TAMPA, Fla. (March 31, 2021) – As an honors English student during the nation’s awakening to systemic racism, Matthew Gallot-Baker knew that minority students like him who aspire to law careers face barriers their white counterparts do not. And that this was the time for change.
So in 2020, he founded Minorities in Pre-Law at USF, a student organization that addresses those challenges. It negotiated discounts on LSAT preparation courses; created a database of law schools; and developed the Allies in Law mentorship program, which has paired 75 USF undergraduates with more than six dozen Boston University law students and attorneys.
Minorities in Pre-Law now has chapters at the University of Tampa and Stetson University, as well as a Women in Pre-Law committee.
Gallot-Baker’s dedication to creating opportunities for himself and fellow students dates to his first year at USF, when he joined the USF Mock Trial Team. He thrived on the simulated courtroom competitions and the values the group espoused, so he became president within a year and mentored high school Mock Trial participants.
He joined The Oracle student newspaper staff as an editor, helping ensure campus news – including USF’s diversity initiatives – were accurately detailed for readers. He joined USF’s Center of Leadership and Civic Engagement, where he became vice chair of leadership training. He was also selected to serve on a Student Government advisory council focused on issues around racism and sexual assault.
Gallot-Baker, who became the first recipient of the Student Government Bulls Impact Award, is graduating with a 3.87 GPA and a minor in political science. He will be recognized during USF’s Commencement on May 8. He plans to attend Boston University Law School in the fall.
About the USF Alumni Association
The USF Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization composed of former students and friends of the University of South Florida. Our mission is to provide meaningful ways for USF Bulls to support, protect and promote their university. There are more than 365,000 USF graduates worldwide. For more information, log on to www.usfalumni.org, like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USFalumni or follow us on Twitter @USFAlumniAssn.