Bernadette Perez holds a bachelor of arts in communications in Communication with a minor in women’s and gender studies from Texas A&M University in College Station. During her time at Texas A&M, Bernadette interned with the Surrogate Program for the Bill White for Texas Campaign in Houston. She is currently the assistant executive director for the Hidalgo County Bar Association (HCBA) and the Hidalgo County Bar Foundation (HCBF). These organizations are a branch of the State Bar of Texas. Bernadette organizes continuing legal education seminars that provide the hours that are needed to stay licensed in the State of Texas. The HCBF also provides public service programs that Bernadette assists with such as Wills for Veterans and the Law Day Contest Scholarships. Her current position has triggered her interest in legal and immigration policy. Bernadette is currently a graduate student at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley pursuing a public affairs degree.