Law School Academic Support Blog

Asst. Director of Academic Success--Vermont Law School

Assistant Director of Academic Success

Vermont Law School, a private, independent law school on the beautiful White River in rural Vermont, seeks an Assistant Director of Academic Support to be responsible for assisting the Director in administering programs aimed at improving students’ academic skills and ensuring success on the bar examination.

Responsibilities include: 1) Coordinating and designing workshops or classes to ensure students possess academic skills necessary for the passage of the Multistate Bar Examination, the Multistate Performance Test and the state essay section of the bar examination; 2) Designing programs to improve skills relating to bar passage; 3) Counseling students regarding options for bar study; 4) Monitoring bar passage rates; 5) Assisting the Director in designing and developing Academic Support Programs for upper-level students; 6) Maintaining a website devoted to bar preparation; 7) Assisting students with disabilities with the use of assistive technology.

Applicants must: have a JD or be a licensed attorney, possess a strong academic background and excellent writing, speaking and organization skills as well as a commitment to academic support. Prior academic support experience (either professional or as part of a graduate or law school program) or teaching experience (i.e., legal writing or comparable teaching experience in writing and analytical skills training) is preferred. Evening and some weekend work is required.

To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, a writing sample (five pages or less), and three references with contact information to:

Human Resources,
Vermont Law School
PO Box 96,
South Royalton, VT 05068

or to [email protected].

 Vermont Law School is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Middle-career ASPer's

While my introduction covers all of the perfunctory academic notes, it does not reveal why I would tackle writing for the ASP Law Blog. When Dan Weddle asked me in join in September, I jumped at the chance to give back to the ASP community that has given me so much in the past three years.
However, I was working at both ASU Law and VLS at the time, and I could only commit after January 2008, when I would (just) be at VLS full-time.

I like to think of myself as a relative newbie to Academic Support, but that really isn’t true anymore.  As the list of new positions demonstrates, ASP is growing by leaps and bounds.  I am delighted to meet new faces at every LSAC, AALS, or NCBEX conference.  With almost three years under my belt, I am no longer the new kid on the block, but I am certainly not one of the greats that “was there in 1992” when ASP was officially sanctioned.  When I talk to the *new* newbies, I relize how much I have grown as an Academic Success professional over the past three years.  But when I sit down with any one of the *greats* of ASP, I am awed by how much I still have to learn.  Even more amazing to me is how much the *greats* feel they still have to learn, some with ten or twenty years in ASP.

It’s this spirit of learning and collaboration that makes ASP the best area to work in the legal academy, in my humble opinion. 
I jumped at the chance to join the blog so I can give back some of the modest wisdom I have gained in the past three years. Everyday I still feel like I am in the middle of a vast learning curve, especially after grades come out.  Then I remember what it was like during the fall of 2005, when I was giving advice on IRAC to 1L’s with the ink barely dry on my J.D. 

This is my welcome to all the new folks joining our ranks; I was there not too long ago, and I am happy to help whenever you need it. Just don’t balk if I call myself a newbie as well; I am on the learning curve with you!
This is also my immense, heart-felt thank you to everyone who has given me much-needed advice, wisdom, and pep talks when I felt like I was in over my head.

Rebecca Flanagan

Welcome a New Co-Editor: Rebecca Flanagan

After two and a half years as co-editor of the ASP Blog, I think it is time for me to step aside and bring in a fresh voice, so I want to introduce our newest addition to the blog:  Professor Rebecca Flanagan.  As I take on the role of contributing editor, Rebecca will become one of the blog's co-editors.  I think you will find her postings stimulating, timely, and insightful.

Rebecca is the Director of the Academic Success Program at Vermont Law School and an Assistant Professor of Law. She took over the ASP department at VLS from Ellen Swain in December 2007. Before joining VLS, Rebecca was the Director of Academic Support at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, and the Assistant Director of the Institute for Student and Graduate Success at Whittier Law School.

Rebecca came to ASP directly from law school, where she had the incredible luck to work for the (amazing) Ruth McKinney at UNC Law.  While at UNC, she was a teaching assistant in the LEAP program. Before law school, she taught K-3 art, music, and theatre integration in Willington, CT, at Center Elementary School and Geopolitics to talented and gifted high school students with Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. 

Rebecca's interests are in educational psychology, focusing on the learning environment and legal education. Her first article, "Lucifer in Law School," will be published in the upcoming Washburn Law Review Symposium of Humanizing Legal Education Conference.

She received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut, her M.A. from Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut, and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Welcome to the blog, Rebecca!

Dan Weddle

New England Schoool of Law is seeking....

Assistant/ Associate Director of Academic Support

New England School of Law, in Boston, Massachusetts, is expanding its Academic Support Program and seeks to appoint an Assistant/ Associate Director with the rank of Academic Support Professor. The successful candidate will assist in all aspects of the Academic Support Program, helping students to hone their legal skills to enhance their performance in law school, the Bar Exam, and in practice.

 The Assistant/ Associate Director will teach in the Program’s first-year “Academic Excellence” class, which focuses upon developing law school skills, enriching analytical abilities, and creating a supportive learning environment. The Assistant/ Associate Director will also teach in NESL’s innovative “Legal Analysis” class, developed to benefit underperforming second-year students. This class is coupled with a mandatory doctrinal course and provides students with extensive opportunities to practice the skills needed for success on exams. Finally, the Assistant/ Associate Director will also counsel students on study skills, analysis, time-management, bar preparation, and balance.

 The Academic Support Program enjoys strong support from the law school’s students, faculty, and administration. The Program seeks candidates interested in contributing to the development of a program committed to enhancing students’ law school experience. Candidates must possess a J.D., a strong academic record, solid legal writing skills, and experience demonstrating interest and potential in academic support. Prior successful teaching experience, particularly in academic support or a related field, is particularly desirable. Practice experience is also advantageous.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Compensation also includes an excellent benefits package. The successful candidate will enjoy the same rights as those of any other faculty member: eligibility for substantial scholarship stipends (although scholarship is not a requirement of the position); eligibility to teach doctrinal classes; eligibility to teach in the law school’s study abroad program; membership on faculty committees; and voting on all matters other than tenure.

NESL encourages applications from candidates whose background would contribute to the law school’s commitment to diversity. NESL is an Equal Opportunity employer. 

Send resume and writing sample, by February 15, 2008, to:

Louis N. Schulze, Jr.
Assistant Professor of Law, and
Director of Academic Support
New England School of Law
154 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116

Or by email at: [email protected]

AALS Academic Support Section Business Meeting Minutes

For those unable to attend this year's business meeting for the AALS Section on Academic Support, we have posted below the minutes of the meeting.

Academic Support Section

Minutes – Business Meeting – January 3, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Section Chair Nancy Soonpaa at 6:35 P.M..

1) Election of Officers

The slate of officers and board members was presented by Linda Feldman on behalf of the Nominating Committee.  The slate was as follows:

Officers:

Chairperson-Elect: Pavel Wonsowicz (UNLV)

Secretary: Ellen Suni (UMKC)

Treasurer: Kristin Holmquist (UCLA)

All officers serve one (1) year terms.                  

Members of the Executive Committee:

Board C (Term Expires 2010):  Jeff Minetti (Stetson)

Board D (Term Expires 2010):  Vinita Bali (Santa Clara)

There were no nominations from the floor and the slate passed by voice vote.

2) Program Committee

Robin Boyle announced the Program for the Section and indicated that we need members for the Program Committee.  Robin was thanked for her work.

3) Proposal for Creation of Bar Pass Committee

Robert Coulthardt suggested that the Section create a Bar Pass Committee. Concerns were expressed that Academic Support should not be viewed as responsible for bar pass; that is the responsibility of the Law School as a whole.  After much discussion of that and other issues, it was proposed that the Bar Pass Committee be created to a) serve as a liaison for the Section with schools, the ABA and others interested in and knowledgeable about bar support, b) keep track of rule changes and notify Section members of relevant proposals, and c) perhaps eventually assist in the development of best practices for law schools regarding bar pass support.  By voice vote, the Committee was created with the charge stated above.

4) Website

Pavel Wonsowicz reported that he had had discussions with Barbara Glesner Fines regarding her website, which she does individually and not as a formal part of the Section.  Pavel indicated that Barb is willing to allow the Section to take over ownership and upkeep of the site.  He proposed creation of a website committee.  After much discussion of the website and related issues (both during this portion and later in the meeting), it was agreed that we needed a broader committee to address information and communication issues that might also include the blog, wiki and listserv.  By consensus, it was agreed to create an Information and Communications Committee to address these issues.

5) Achievement Award

A draft of the proposed award was distributed.  There was much discussion regarding the effect the award might have on collegiality within the Section, which is one of its most important assets.  Discussion ensued regarding whether this is really a “lifetime achievement award” or could be an award for a significant accomplishment by an individual or group.  After a full airing of the issues, it was decided by consensus that an Award Committee will be created to revise the proposed award to meet the particular academic support community concerns and make sure a new proposal also is acceptable to the AALS.  The revised award can then be considered for adoption at next year’s meeting.

6) Nominating Committee

There was discussion regarding whether the nominating committee needed to have different membership, since it had not changed in some time.  It was agreed that we should add new members but also retain continuity.  A call to the membership for nominations to the Nominating Committee will go out from the Chair.  I was also suggested and agreed that opportunities for service on other committees will also be included in the notice to the membership.  Anyone interested in serving on a committee who has not already indicated a desire to do so should let in-coming Chair Kris Franklin know.

7) Announcements

Linda Feldman announced that reservations had been made for dinner on Thursday and lunch on Friday for anyone who wanted to attend.  Sign-up sheets were circulated.

8) Sourcebook and Directory

Questions were raised regarding the status of these projects.  Members feel a need both for an updated sourcebook that will include best practices and models for different type programs as well as for detailed and current information on who is working in academic support, including their position titles, roles and responsibilities, status and salary.  It was reported that LSAC was working on these projects.  The status of the sourcebook is unknown, but Pavel reported that a new committee for data collection (directory) had just been created.

Discussion of these issues led to discussion of LSAC’s role in academic support.  Members of the Section were extremely thankful to Kent Lollis and LSAC for their support of academic support, including the surveys, materials and conferences.  That being the case, however, it was noted that getting this material together is really the responsibility of the community.  But it was then noted that there is really no one body that is able to do the heavy lifting, since the Section has a greater role in outreach to the faculty generally and has limited resources.  We have no body similar to the LWI or ALWD, and this may be a problem.  Although no consensus was reached on this issue, it is clear that it needs further discussion in the future.

It was suggested that Pavel work with LSAC to see if the information Section members feel they need can be incorporated into the survey, and it was suggested that a lot of input is needed to make sure the survey will accurately collect usable data.

9) Regionals

A question was raised regarding the Regionals, when they might be and how one gets involved.  It was reported that the Chairs have not yet been designated.  It was also noted that the process for getting involved is a fairly open one.  The first step is to let Kent Lollis know of your interest.  In the past, there have been open calls for proposals to host the regionals, and the chairs are usually people who have hosted or been involved in running the workshops in the past.

As the conclusion of the meeting neared, there was strong sentiment expressed that the meeting had been very productive, and Nancy was thanked for her good work in setting up and running the business meeting.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Y. Suni

Secretary

Asst/Assoc Director Academic Support Position at New England

New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts is expanding its Academic Support Program and seeks to appoint an Assistant/ Associate Director with the rank of Academic Support Professor.  The successful candidate will assist in all aspects of the Academic Support Program, helping students to hone their legal skills to enhance their performance in law school, the Bar Exam, and in practice.

The Assistant/ Associate Director will teach in the Program’s first-year “Academic Excellence” class, which focuses upon developing law school skills, enriching analytical abilities, and creating a supportive learning environment.  The Assistant/ Associate Director will also teach in NESL’s innovative “Legal Analysis” class, developed to benefit underperforming second-year students.  This class is coupled with a mandatory doctrinal course and provides students with extensive opportunities to practice the skills needed for success on exams.  Finally, the Assistant/ Associate Director will also counsel students on study skills, analysis, time-management, bar preparation, and balance.

The Academic Support Program enjoys strong support from the law school’s students, faculty, and administration.  The Program seeks candidates interested in contributing to the development of a program committed to enhancing students’ law school experience.  Candidates must possess a J.D., a strong academic record, solid legal writing skills, and experience demonstrating interest and potential in academic support.  Prior successful teaching experience, particularly in academic support or a related field, is particularly desirable.  Practice experience is also advantageous.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.  Compensation also includes an excellent benefits package.  The successful candidate will enjoy the same rights as those of any other faculty member:  eligibility for substantial scholarship stipends (although scholarship is not a requirement of the position); eligibility to teach doctrinal classes; eligibility to teach in the law school’s study abroad program; membership on faculty committees; and voting on all matters other than tenure.

NESL encourages applications from candidates whose background would contribute to the law school’s commitment to diversity.  NESL is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Send resume and writing sample, by February 15, 2008, to Louis N. Schulze, Jr., Assistant Professor of Law and Director of Academic Support, New England School of Law, 154 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116.

Bar Passage Counselor Position at Charlotte Law

Bar Passage Counselor

CharlotteLaw is the first law school in North Carolina's most populous city located in one of the fastest growing regions in the country on the border with South Carolina. Charlotte is a dynamic, rapidly growing, international city which offers a rich array of family, educational, sports/recreational, cultural, and other opportunities. We are currently seeking dynamic, creative, team oriented and student-centered individuals to join our fast growing Team.

The school is a member of The InfiLaw System, a consortium of independent law schools committed to making legal education more responsive to the realities of new career dynamics. Its mission is to establish student-centered, American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools in underserved markets that graduate students with practice-ready skills, and achieve true diversity programs aimed at student academic and career success.

The Bar Passage Counselor will develop and implement a support program designed to improve skills relating to bar passage; will counsel students regarding options for bar study and will monitor bar passage rates. The Bar Passage Counselor will have principle responsibility of developing bar passage workshops and a bar passage course.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Teach a North Carolina Bar studies course, incorporating South Carolina bar studies to extent appropriate. • Review and provide feedback to students regarding the bar exam.
• Create and maintain statistical information on each examinee, including UGPA, LGPA, LSAT, and other predictors use to forecast probability of bar passage.
• Prepare and present various Bar Prep Workshops.
• Arrange for speakers to present at the school’s bar prep workshop series.
• Attend each North Carolina Bar Exam administration and South Carolina bar exam administrations to extent appropriate.
• Prepare and oversee the Bar Prep budget.
• Performs other academic support functions essential to promoting students’ success in law school and to the success and growth of the institution.
• Teaches other related courses as assigned by the Associate Dean.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an approve ABA accredited law school.
• Successful passage of the North Carolina Bar Exam required; passage also of the South Carolina Bar Exam a plus, but not required.
• Must be highly motivated and possess personal initiative and drive.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required due to high level of interaction with students, employers and other professionals
• A strong commitment to CharlotteLaw’s mission pillars of student centeredness, practice ready and serving the underserved.
• Bar related experience preferred.
• Post-secondary teaching experience preferred.

This position is a full-time academic staff position. The Counselor will report to the Associate Dean for Students. CharlotteLaw offers a professional and pleasant work environment for all employees in addition to offering a competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Please visit www.charlottelaw.org to learn more about our institution.

To apply for this opportunity, please send a letter of interest, a resume, the names of three current professional references (including addresses and phone numbers) to [email protected] or via mail to: Charlotte School of Law, Human Resources, 1211 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204

CharlotteLaw is an equal employment opportunity employer. Inquiries welcome from qualified candidates.