Meet the 2025–2026 leaders of the Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA) at Western State! MELSA is a student organization committed to celebrating the cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity of Middle Eastern and adjacent communities represented within our law school. Through heritage month programs, educational panels, and networking opportunitiesr, MELSA fosters dialogue, understanding, and connection across cultures. While grounded in uplifting these communities, MELSA welcomes all Western State students who are interested in learning, engaging, and helping build a more inclusive and informed legal community.
Meet the Executive Board
Noelle Nourafshan, 2L
President
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Personal Injury.
Role Models:
My role models are the women I’ve seen balance demanding careers with family life. They’ve shown me that it’s possible to be dedicated to your work while still making time for the people you love.
Future Goals:
My goal is to build a successful career as an attorney while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I know this can be challenging in such a demanding field, but I’m inspired by the many women in law who have shown that it’s possible to prioritize both their careers and their families, and I aspire to do the same.
Hobbies:
In my free time, I enjoy working out and spending time with my friends and family. It helps me recharge and keep a healthy balance outside of school.
Fun Fact:
Before law school, I gained a lot of work experience with children, specifically tutoring and mentoring. It taught me so much about patience, compassion, and finding creative ways to connect and communicate.
Advice for new students:
Everyone talks about outlining and preparing for exams, and it can seem like there’s a strict formula to follow, which might feel a little overwhelming at first. But you’ll find what works best for you as long as you stay positive, try your best, and put in the effort. Go to office hours, meet with dean’s fellows, and use the many resources available to you. Law school is challenging, but you’re not alone, and with time and support, you’ll do great.
Haneen Afani, 2L
Vice President
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Business litigation.
Role Models:
My parents who continuously encourage me to always have strength to speak out for what is right.
Future Goals:
My long term goal is to become an established attorney where I can use my skills I’ve acquired through law school and beyond to help others and advocate for their cause. I also hope to help other first generation students to give back to my community as so many mentors have helped me get where I am today.
Hobbies:
Cooking, hiking, jigsaw puzzles, and tatreez.
Fun Fact:
I speak 4 languages (English, Arabic, French, and Spanish)!
Advice for new students:
Get hands on experience when you’re in law school! You become a more competitive applicant wherever you apply and you’re able to discover what you are truly passionate about. This allows you to hone in on the skills you want to develop for your future legal career while still in law school. It also gives a great sense of purpose and motivation for the long hours of studies!
Atena Javaheri Majd, 2L
Secretary
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Maybe family law.
Role Models:
My role model is my best friend and older sister, Atousa. Watching her stay committed to her goals while balancing school and family life showed me what real discipline looks like. Her work ethic and determination have had a huge influence on how I carry myself and the standards I set for my future. She is my north star, offering an example of the kind of focus and consistency I strive for.
Future Goals:
My goal is to become an attorney who helps people feel empowered instead of overwhelmed by the legal system. I want a career that pushes me to grow, lets me give back in meaningful ways, and allows me to make a real difference by helping bring justice through the work I do.
Hobbies:
I like reading, staying active, and making time to recharge.
Fun Fact:
I speak Farsi fluently and was really into fitness and weight training before starting law school.
Advice for new students:
Starting law school can feel intimidating, but never forget that you are capable of so much more than you think. The effort you put in today is quietly building the future you want, even on days when progress feels slow or unnoticeable. Keep showing up for yourself, especially when it feels hard. The habits you create now, staying consistent, pushing through hard days, and believing in yourself, will carry you further than perfection ever could. Take advantage of office hours, practice writing essays, and most importantly, take care of your physical and mental health along the way.
Kaya Albrigo Djamoussian, 1L
Treasurer
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Business Law.
Role Models:
My parents and grandparents are my role models.
Future Goals:
Become an attorney and support my family.
Hobbies:
Reading, playing with my cats and dog, swimming, and traveling.
Fun Fact:
My middle name is Sugar!
Advice for new students:
Stay in tune with yourself and find time to decompress. Don’t get intimidated by the workload, keep yourself paced and remember that you can do it!
Alina Gabrielle Padilla, 2L
Social Media Manager
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Criminal law and entertainment law.
Future Goals:
To become a criminal prosecutor.
Hobbies:
Playing video games.
Fun Fact:
I have loved dance and art ever since I was a child.
Advice for new students:
To trust in yourself and your ability to succeed, to not fear making mistakes, and to welcome help and support from professors, friends, and anyone who can offer it.
Mohammad Qayum, 1L
Event Coordinator
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Business, Criminal, Entertainment, International.
Role Models:
My mom, a very generous and strong woman, who thought me everything I know about giving up for the greater good. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the central figure in Islam, a man who’s lessons have passed down centuries, who delivered a message of how to navigate life, find contentment, and give whatever we can in charity (even if it is half a date).
Future Goals:
Become a lawyer and use the skills I pick up to better society. I know and fully understand that one man cannot save the world and problems will always exist. However, I believe in the principle of the greater good, and I believe strongly that if we make a genuine effort to sacrifice for the greater good, then slowly but surely the things within our immediate control will improve and be better.
Hobbies:
Soccer, Hiking, Coffee shop hunting.
Fun Fact:
I am a business owner, I have had 2 businesses in the last 5 years, one remains active!
Advice for new students:
I can give advice to those considering law school, just figure out why you want to do it and if the reason is something that drives you to be disciplined, then just do it, but be ready for a real life change.
Melina Khadivi, 2L
Event Coordinator
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Personal Injury.
Role Models:
Renee Lloyd, my former boss at Lloyds Law Firm, is my greatest role model and a major influence on my career goals. During my time working under her leadership, I witnessed firsthand what it means to be a dedicated and compassionate attorney.
Future Goals:
My future goal is to open my own Personal Injury Law Office, where I can provide client-focused representation to individuals who have been wrongfully injured. I aspire to build a practice that not only delivers strong legal advocacy but also prioritizes integrity, transparency, and personalized service.
Hobbies:
In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, spending time shopping, and relaxing while watching Netflix. These activities help me unwind and recharge, allowing me to maintain a healthy balance between my personal life and professional goals.
Fun Fact:
A fun fact about me is that I was born in Miami! I think being from such a lively city helped shape my energetic personality and love for meeting new people.
Advice for new students:
Western State College of Law is an amazing institution that prioritizes the success of its students. One of the things I appreciate most is the strong sense of community and the support we receive from both the staff and faculty. The professors are deeply invested in our growth and are always willing to offer guidance.