Meet our 2021 Valedictorians

Isabella Satz - Juris Doctor Valedictorian

“UNSW Law & Justice moulded me into the student, lawyer and citizen that I respect and am proud of.”

For two-time Dean’s List awarded Isabella Satz, studying a Juris Doctor was not only about academic excellence and learning the law, but working towards its reforms and creating systemic change: “I made sure to apply this knowledge both to develop myself as a lawyer with empathy and compassion for those on whom the law bears harshly, and in service of the community”.

Isabella’s passion for human rights and climate change extended into community engagement through professional volunteer positions at the Redfern Legal Centre and Australian Human Rights Institute.

Isabella also engaged in professional internships focused on social justice and policy at Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, the Australian Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid NSW and NSW Law Reform Commission.

“It is an honour to be named Valedictorian and a great end to my time at UNSW. Thank you to the UNSW Law & Justice faculty members and my peers for their guidance and support.” 

Samuel Jackson – Undergraduate Valedictorian

“It has been truly rewarding to have had a formative impact on the development of so many students, whom I’ve challenged students to approach studies with the faculty’s ethos of social justice.”

Graduating with a double First Class Honours in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Music, Samuel’s academic excellence was equated by extensive community service to the UNSW Law & Justice student community.

Following four years as a peer tutor for law courses, and as mentor for the UNSW Clerkship Mentoring Program, Samuel was nominated as an academic tutor for the 2021 Gateway Scholars Program, assisting underrepresented and disadvantaged students navigate their transition into UNSW Law & Justice.

Samuel also held active roles in the UNSW Law Society, leading socially impactful initiatives that sought to celebrate student cultural diversity and advocate for mental health and wellbeing.

Over the course of Samuel’s degree, he was also awarded five scholarships, including: New Colombo Plan, UNSW All-Rounder Scholarship, Ian Somervaille Scholarship, the Bill Pardy Scholarship and Legal Policy Scholarship with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre

"I am deeply honoured and privileged to be recognised as the 2021 Undergraduate Valedictorian. I am incredibly grateful to the wonderful academic staff at UNSW Law & Justice who have nurtured and inspired me to achieve academic excellence and pursue my passions, as well as my peers for providing such an enjoyable and supportive community and an intellectually driven environment".