Staff Spotlight: Tabitha Canalda Associate Director of Admissions and Outreach

Spotlight on: TABITHA CANALDA Associate Director of Admissions and Outreach

Tabitha (Tabbie) Canalda was born in New York City and raised in Southwest Florida. She is a bilingual first generation American with Argentine roots. Tabitha received her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, Florida. She enrolled at Ave Maria Law in the Fall of 2014 and graduated in 2017. “... don’t feel like you are alone in this journey. Yes, it is a lot of work. Yes, it will be difficult. But you absolutely can do it. And you’ll be prouder than ever when you cross that stage.”

Tabbie, thank you for taking the time for this interview. How would you describe your experience being a part of the Ave Maria Law community? Thank you, Kristy. It’s a pleasure to be featured in the Advocate. I would say my experience at Ave Maria Law is unique in the sense that I have been a part of both sides of the school. I’ve been a law student and now I am on the other side – Admissions. I knew going into law school that I wanted the education, but I didn’t necessarily have the inclination to practice. In my 2L year I was hired as a work-study student by the Admissions Office and I loved it. I loved working with prospective students and helping them navigate the admissions process. I found my niche and after graduation I applied to be the Associate Director of Admissions. The rest is history. I have been in my position for three years now and continue to love it. Working at your alma mater instills a sense of pride into your work. I want to do my part to ensure students have a great experience at Ave Maria Law. There is always room for growth and improvement, and I love being a part of that here at Ave Maria Law.

You attended Ave Maria Law and graduated in 2017. Since then, you have been working for the law school in the Admissions office and you are an integral part of the team’s success. You have first-hand knowledge and experience to share with students interested in attending Ave Maria Law. What are some examples of insights you provide to students considering law school? This is a question we frequently receive in our department. Law school is an intimidating new chapter. It will challenge your ego and it will force you to grow. Go into it with humility and understand that everyone in your class feels the same way you do – lost. That’s normal! Put in the work and don’t take short cuts, you will only cheat yourself if you do. Stay disciplined and on top of your reading because it can accumulate quickly. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out for help. Back in the day there used to be a sort of stigma against asking for help or guidance. It’s 2020 and people are more aware than ever about mental health and stress. Your professors are one of your best resources. Meet with them if there is a concept you are struggling with. They care about your success and want you to do well. We also have the Academic Success department which is made up of an excellent team that will help you with anything from putting together a study schedule to teaching you how to outline for classes. Moral of the story is don’t feel like you are alone in this journey. Yes, it is a lot of work. Yes, it will be difficult. But you absolutely can do it. And you’ll be prouder than ever when you cross that stage. How would you describe a day’s work in your role on the Admissions team? I hate to say it but my answer to this is it depends. Two words law students are very familiar with! The Admissions process is cyclical. Depending on which time of year it is, you will find me traveling the country to attend law fairs and meeting prospective students or hosting open houses with my team and conducting interviews. We wrapped up orientation for our 2023 class and it was the first time we’ve ever hosted an orientation virtually.

This season looks a little different for you and your team with many virtual elements being implemented into your programming. Have you viewed this as a benefit? What are some of the initiatives you have considered a success? It has been different, but these are the situations I thrive in. I love challenges and thinking out of the box. Our new reality has allowed us to be creative and adjust the ways we provide information and host events. We have hosted a variety of live events such as virtual Open Houses, Q & A’s with the Deans, Office Hours with Admissions, and more. I have also enjoyed recording Mock Classes and videos with our Admissions Ambassadors on “Life in Naples”, “How to Succeed in Law School”, and more. The increase in our virtual content has been a benefit, especially for the students that traditionally would’ve been unable to attend any of our in-person events. I see us continuing a lot of it and even expanding well after COVID.

For visitors planning a trip to Naples, what are some of the mustdo’s they should add to their list? Naples is a very laid back and affluent city with amazing dining and beaches. Being the gourmand that I am, I immediately urge you to try some of our great restaurants. We have great seafood options like The Claw Bar and USS Nemo (get the miso seabass, you won’t regret it). For sightseeing, downtown is a must. It’s a great place to grab a bite, walk to the beach and watch one of our famous paradise coast sunsets. Not a bad place to go to school.

What is your favorite quote and why? One of my favorite quotes is more of a prayer. “Lord, give me eyes to always see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith.” You need to stay positive and faithful in today’s world and you can’t do it without God.