Alumni Spotlight

Ashley Rooney, a 2024 graduate of UMass Amherst, is currently pursuing her J.D. at American University’s Washington College of Law, where she’s drawing from her experiences in political science and Italian studies at UMass.

Ashley’s interest in law started in high school after taking AP U.S. Government and American Foreign Policy, but it wasn’t until she began her political science coursework at UMass that she fully committed to the path. Her passion for international law grew thanks to her Italian Studies major and her International Relations certificate. Studying Italian alongside political science played a key role in shaping her interest in international law.

Ashley was initially drawn to Italian as a way to reconnect with her roots, and the community and support within the UMass Italian department helped deepen that connection. Over the course of four semesters, she worked closely with Professor Melina Masterson—an experience that led to her role as the department’s social media organizer. She found it to be a uniquely rewarding part of her undergraduate career, offering the rare opportunity to collaborate one-on-one with a professor and contribute to a department she deeply valued.

One of Ashley’s fondest memories was a picnic at a local lake during Professor Roberto Ludovico’s Conversation Suite class, where students played games and practiced speaking in a relaxed setting. “I really appreciated that nontraditional learning environment,” she says, believing it helped her and other students develop their language skills far more than simply reading from a page or answering questions in a typical classroom setting.

Beyond academics, Ashley was involved in Alpha Epsilon Phi, the Pre-Law Club, Leading Women of Tomorrow, and Her Campus. She also studied abroad in Sorrento during a winter program in 2023. She encourages students to study abroad—even if they go solo. “You’ll meet people there. Going out of my comfort zone helped me build confidence and self-esteem.”

Now, Ashley is at American University, and she’s already getting involved and making an impact. She was recently offered a position on the International Law Review, where she plans to write her comment on Italy’s immigration policies. Her inspiration came from a class she took in undergrad on Italian hip hop taught by Professor Masterson. She says that class truly opened her eyes to the experiences of immigrant communities in Italy and sparked her interest in the country’s political climate, especially with the more recent changes in policies.

 She’s also a teaching fellow with the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, bringing constitutional education and oral advocacy skills to D.C. high schools. On top of that, Ashley is involved in several organizations, including the National Lawyers Guild Advance for first-generation law students and If/When/How, a group focused on bodily autonomy and reproductive justice.

For Italian majors considering paths beyond language or academia, Ashley encourages them to think broadly. Italian classes at UMass, she says, offer more than grammar—they provide insight into culture, politics, and history that can apply to any field. Though she’s now in D.C., she carries the UMass Italian experience with her and hopes to share it with others—possibly by founding an Italian American Law Student Society at American University next year. -interview by Isabella Veraldi, SM-ITAL '25.

Our alumni demonstrate that the possibilities are endless for Italian Studies students. Cameron Prescott, who graduated this past spring with a BA in Italian Studies and Political Science, is a testament to the value of learning a second language. Although he didn’t initially plan to major in Italian when he began his journey at UMass, Cameron is grateful for the decision that ultimately shaped his academic and professional aspirations.

Cameron's passion has always been law; however, during his sophomore year he enrolled in an Italian class to fulfill a language requirement—a choice that marked the beginning of a new academic path. After completing Italian 240, the final course in our language sequence, Cameron decided to pursue a minor in Italian and studied abroad to further immerse himself in the language and culture. His time abroad was a pivotal experience that broadened his global perspective. While overseas, he even took political science courses focused on Italian law, which deepened his understanding of governance and legal systems. These courses not only enhanced his appreciation for law and societal order but also inspired him to declare a second major in Italian Studies upon his return to Amherst.

Cameron completed the remainder of his Italian Studies major through a diverse selection of courses, including those exploring literature, culture, and Renaissance-era politics in Professor Papio’s Medici class. He found the literature courses particularly impactful in preparing for the LSAT. The intensive analysis and critical thinking required to interpret pre-modern Italian literature closely mirror the skills needed for success on the LSAT, which emphasizes reading comprehension and logical reasoning.

Another highlight of Cameron’s academic journey was our integrative experience course, “Italy and the Mediterranean.” This class enriched his cultural competency and allowed him to explore Italy’s diverse customs and traditions. The knowledge he gained from this course even inspired him to consider pursuing a master’s program abroad, further solidifying his global perspective.

We are incredibly proud of Cameron and all he has accomplished. As he finishes his law school applications, we wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing the remarkable impact he will undoubtedly make in his future endeavors. -interview by Chloe Small, BA-ITAL '26