Nwadi Onyeukwu ‘27

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Nwadi Onyeukwu is on track to earn her law degree a year ahead of schedule, and she’s making time along the way to help a fellow student build confidence in her own future.

The third-year student at Widener University Commonwealth Law School began law school part-time before moving to full-time study after her first year. By taking on summer coursework, she put herself on track to graduate in May 2027, a year earlier than she originally planned.

She hopes to return home to New York City to practice family law, helping children and families navigate some of life’s most important decisions.

Her path has been shaped by professors who recognized her potential, classmates who supported her, and a growing belief in her own abilities. Now, she’s sharing that encouragement with others.

Born and raised in New York, Onyeukwu, who goes by Nwadi, began thinking about becoming a lawyer after an attorney visited her high school. When she shared that interest with her guidance counselor, she said, he questioned her ability to get into law school. She initially chose another direction.

Onyeukwu enrolled at West Virginia University to study early childhood education. She loved children, but she eventually realized her interests lay elsewhere. She returned to New York, transferred colleges, and began studying criminal justice.

There, her professors included lawyers and judges whose classes renewed her interest in a legal career. They later helped her take the next step by writing recommendations for law school.

Her interest in family law came from much closer to home. A close friend had endured an abusive marriage and a custody battle without the resources to afford the legal help she needed. Other friends faced similar circumstances, strengthening Onyeukwu’s resolve to become someone who could help.

“This work matters to me because it allows me to protect children, support families during their most vulnerable moments, and bring clarity to complex legal battles,” she said.

At Widener Law Commonwealth, that goal began with the Trial Admissions Program, an intensive introduction to legal study that gave her an opportunity to demonstrate her ability to succeed.

“Widener truly saw my potential, gave me a chance, and supported me,” she said. “Something I will never take for granted.”

By the first day of law school, she had already completed that program and earned her place in the incoming class. Professor Mary Kate Kearney, who had taught her during the program, encouraged her to carry the confidence and assertiveness she had shown in class into her law school experience.

Onyeukwu still returns to that advice when she needs a reminder to trust herself.

She also found encouragement in feedback that pushed her to grow. In legal methods class, Professor Robert Teplitz reviewed her memorandum draft and identified ways she could strengthen her writing and earn a higher grade.

She put his advice into practice. Her grades improved, and the experience helped her see what she could accomplish with focused effort.

“What felt like strictness at the time was mere discipline, which allowed me to excel in legal methods I and II,” she said.

An internship in custody and mediation at the Dauphin County courthouse gave her a closer look at the work she hopes to pursue. She observed custody proceedings and helped with scheduling matters, seeing how mediation could help parents work toward arrangements for their children.

On campus, she’s already putting her commitment to supporting others into practice.

When Onyeukwu met Megan Clement, then a first-year student adjusting to law school, their shared Nigerian background helped them connect. Onyeukwu offered outlines, studied with her and worked through unfamiliar material alongside her.

“I just gave her everything that I wish somebody gave me,” she said.

She’s received that kind of care herself. When a challenging time disrupted a semester, her close friend and classmate Dayona Bray helped cover her rent and made sure she had the notes and support she needed to keep up.

Professor Chiara Pappalardo helped her find ways to balance academic responsibilities with her health. Dean andré douglas pond cummings helped her feel seen and accepted as a student of color.

That support has helped her balance a demanding course load with other milestones. One summer, she balanced two intensive courses while preparing for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. Passing it gave her another reason to feel proud of her progress.

As she looks toward graduation and a career serving families, Onyeukwu carries the encouragement she’s received into her relationships with others. Her advice to her younger self reflects the confidence she’s built along the way:

“The sky is the limit, and nothing you want is ever out of reach.”

Interview was conducted in Fall 2026.