Avi Aiken Fernandez is an accomplished attorney and legal professional from the Bronx, New York, deeply committed to fostering environments that prioritize the holistic well-being of students. Recognizing that academic success is intrinsically linked to mental, emotional, and physical health, she is passionate about promoting academic wellness and is excited to bring her skills to the Star Scholars Network. Her legal training has given her the ability to listen, mediate conflict, and advocate for others, all skills vital to promoting academic wellness. Her experience in constitutional law and advocacy equips her to understand and navigate complex institutional policies related to student well-being. Additionally, her experience in criminal prosecution has given her experience in dealing with individuals in crisis, and the ability to find resources to help those individuals.
Avi earned her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where she was a Rubin Public Interest Law Honor Society Fellow and a recipient of the prestigious Conwell Scholarship. She completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College, graduating with honors from the Political Science department. Her early academic achievements include being a Duke TiP Scholar, an AP Scholar, and a Presidential Classroom alum. Her extensive travel and experience living in Japan have fostered a deep understanding of cultural differences and the importance of inclusive support systems, which are essential for promoting academic wellness among diverse student populations. Avi’s multilingual abilities—speaking English, Spanish, and Japanese—enhance her ability to serve diverse communities and navigate cross-cultural environments. These experiences have also given her a very empathetic view of the needs of people from diverse backgrounds and have honed her skills as an active listener.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Avi is an author and has had her reflections on cross-
cultural immersion featured in her first book publication, “Like You,” in Institutional Commitment to Global Engagement: Cross-Cultural Reflections of Faculty, Students, Staff, and Alumnae at Spelman College. Her second book is set to be released later this
year. Outside of her professional work, Avi enjoys spending time with family and loved ones, travelling, and exploring arts and cultural scenes.