Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) are long-standing core values of DePaul College of Law and integral to our social justice mission. These values are reflected in welcoming students from all backgrounds to our community, helping our students realize their full potential, and treating all with dignity and respect. They also are reflected in our efforts that enhance access to legal services and challenge institutions to be fairer and more just.
Our administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni work collaboratively on a variety of initiatives, from programs and student mentoring to partnerships with Chicago organizations equally committed to these same core values.
Notable initiatives for Fall 2022-2023 included:
-
Launching a Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) led by Faculty Director Professor of Law
Manoj Mate and RJI Fellow
Nathan Fleming, with interdisciplinary initiatives tackling racial injustice in policing, housing, economic opportunity, education, health and voting rights
-
Having all 1L students attend a diversity, inclusion and equity professional development program as part of 1L orientation and part of the required Preparing to Practice (P2P) course
-
Expanding a 1L mentoring program for first-generation students, students in affinity groups and undocumented/DACAmented students
-
Requiring incoming students to take a course (from among a range of choices) related to racial/social justice prior to graduation
-
Hosting “Community Conversations” on intersectionality and the impact of public health, mental health and gun violence, and cohosting other DEI-related programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month receptions, a MLK Remembrance Day and the Illinois Latino Law School Association (ILLSA) Forum
-
Providing additional funds for emergency assistance and bar preparation
-
Creating career closet with professional clothing that students can use and keep
-
Continuing partnerships with organizations, including Minority Legal Education Resources (MLER), the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms (LegalTrek), the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) and the Just the Beginning foundation