Brandeis Sophomore Serves as Community Advocate, Aims Towards Legal Field

Anthony Ruiz, a sophomore Posse Scholar at Brandeis University, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and Hispanic studies. This summer, he completed a legal internship with the Law Offices of Saikon Gbehan in Rhode Island.

On campus, Anthony is involved in an array of justice-focused efforts, including the Right to Immigration Institute (TRII), where he serves as a client-facing volunteer and translator. TRII provides free immigration legal services in the greater Boston area and “empowers students to represent people in asylum, naturalization, and status adjustment cases.”

In recent years, Anthony also gained practical law experience at the Rodriguez Immigration Firm in Suwanee, Georgia, supporting clients with court documentation, managing case files, and observing consultations. He is currently training to become an accredited representative with the Department of Justice, which will allow him to take on entire cases and advocate for clients in immigration court.

“Posse has provided me with a network of individuals that I can reach out to during my time at Brandeis.”

As a Dean’s List student active in his community, Anthony says he is thankful for the Posse program and its connectivity.

“Posse has provided me with a network of individuals that I can reach out to during my time at Brandeis,” he says. “They support both my professional and personal well-being.”

Anthony has likewise served fellow students as a group coordinator and tutor with The Waltham Group, a local collective of service-oriented programs. Looking ahead, he is excited to be a Brandeis community advisor in first-year housing for the 22-23 school year, offering peer support and referrals to campus resources.

Anthony plans to use his wide-ranging experiences as stepping stones towards an eventual career as a civil rights attorney.