Acosta Scholar Nimsi Garcia Sandoval Aims to Empower Immigrant Communities Through Law
Nimsi Garcia Sandoval ’27, recipient of the 2025 Jeanette M. Acosta Scholarship, plans to use her law degree to serve marginalized communities.
Nimsi Garcia Sandoval ’27, winner of the 2025 Jeanette M. Acosta Scholarship, has long used storytelling as a tool for justice.
Born in Mexico and raised in San Mateo County, she began documenting the lives of Latinx immigrants and teen mothers in high school—sharing their stories at national conferences. Since then, she’s worked as an educator and advocate for undocumented students. Now at UC Law San Francisco, she’s pursuing her next goal: becoming a public-interest lawyer that will fight for immigrant communities.
Through donor support, the Jeanette M. Acosta Scholarship empowers students to pursue their calling at UC Law SF. It honors the legacy of Jeanette M. Acosta, a 2016 alumna and social justice advocate who died in 2017. The $5,000 award is given annually to a student who shows a strong commitment to social justice and serving the Latinx community.
In this Q&A, Garcia Sandoval shares what drives her, what this scholarship means to her, and how she plans to use her legal training to create systemic change.
Q: What inspired you to pursue law school?
A: After earning a bachelor’s in economics from UC Berkeley, I returned to the community college where I started my higher education journey. I also worked with other organizations that serve low-income, first-generation immigrant youth. While this work was deeply fulfilling, I saw the immense barriers many faced in accessing affordable, quality legal services. This motivated me to pursue a legal education so I could advocate for my community and empower youth to do the same.
Q: What drew you to UC Law San Francisco?
A: With strong support for first-generation and underrepresented students through programs like the Legal Education Opportunity Program and the First-Generation Program, UC Law SF stood out as a place where I could thrive academically while pursuing my mission to serve marginalized communities.
Q: What experiences led you to apply for this scholarship?
A: Jeanette’s social justice values and fierce advocacy for Latinx and immigrant communities deeply resonated with my personal and professional journey. Hearing stories about her leadership from mentors in my hometown of North Fair Oaks affirmed that this scholarship honors a powerful role model whose legacy continues to guide future Latina legal professionals like me.
Q: What does this scholarship mean to you?
A: Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor. Jeanette M. Acosta’s legacy represents courage, commitment, and a deep belief in justice for marginalized communities. This scholarship reinforced my dedication to advocating for immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants who are facing increased levels of persecution. The scholarship also helps ease the financial stress of affording law school, allowing me to prioritize my studies.
Q: Is there a message you’d like to share with potential donors to UC Law SF scholarships?
A: Thank you for investing in students who are committed to building a more just and equitable society. Your support helps break down financial barriers and makes legal education more accessible to future advocates passionate about serving their community. Your generosity helps turn our dreams of justice into reality.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your law degree?
A: I hope to build a career that bridges legal advocacy and community empowerment. I aim to provide legal services to underserved immigrant communities and mentor first-generation students aspiring to enter the legal profession. Ultimately, I want to use the law as a tool for systemic equity and transformation.
The Jeanette M. Acosta Scholarship honors the legacy of a 2016 UC Law SF alumna who championed the rights of marginalized communities before passing away in 2017 after a courageous battle with cervical cancer. Donate here to support this scholarship.