The 2026 incoming class at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law welcomes 308 students, including 20 students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy and Administration Programs (MPP and MPA) and 10 students in the Master of Science in Law (MSL) Program. 

In this article, three master's students at McGeorge School of Law, two MPA students and one MSL student, share their experiences of becoming graduate students.

Meet Dulce Alfaro ‘28 - MPA Program

Dulce Alfaro ‘28 grew up in Woodland, California, and graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) with a degree in sociology. During her time at SDSU, Alfaro was a campus representative, partnering with brands like Amazon Prime, Samsung, and Target to sell their products to their target audiences. 

For the past two years, Alfaro has been an outreach specialist for Yolo County in her hometown of Woodland. There, she handles in-person and virtual outreach to the community by collaborating on press releases, attending community events, working with nonprofits and community-based organizations, and creating social media content. 

“I realized that the local government is the dream space of where I wanted to be because that’s where change can happen,” Alfaro said. “And so that’s when I realized I feel like I need to go to a master’s program to expand on that knowledge and keep learning and keep challenging myself.”

When looking into programs, Alfaro knew she needed a flexible program that would allow her to continue working. McGeorge’s hybrid learning model gives students flexible online coursework plus in-person Saturday sessions on campus. 

“From the few events I’ve attended, I’ve met so many different students from all over who have been brought to McGeorge through different paths and for different reasons,” Alfaro said. “I want to keep connecting and taking the skills that McGeorge will provide me to be able to apply them to not only my professional field and career but my personal life too.”

A first-generation student and the first in her family to attend a master's program, Alfaro recalled how welcoming McGeorge’s community felt when she was accepted.  She described the moment as a “full circle” after learning her mom gained assistance from McGeorge JD students in the Immigration Law Clinic to help study for her citizenship test.

Meet Rammy Salem ‘28 - MPA Program

Originally from Bayonne, New Jersey, Assistant Professor of Practice Rammy Salem ‘28 completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University, earning a bachelor’s in government and Middle Eastern studies. Continuing his higher education, Salem earned his PhD in psychological and brain sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Currently a professor at the University of Pacific’s Stockton Campus, Salem sought to earn his fourth degree at McGeorge. 

After moving to California, Salem learned of a program run by the City of Sacramento called the City Management Academy, a 10-week program that teaches individuals how the local government functions, directly with city leaders. Salem described the program as eye-opening.

“My participation in that program kind of reignited my desire to serve my community more through public service, and it left me wanting to increase mt knowledge of municipal operations and how the government functions,” Salem said. “So, that desire to deepen my knowledge of public management and governance is what motivated me to apply to the MPA Program.”

Salem explains that McGeorge’s MPA Program stood out to him for many reasons: the faculty members’ real-world experience, guest speakers, opportunities for internships and externships, and the curriculum’s link to law. 

“Also, the fact that the MPA Program is specifically housed at a law school because pretty much virtually all aspects of public sector work are inextricably linked to the rule of law,” Salem said. “I appreciate the fact that law classes are a part of the curriculum because having a proper understanding of the law is necessary. And McGeorge happens to also be one of the top law schools in the nation.” 

For the second year in a row, McGeorge was ranked #1 in the nation for government law by National Jurist Magazine in 2026.

In his current classes, Salem tells his students about the importance of being civically engaged citizens. Now enrolled in the program, Salem sees this experience as “practicing what I preach.” With McGeorge’s MPA flexible coursework, Salem is able to remain a full-time professor while also being a full-time student.

Meet Priscila Morales ‘28 - MSL Program

Growing up in a small rural town an hour north of Sacramento called Colusa, Priscila Morales ‘28 remembers wanting to leave her hometown from a young age. She also remembers her mom telling her that “an education would free you.”

Taking those words to heart, Morales attended Sacramento State University, majoring in communication studies and minoring in political science. During her time in undergrad, Morales was a part of the Sacramento State College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP), which specifically helped students who came from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds succeed in college. 

After interning for CAMP, Morales applied for an internship at the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento and gained the opportunity to work with State Sen. Melissa Hurtado. Out of undergrad, Morales was originally hired as a scheduler for Sen. Hurtado but is now a legislative aide. 

“Since I was an intern, she [Senator Hurtado] has always let me be curious, ask questions, and explore anything I’ve wanted to work on,” Morales said. “So, this year I’ve asked her if I can bring up some policies that could potentially help students and people from farm-working backgrounds.”

Morales was drawn to McGeorge’s MSL Program not only because of its flexibility and the ability to continue working full-time, but also because the course gives her the ability to apply her knowledge in real time. On top of that, Morales mentioned that she hoped to connect with her current classmates and network with alumni. 

“Some of the students in my class are international students and have been attorneys in other countries. And I think that’s amazing; it’s so enriching, and there's really such a diverse background,” Morales said. “Another thing is probably tapping into their [McGeorge] alumni network is amazing. I went to a lot of events, and the alumni there were really welcoming and super nice.”

Morales is pursuing her Master of Science in Law (MSL) with a concentration in Government and Policy.