, delinquent ad valorem tax litigation. She holds a B.A. in English-Communication Arts from St. Mary’s University.

Outside of work, Elizalde enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking on LesMills+ challenges, and reading fiction.

Biography

As the current Assistant Director of J.D. Admissions, Fickel counsels prospective students and applicants on the J.D. program application process. She is responsible for educating prospective students about the various aspects of St. Mary’s Law.  She also engages prospective students through the use of social media by connecting them with current St. Mary’s Law students, faculty, and staff.

She is an alumna of Kenyon College in Ohio where she studied international environmental policy and practice with an emphasis on sustainable development. At Kenyon, she also worked in the undergraduate admissions office as a tour guide and a Senior Admissions Fellow. It was in these positions that she helped high school students understand the intricacies of higher education through the lens of a current undergraduate. There, she discovered her passion for access to higher education and diversity in academia.

During her free time, Johanna enjoys reading novels, learning new songs on her guitar, and going on hikes with her rescue dog.

Biography

Brooke Pate, Director of Law Alumni Relations, joined St. Mary’s University in September of 2022. Brooke holds a bachelor’s and MPA degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Brooke also obtained her Nonprofit Administration and Leadership Certificate from UTSA.

Brooke has spent over 14 years in the education sector. Prior to joining St. Mary’s, she was the Volunteer Resource Manager for the North East Independent School District and The North East Educational Foundation serving 60,000 students and their families.

Brooke believes building meaningful relationships with alumni is important to the University and its increasingly diverse student body. She looks forward to engaging alumni and providing tangible benefits to alumni, the University and current students.

Brooke grew up in San Antonio, she is married to her husband Robert. In her free time, she likes to cheer on the Roadrunners, pick up a good book or be out in nature with her 4 rescue dogs.