Class of 2026: MLS Grads and Married Couple Mireya Arroyo and Luis Acosta Reflect on Shared Journey
“We were both inspired to pursue the MLS degree because of our shared interest in understanding how law and public policy impact the communities we serve.”
When Mireya Arroyo and Luis Acosta decided to pursue their Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degrees at the University of Arizona, they brought more than ambition to the program — they brought each other.
The married couple, both deeply rooted in public service, will cross the graduation stage together this spring, completing a degree that they say has strengthened their ability to approach their work with greater depth, responsibility and purpose.
Arroyo, born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, serves as a Justice of the Peace for the Moon Valley Justice Court, while Acosta, born in Durango, Mexico, works as a lobbyist in Arizona.
“We were both inspired to pursue the MLS degree because of our shared interest in understanding how law and public policy impact the communities we serve,” says Arroyo. “We see firsthand how decisions that affect people’s lives are shaped. We wanted to better understand those systems and be more prepared when making decisions in our respective roles.”
They chose the MLS program as it not only aligned with where they are in their careers but allowed them the opportunity to continue working while pursuing a degree that was directly relevant to what they do.
“It felt like a program built for people who are already involved in their communities and want to strengthen their understanding of the law in a practical way,” says Arroyo. “The program provided us with a stronger understanding of how legal systems and policy decisions operate in practice. It strengthened our ability to analyze issues more thoroughly and approach complex matters with greater clarity. It also reinforced the way we evaluate decisions within our respective roles, allowing us to be more intentional and informed in the work we do.”
The first-generation soon-to-be MLS grads say this experience has also meant a lot on a personal level and reinforced the importance of continuing to grow while balancing their lives.
“Experiencing this program as a married couple has been especially meaningful, as we have supported one another while balancing professional responsibilities, family life and academic growth,” says Arroyo.
For students just starting the program, Arroyo and Acosta have straight forward advice: stay organized, don’t hesitate to ask your professors for help, and try to connect what you are learning to your real-life experiences.
“That is when everything starts to make more sense and becomes more useful,” adds Arroyo.
As they look ahead to graduation and beyond, Arroyo plans to continue her work on the bench with a renewed focus on fairness and access to justice, while Acosta will continue lobbying, centering his efforts on policy issues affecting diverse communities.
“Whether through legislative work or in the courtroom, our goal is to contribute to systems that are more fair, more accessible, and easier for people to understand,” says Arroyo.