Lisa Ferreira Estuardo Ponciano &

When it comes to the California Western student experience, what are the core components of providing our students with a quality education in addition to academics?

LISA FERREIRA

Students come to law school with an idea, dream, or vision of how they want their professional life to look. One or all of these can change over time through exposure to their coursework, internships, and externships. One of the first ways we support students in their academic journey is to create an environment of belonging and caring. It is also important to provide support and programming that creates opportunities for networking and professional development. One of the other areas includes student leadership and leveraging that experience to help in career opportunities. We have an amazing academic program, and we see our role in student-related offices as supporting students in a variety of ways that go from personal to professional; working through any area that creates a barrier to having a full educational experience.

ESTUARDO PONCIANO

A quality legal education prepares students for every aspect of professional life. Alongside the academic and professional skills they are developing at CWSL, students also must strengthen and acquire the life skills that will allow them to flourish in law school and beyond. This can include all kinds of skills like leadership and networking, effective communication, time management, maintaining work/life balance, and setting boundaries.

Are there any highlights to the student experience you want to share with our alumni?

LISA FERREIRA

Our students are gaining an excellent reputation in the legal community. They are service oriented, culturally competent, and take part in a lot of skills building programs. I would also like to highlight all the work our student organizations have done through panel presentations, involvement with the local bar association affinity groups, and their academic work through the journals and the CAP program. We have a dynamic group of students who will make us proud as alums.

Estuardo Ponciano

As we continue to move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions this brought about, we are excited to welcome students fully back to the law school space and to help foster a stronger sense of community and CWSL identity and culture. Speakers, activities hosted by student organizations, monthly coffees with the Dean, and Barristers Ball are just some of the events happening this trimester. These, along with the myriad co-curricular offerings like Law Review, Trial Advocacy – as well as internships and clinics – offer a robust schedule that allows students to fully immerse themselves in the CWSL culture of learning and service.

What would you say is one of the most exciting or rewarding aspects of working with/alongside our student body?

LISA

Ferreira

For me, I am excited to see the professional and personal growth that students make every day. When I go to student organization meetings and see them conduct meetings, panel discussions, and interacting with the judiciary, or local attorneys, I can see their future. Law school is challenging, and these have not been easy times. Seeing students overcome adversity and working to make society a better, more inclusive place makes what I do worthwhile.

Estuardo Ponciano

One of the most rewarding aspects of working with our student body is to meet students early in their careers and to witness the growth and development that takes place over their time in law school. It is inspiring to get to know our students’ stories and the resiliency that they bring to CWSL. It is even more exciting to know that they will leave CWSL equipped with the attributes and talents they brought with them to law school coupled with the skills and knowledge they have developed here, and the impact they will have on our profession.

Lisa Ferreira

What are some of the processes/procedures for providing quality development for all Cal Westerners?

Professional development is a key component of all departments at the law school. In the Student & Diversity Services Office we see that through counseling and programming that teaches students about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We start at orientation with training for all incoming students to reflect on the community they are entering and the expectations we have for students. We continue programs throughout the student’s time with us. In the Career and Professional Development Office, it is important that students begin to engage with our office early on in their law school career. Through one-on-one meetings, career advice, mock interviews, and preparation for internships or externships, this office assists in all aspects of what becomes a student’s professional identity and reputation building.

With a diverse student body, what are some challenges to providing resources for students of all backgrounds and experiences, such as our First-Generation students?

We are working to develop more programming for First-Generation students. As a First-Gen student and a first-generation American myself, I know that navigating through systems can be confusing. In addition, each student’s experience can be unique and that makes it challenging to ensure that you are capturing and providing programming that works for everyone. Wellness has been something that we are really working on, especially through a multicultural lens. We do that with the idea of ensuring that all students feel welcome despite their beliefs or backgrounds.

Estuardo Ponciano

What are some challenges to working directly with student organizations and representing their goals and aspirations?

It truly is a pleasure to work with our student organizations. The student leaders are committed to serving their members and to contributing to the law school community. If I had to name a challenge, it would be resource allocation amongst all the organizations. How do we best serve all our students’ needs under the budgetary constraints law schools face? Notwithstanding these challenges, Student and Diversity Services maintains a close working relationship with the Student Bar Association (SBA) to ensure the voices of all students are heard and represented.

How do we support the growth and success of each student once they arrive on campus?

Communication is key, as is being receptive to feedback. My office is always open. What services and opportunities can we offer to help students in their development? We constantly examine and reassess the services, events, speakers, workshops, and organizations available to students at the law school to ensure these are relevant to their current needs. We can’t be afraid to ask ourselves, are we considering the experiences (both in and outside of the classroom) of first-generation or minoritized students, or students with disabilities or with neuro divergencies? By listening to students and meeting them where they are, we can nurture a sense of belonging and ownership of their law school. In so doing, we will foster a diverse, engaged community of students and future CWSL alumni.