CCBC Alumna, President's Distinguished Graduate Finalist
Roheen came from Pakistan to CCBC with dreams of working in medicine—and left with a passion for law.
Life often takes us on expected journeys and Roheen’s has been nothing short of transformative. Back in Pakistan, she dreamed of becoming a doctor, firmly believing that her life’s purpose was to heal and serve. Yet education, especially for women, was viewed secondary to societal expectations. In 2002, she immigrated to the United States, which ended up disrupting what she had once considered well-laid plans.
"Everything I knew was uprooted,” says Roheen. “My career aspirations, my friendships and even my sense of belonging.” The language barrier, cultural differences and the weight of starting over added to her overwhelm. Yet, she refused to give up.
She enrolled in classes at CCBC to seek out new career options. It was during this time of transition that she took her first law class. This course served as more than an anchor; it was a jumping off point for a new, more meaningful life purpose. Learning about law ignited something within her that medicine did not.
I realized that while doctors heal bodies, lawyers heal societies,” says Roheen. “The power of advocacy, the ability to fight for justice and the profound impact of upholding the rights of individuals is the kind of service I’m meant for.
Invigorated by her new purpose, Roheen rededicated herself to academic excellence. She became a legal studies major at CCBC, earned straight-As and was inducted into both Phi Theta Kappa and Lambda Epsilon Chi. Alongside her rigorous studies, she gained real-world experience in trial preparation and case analysis as an intern and paralegal at two law firms. Reaffirming her life’s purpose and dedication to service, Roheen also volunteered at legal aid clinics and offered free notary public services to her community.
Roheen graduates from CCBC in May 2025 as an Honors student with an associate degree in legal studies. Her next move is to transfer to the University of Baltimore to earn a bachelor’s in legal studies and build on her foundation in legal research, advocacy and practical experience before pursuing an advanced law degree.
“With every step I take, I move closer to the day when I can stand in a courtroom and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves,” says Roheen.
Roheen's journey, while challenging, has always been worthwhile. She has proven to herself and others that no obstacle is too great to overcome and no dream is impossible.