A cohort of upperclass students has been selected to guide the class of 2026 through the 1L Practice Group Program, a series focused on personal and professional development. Under this model, the Inclusive Leadership Fellows partner with assistant dean of student development and chief of staff Molly Brummond, as well as a 1L faculty advisor.
Fellows act as front-line mentors for approximately 15 1L students, with two fellows assigned to each practice group. They discuss law school life, introduce students to social networks, and facilitate workshops. These small group discussions also cover intention setting for the academic year, cross-cultural competency, and how to make the most of your time outside of class.
Olivia Stanek, ’24, became interested in the fellowship as a way to provide 1Ls with an all-encompassing resource for law school.
“It was something that I really wanted to be a part of, because I felt like it would have been super helpful when I was in my first year,” she said.
Conversations within practice groups can cover anything from practice exams to work-life balance. One of the greatest takeaways, Stanek said, is that the 1L class can start building a community from day one.
“It’s letting them form those friendships within the group, so that first day of class they at least know one person they can sit by,” she said.
Rachel Higgins, ’24, sees the benefit in the program’s approach. As a student, she feels she can be an accessible resource.
“When it comes to specifics like recommending certain classes, having a student perspective is a huge advantage,” she said.