Finding her voice: UF student turns first-gen journey into a path to the courtroom
When University of Florida criminology student Sarah Hoffer stands before a panel of judges in a courtroom, she feels entirely at home. But the confidence she projects today is something she had to build through resilience, mentorship and a deep belief in herself.
A first-generation college student, Hoffer transferred from Florida International University to UF in 2023, ready to take advantage of every opportunity.
“I wanted a school with more resources, more ways to get involved and a strong network for pre-law students,” said Hoffer, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in December. “UF had everything I was looking for.”
Hoffer originally majored in political science but soon realized her true interest lay in the courtroom.
“I loved litigation,” she said. “So I decided to go all in and switch to criminology. It just felt right.”
Once on campus, she dove into the university’s thriving mock trial community, joining the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, which offers an in-house mock trial program – a prerequisite for the competitive team. The semester-long experience teaches students the fundamentals of courtroom procedure, from objections to opening statements.
“I loved it right away,” Hoffer said. “You get to learn the rules, the strategy and how to carry yourself in a courtroom. It’s hands-on, it’s intense and it builds this incredible sense of teamwork.”
After impressing her mentors and peers, Hoffer earned a spot on the competitive team. In Fall 2024, she was named Outstanding Attorney in the Phi Alpha Delta national mock trial competition, where UF’s team has an unbroken 14-year winning streak. Hoffer and her 2025 teammates are determined to extend that record to 15 this fall.
For Hoffer, this competitive spirit is matched by her passion for mentorship. Now an associate director of the in-house program, she helps train and inspire the next generation of mock trial participants.
“The only thing I love more than being in mock trial is seeing other students fall in love with it too,” she said. “It’s the best to see them give a great closing argument and realize, ‘I can do this.’”
UF’s mock trial program has built a legacy of excellence, earning national recognition year after year. But for Hoffer, the real reward lies in the teamwork and growth that happens behind the scenes.
“I’ve learned how to stay composed under pressure, how to lead and how to speak with conviction,” she said. “Those lessons go far beyond the courtroom.”
Hoffer takes pride in how far she has come at UF and in the example she sets for others following in her footsteps.
“Being first-gen, I didn’t always understand how important it was to get involved,” she said. “But once I found my community there, everything changed. I realized I wasn’t doing this alone.”
That sense of belonging has shaped not just her college experience, but her confidence in her future.
“Mock trial isn’t just about law,” she said. “It’s about believing in yourself and finding people who believe in you, too.”
With law school on the horizon and an internship at a personal injury law firm in Orlando already under her belt, Hoffer is focused on the future and on giving others the same support she found at UF.
“Even though these are made-up cases, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “One day, I’ll be standing in a real courtroom, defending real people, and I’ll know that UF helped me get there.”