LEAD@RWULaw

Leadership, Equity, Achievement, and Diversity

The mission of the LEAD@RWULaw Pre-Orientation Program is to empower all students, especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), First Generation, and LGBTQ+ students to achieve their full potential through mentoring, learning, and leadership experiences. LEAD's goal is to foster a thriving community of students who are supported and connected through meaningful relationships and opportunities for learning and growth.

Apply Now for LEAD@RWULaw

Application Deadline: July 10, 2023

Space is limited and interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applicants are asked to submit a brief essay on how they hope to benefit from participation in the LEAD@RWULaw Pre-Orientation Program.

What is LEAD?

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Law school will introduce you to a new way of thinking about the world, a new vocabulary, and even a new way of reading and writing. The Academic Excellence and the Diversity & Outreach Programs jointly sponsor the Leadership, Equity, Achievement, and Diversity (LEAD) Pre-Orientation Program at RWU Law to introduce students to the resources available to “learn how to learn” and thrive in law school. In addition to enjoying an introduction to the skills necessary to succeed in law school, the LEAD Pre-Orientation Program will introduce you to RWU Law alumni and upper-level students to serve as mentors in the coming years.

The program value and celebrates each person's unique identify as it strives to promote equity and excellence through the power of teaching and mentoring. The program recognizes that many members of the law school community, especially those that identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) or First-Generation students do not have equitable access to financial resources, housing, healthcare, education, and may experience injustices within the criminal justice system.

These conditions lead to a lack of representation in legal institutions along with inequitable conditions that may serve as barriers to these students realizing their full potential in law school. The LEAD Program consciously cultivates an inclusive and welcoming climate and culture among students, staff, faculty, and administrators and actively affirms and celebrates individual differences.

The program begins the summer before law school with the LEAD Pre-Orientation Program, continues into the first semester with the F1RST@RWU Law Program, Academic Excellence Labs, Career Development Workshops, and other leadership opportunities.