AccessLex Spring Sync Workshop

A brief good morning and welcome as we make introductions, outline the day, set goals and expectations, check technology and get that coffee brewing.

While issues other than higher education have dominated Washington over the last several years, there are still opportunities to make changes to higher education policy even without a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Hear about what Congress and the Biden Administration are focused on, what might happen with issues impacting graduate students and borrowers in the coming years, and how shifts in political power may change the conversation.

Any major investment decision should be informed by reliable data, and law school is no different. During this session, we will explore pre-law tools and resources that can help you and your students navigate the breadth and depth of law school data. We will also discuss what data is available, and what is not, to help you and your students advocate for better information to inform if and where they apply to law school.

Many law school professionals find themselves facing down the “opportunity” to engage in a program assessment. Whether triggered by a desire to evaluate the impact of existing, new or competing interventions – or simply because your Dean has asked you to – it’s always sound to assess whether a program is doing what you think it’s doing. But how do you even begin? This panel presentation will focus on the beginning. Hear from colleagues who have recently engaged in the assessment of an Academic or Bar Success intervention. As they recount their assessment endeavor, panelists will stop to note the three distinct stages of beginning their work: 1) deciding to start, 2) assembling a team and gathering resources, and 3) launching the assessment. Come hear what these peers have been assessing, as they answer the question: “how did you even begin?”

The cost of gas isn’t the only item we continue to see on the rise. Each year the cost of attending law school ticks a little higher. When undertaking a big financial commitment like attending law school, it’s important for applicants to feel like they have the assistance they need to get the best return on their investment. In this session, we’ll equip you with information that can help you work with your applicants in calculating their law school ROI. 

The forced, abrupt shift to online learning during the pandemic challenged law schools and students alike. AccessLex Institute and the Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) each conducted studies to examine the impact of this sudden shift. LSSSE examined how the pandemic affected students’ well-being as well as their learning experiences. And AccessLex partnered with Gallup, Inc. to survey law students on their perceptions of online learning during the pandemic. Join us as we discuss key findings from these studies and how they might inform efforts to enhance online learning in law school, both now and beyond.

Do you aspire to begin or expand a pipeline program but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help! Come hear from current Pipeline Administrators as they help you conceptualize and ultimately make the case for a pipeline program at your institution. We know there are real leaks in the pipeline for applicants, and your pipeline dream can be just what’s needed to change the present reality.

Professional development and overall well-being have emerged as two crucial areas where law schools are stepping in to support students. Many schools have launched week-long wellness programs and professional development curriculums aimed at providing well-rounded, balanced resources to help students succeed outside of (and in support of) the rigorous academic workload. In this session, you’ll hear from colleagues who have successfully integrated financial education into these types of programs and leave with great ideas so that you can do the same!

You may have recently noticed the DEI acronym has gained a new letter – B for Belonging. While seeing the new letter at the end of DEI may be new to some, the idea is not. Belonging is so much more than a new buzzword. Join us for this session as we unpack the importance of Belonging to creating and maintaining an environment of true inclusivity in educational spaces.