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MELSA UCLA
Middle Eastern Pre-Law
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Representation Starts in the Classroom, Not the Courtroom

The Middle Eastern Pre-Law Student Association at UCLA. Empowering MENA students to pursue careers in law through community, opportunity, and mentorship.

Discover MELSAJoin the List
200+
Members
2024
Founded
∞
Possibilities
MELSA at UCLA
WHO WE ARE

Connecting you to the legal world

MELSA at UCLA is a student organization dedicated to supporting Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) undergraduates eyeing careers in law. Founded in 2024, we provide a community where heritage, scholarship, and ambition meet.

Through workshops, mentorship, and partnerships with legal professionals, we strive to give our members a bulletproof path to law school and beyond.

Community
A space where MENA voices are seen, heard, and championed.
Excellence
Rigorous preparation for the highest levels of legal practice.
Mentorship
Guidance from alumni, attorneys, and law school students.
Representation
Advancing MENA presence across the American legal field.
2025-2026

Meet the Board

The students leading MELSA at UCLA — each committed to building a thriving MENA pre-law community on campus.

VM
Vesta Mahjoub
President
IDS and Sociology, Junior, Criminal and International Law
MM
Mark Mouawad
External Vice President
Political Science, Junior, Corporate and Entertainment Law
George Garzouzi
George Garzouzi
Internal Vice President
Political Science, Senior, Real Estate Law
SA
Sarah Al Ozairi
Secretary
Business Economics, Junior, Corporate and International Law
RS
Reina Simaan
Academic Chair
Economics, Senior, Corporate Law
JG
Jayden Garmo
Co-Treasurer
Senior, Real Estate Law
SN
Sarah Naser
Co-Treasurer
Public Affairs, Junior, Public Defense
Alara Engel
Alara Engel
Events Co-Chair
Cognitive Science, Junior, Corporate and Intellectual Property Law
ZS
Zella Sarkissian
Events Co-Chair
Sophomore, Entertainment Law
Parmida Pirouzan
Parmida Pirouzan
Outreach Chair
History, Senior, Family and Immigration Law
CA
Carol Aziz
Social Media Chair
Philosophy, Senior, International Law
SB
Samuel Babanezhad
Recruitment Chair
Senior, ... Law
THE MELSA JOURNAL

Recent Writing

All Articles
Is It Time to Reevaluate Section 230?
Tech & Law
Is It Time to Reevaluate Section 230?
As the digital landscape evolves, the law must keep pace.
By MELSA Editorial
Mar 2025
Travel Ban 2.0: Legal Boundaries Tested
Immigration
Travel Ban 2.0: Legal Boundaries Tested
A new executive order revives the legal and policy debate.
By MELSA Editorial
Feb 2025
Inside the MENA Pre-Law Pipeline
Opinion
Inside the MENA Pre-Law Pipeline
How MELSA is changing the trajectory of MENA representation in American law.
By MELSA Editorial
Jan 2025
UPCOMING

Events & Gatherings

From law school panels to community gatherings — here's what's ahead.

20
May
MELSA Spring Social
Join us for our welcome back social at the Kerckhoff patio to meet the board and fellow aspiring pre-law students!
⏱ 12:30 AM📍 Kerckhoff Patio
RSVP