PROGRAMS Three university educational programs with significant community engagement orientation are located within the Office of Community Partnerships, including Legal Pathways, the Tacoma Whole Child Initiative (a partnership with Tacoma Public School District), and the Action Mapping Project.
THREE UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS WITH SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ORIENTATION ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
LEGAL PATHWAYS
In addition to on-campus program offerings,
Legal Pathways at UW Tacoma works collaboratively
Legal Pathways launched the Legal Pathways/
to generate equitable access to legal careers through
Pierce County Minority Bar Association Mentorship
pathways that connect students, faculty, staff, and
Program, matching current UW Tacoma students
other community members. We adopt a broad
with practicing attorneys and other legal
understanding of legal careers, grounded in social
professionals in the South Sound. Over 20 students
justice and a commitment to fostering student
and mentors were matched in the first year and we
empowerment.
look forward to an ongoing partnership for next
In the 2020-2021 academic year, Legal Pathways grew its existing programming, launched several new
year’s program. Most of our mentors are from underrepresented groups.
programs, and expanded its reach with students and
Recognizing the significant need for additional LSAT
alumni.
preparation and support, Legal Pathways launched
For students considering law school, Legal Pathways grew its “Exploring the Law” series for offering over 25 different workshops and panel events through the course of the year. The workshops were well attended by both students and alumni, with many law school applicants citing them as a source of support and information during the application process. Additionally, the program partnered with faculty and community leaders for the “Exploring the Issues” speaker series, hosting recent McArthur Fellow Lisa Daugaard; the protagonists of the award-winning
the Legal Pathways Fellows Summer Cohort in the 2021 academic year. The program will support up to twelve UW Tacoma students and alumni intending to apply to law school for the fall of 2022. The Fellows programs will provide students with access to a commercial LSAT preparation course, an application success mentor, a series of application workshops, and ongoing support through the law school application process. Legal Pathways intends for the Fellows program to run annually, with the next cohort launching in summer of 2022.
documentary “Belly of the Beast” Cynthia Chandler
Along with the Office of Advising and Career Services,
and Kelli Dillon; and academic, author, and activist
Legal Pathways offered supplemental support to
Dean Spade, among others.
students preparing to apply for law school through advising on course selection; reviewing and providing feedback on resumes, cover letters, and personal statements; and meeting with students to discuss their career goals. The program saw a significant increase in the number of students and alumni seeking assistance in personal statement review and career counseling.
Patricia Sully, J.D.
8
Connie Beck, Ph.D.
