By Theresa Schliep 

Hillary Mantis has been appointed as the new director of pre-law advising at Fordham College at Rose Hill. Mantis takes over for the Interim Pre-Law Advisor Carla Romney, DSC, this week.

Mantis has served as the director of pre-law advising at Fordham College at Lincoln Center since 2005, and will now divide her time between the two campuses. Mantis began her career at Fordham 23 years ago. For 10 years, she has worked in the law school in different positions, from her position as director to the career services office.

“I have a strong background in law and career services,” said Mantis in a phone interview with The Fordham Ram. “I’m very familiar with career paths in law and the disciplines you can do with a law degree.”

Mantis attended Brown University for her undergraduate career and studied law at Boston College.

She has been a contributing columnist for Pre Law Magazine and had also written the book “Alternative Careers for Lawyers” and co-written “Jobs for Lawyers.”

Mantis expects there to be more work done in tandem with the pre-law advising programs at Lincoln Center and Rose Hill. For instance, she would like to bring the pre-law societies at both campuses together and invite them for a tour of Fordham Law School.

She also said students will now have an opportunity to meet with her at either campus.
“If you’re a pre-law student taking an English class at Lincoln Center, you can meet with me here at your convenience,” said Mantis.

Mantis said the pre-law programs at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center are similar in that the students share common questions and concerns.

“Pre-law students have the same basic interests whether a student at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center,” said Mantis. “The most common questions are regarding majors and law school.”

Part of Mantis’s transition will be managing a larger pre-law program at Rose Hill, due to the campus’ larger student body.

Still, Mantis plans to hold programs at both campuses, work more with Fordham Law School and invite school admissions directors to campus to speak and talk to students interested in pursuing a career in law.

Maura Mast, dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, anticipates welcoming Mantis as the director of pre-law advising and said Mantis’s dual role at the two campuses will be of benefit to pre-law students.

“This will be to the advantage of our students and our graduates, as they will be able to meet with Ms. Mantis at the campus that is convenient to them,” said Mast. “Ms. Mantis will also be planning events such as law school admissions and career panels that will benefit both Lincoln Center and Rose Hill students.”

Mast encourages students with questions about pre-law advising or law school admissions to reach out to Mantis.