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Eighth Annual Pathway Summit

February 10–11, 2023

University of Southern California Gould School of Law
699 Exposition Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90089

Pathway Partners Supporting Student Success

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–9:00 a.m.  |  Lobby

Opening Plenary

9:00–9:15 a.m.  |  Plenary Rooms 3 and Overflow Room 7

  • Ruthe Ashley, Advisory Board Chair, California LAW
    Introduction of Nickey Woods
  • Welcome Remarks: Nickey Woods, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
    University of Southern California, Gould School of Law

Keynote Speaker

9:15–9:45 a.m.  |  Plenary Rooms

  • Pamela Enslen, Executive Director, California LAW
    Introduction of Keynote
  • Keynote Speaker: Mary Smith, 2022-2023 President-Elect, American Bar Association

Plenary: Developing Students Along the Pathway and Ensuring Seamless Transitions

10:00–11:35 a.m.  |  Plenary Rooms

“Skills and Traits for Successful Law Students and Lawyers

Speaker: Rodney Fong, Board Member, California LAW, and Associate Dean for Academic Achievement and Bar Preparation, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

“Insights from College Admissions Directors

Moderator: Rodney Fong, Board Member, California LAW, and Associate Dean for Academic Achievement and Bar Preparation, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Speakers: 

  • Brennan Burnett, Associate Director of Evaluation for Undergraduate Admissions, UCLA
  • Deborah Chau, Community College Counselor, Saddleback Community College
  • A.J. Howell-Williams, Director of Transfer, Athletic, and International Admissions, Santa Clara University

“Insights from Law School Admissions Directors

Moderator: Rodney Fong, Advisory Board, California LAW, and Associate Dean for Academic Achievement and Bar Preparation, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Speakers:

  • Justin Cruz, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Diversity Initiatives, Chapman University,
    Fowler School of Law
  • Tracy Simmons, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Diversity Initiatives, University of San Diego School of Law
  • David Kirschner, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law 

“Sharing the Journey — Our Law Pathway Changing Lives”

11:40 a.m.–12:35 p.m.  |  Plenary Rooms

Hear success stories from students at various stages along the diversity pipeline and how the pathway program has positively impacted their educational journey.

Moderator: Linda Kingston, Director for Master Schedule and Instruction, 
Sacramento City Unified School District 

Speakers:

Lunch Break and Participant Networking

12:35–1:15 p.m.

Building Successful Pathway Partner Collaborations

1:15–2:30 p.m.  |  Plenary Rooms

One of the keys to a vibrant pathway program is the partnership and collaboration among the regional high schools, community colleges, colleges and universities, law schools and advisory groups of legal professionals. This session will share what model programs/collaboratives have done and can do to support our students and educators.

Southern California Law School Collaborative (Community Colleges and Law School Partners)

Moderator: Ken Chaiprasert, Coordinator, Pathway to Law School Transfer Program; Associate Professor Political Science, East Los Angeles College 

Speakers:

  • Brenda Cortez-Martin, Associate Director, Admissions, Outreach and Recruitment, USC School of Law
  • Kelly Greer, Director of Admissions, Loyola Law School

Community College Faculty Champion Collaborative 

Moderator: Emily Quinlan, Board Member, California LAW 

Speakers:

  • Kristen Robinson, Chair Pathways to Law, Legal Studies and Faculty Champion, Santa Ana College
  • David Karp, Professor Business Law; Paralegal Studies and Faculty Champion, Chaffey College 
  • Liz Shaker, Counselor, College of the Canyons

Fresno County Regional Pathway Collaborative

Moderator: Logan Tennerelli, Dean of Students, San Joaquin College of Law, and Adjunct Instructor, Fresno City College

Speakers:  

  • Kau Vue, Political Science Instructor, Law Pathway Faculty Champion, Fresno City College

Plenary: What’s New? Community College Partner Expansion And Support, And California Law Strategic Planning

2:30–3:00 p.m.  |  Plenary Rooms

California LAW Pathway Community College Expansion Grant and Expanded Support Along Pathway 

Speakers:  

Highlights from the California LAW Strategic Plan

Speakers:

Closing Remarks and Adjournment

3:00–3:15 p.m.  |  Plenary Rooms

Speaker: Ruthe Ashley, Advisory Board Chair, California LAW
Save the Date for 2024 Summit