Five recent graduates from the College of Staten Island have begun their legal education this fall at some of the nation’s most respected law schools, carrying with them not only prestigious scholarships but also the skills, confidence, and determination honed during their undergraduate journeys at CSI.

For these students, the dream of law school was nurtured by the Pre-Law Society and the Legal Studies Institute, where mentorship, rigorous academics, and a supportive community of peers turned ambition into opportunity.

“CSI has provided me with the opportunity, the education, and the support to pursue my goals and prove my own doubts wrong,” said James Martino, a Psychology graduate now headed to St. John’s University School of Law on a three-year merit scholarship worth $105,000. “Two years ago, I was a college dropout. Today, I’m about to begin law school.”

Martino, who credits Professor Michael Paris, faculty adviser to the Pre-Law Society, with guiding him every step of the way, is considering careers in appellate litigation, corporate litigation, or government.

For Kelly Henry, a Political Science graduate of CSI’s Macaulay Honors College, the path to law school felt natural but was made tangible through faculty mentorship. She will attend Albany Law School on a full-tuition President’s Scholarship valued at nearly $192,000.

“I knew I wanted to attend law school before I got to CSI, but I really found my direction once I took a class with Prof. Paris,” Henry said. “The Pre-Law Society was such an incredible resource—it connected me with LSAT prep, internships, and the support of peers going through the same process.”

Henry, who minored in Legal Studies and Computer Science, is interested in exploring cybersecurity or public interest law and hopes to work in government. She also currently serves as a Community Liaison for State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a fellow CSI alum.

Joseph Fuda, a 2023 graduate in Economics with a minor in Political Science, took a less direct route. Initially drawn to finance, he realized after graduation that his true passion lay in law. This fall, he enters Widener University Commonwealth Law School with a three-year half-tuition scholarship totaling $81,000.

“It wasn’t until about a year after I graduated that I knew I had to follow my dreams,” Fuda said. “Dr. Paris gave me an abundance of assistance in navigating the application process. This is help I will never forget.”

Fuda intends to explore mergers and acquisitions law, while also considering careers in government service.

Together, these students exemplify the strength of CSI’s Pre-Law pipeline: rigorous coursework across multiple disciplines, personalized faculty mentorship, and real-world experiences that prepare graduates for the competitive landscape of law school admissions.

As Kelly Henry reflected: “Receiving this scholarship means everything to me. CSI provided me the opportunities and resources to grow both academically and personally, giving me the confidence that I’m on the right track to achieve a successful career in law.”

Those wishing to learn more about the Pre Law Society and Legal Studies Institute can do so via their Website.

CSI Pre-Law Class of 2025 – Law School Admits

  • Kelly Henry (BA, Political Science, Macaulay Honors College, 2024) – Albany Law School, full-tuition President’s Scholarship ($192,000).
  • Joseph Fuda (BS, Economics, 2023) – Widener University Commonwealth Law School, half-tuition scholarship ($81,000).
  • James Martino (BS, Psychology, 2025) – St. John’s University School of Law, merit scholarship ($105,000).
  • Karen Kellieh (BA, Political Science, 2025) – CUNY School of Law.
  • Ayet Odeh (BA, International Studies, 2024) – Seton Hall Law School, full-tuition scholarship ($207,000).

See complete bios of all scholarship recipients here.

Brendan Costello Receives Robert J. Scamardella Fund for Equal Legal Education Opportunity

Thanks to the generosity of the Law Firm of Robert J. Scamardella, CSI, Class of 1972, and his partners Michael Gervasi and Leslie Kasegrande, the Legal Studies Institute has been able to sponsor students who receive stipends for full-time summer internships at Staten Island Legal Services, an agency providing free legal representation to poor people on Staten Island. So far, four students have received stipends for summer internships. This year’s recipient of the scholarship was Brendan Costello, a returning college student with a background in hospitality, project management, operations, and team leadership, as well as a record of academic excellence. With a proven track record of driving business growth, streamlining operations, and managing complex budgets of up to $350K, Brendan is now eager to apply these strengths in law school and the legal profession beyond.

Pictured L-R, Top Row: Kelly Henry, James Martino, Ayet Odeh. Bottom Row: Joseph Fuda, Karen Kellieh, Brendan Costello.