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Graduating Class of 2017 Pipeline Program

UHLC PRE-LAW PIPELINE PROGRAM SCHOLARS LEAVE WITH MISSION TO BE TRAILBLAZERS
Forty-six graduates of the University of Houston Law years of college. The curriculum consists of three weeks of
Center’s Pre-Law Pipeline Program were encouraged introductory law school classes taught by UHLC faculty,
to follow their dreams of pursuing a legal education at a two weeks of LSAT preparation, and three weeks of
closing at the Student Center South on the University of internships.
Houston’s main campus. “Prior to the start of our internship period, we were prepped
The theme of this year’s Closing Ceremony, “Trailblazing,” to be stellar young professionals through professional
was selected by Leen Basharat, a student at the University development workshops hosted by Kristi Johnson, a
of Houston. “I felt that nothing could better describe the 46 communication consultant and coach, and Kourtney James
students selected into this program,” said Basharat, one of Perry, associate director of the Career Development Office,”
the Pipeline Program students. “As I asked those who were said Elena Villarreal, a student at Texas A&M University.
the first in their family to become a lawyer, first to attend “We were supported throughout our internship placement
a college in the U.S. or the first to attend a second level of by an online session with Tiffany Tucker, assistant dean for
higher education to stand to be recognized, I saw the room Career Development, who generously volunteered her time
rise. with the pipeline students.”
“This program offered opportunity to shape ourselves and Twenty-seven students took part in the Scholar II track,
society, regardless of where you’ve come from.” designed for students in their third or fourth year of
The program, which completed its third year, was college who are preparing to apply to law school. The
established by Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes and Scholar II track focuses on building a strong law school
Program Manager Kristen Guiseppi. The eight-week application. The curriculum consists of eight weeks of LSAT
summer course is designed to increase diversity among preparation, résumé and personal statement workshops,
law school applicants and to provide students from and follow-up one-on-one sessions. It is recommended
underrepresented backgrounds an opportunity to consider that students participate in both tracks to maximize their
law school seriously. The 2017 class marked the highest potential in the program.
attendance in the program’s brief history. “As a Scholar II student, we participated in a comprehensive
“It is quite fitting that trailblazing was the theme for this LSAT focused curriculum,” said Divine Collins, a student at
year’s ceremony,” Guiseppi said. “In many ways, these Spelman. “We developed a strong foundation of LSAT basics
students have shown themselves to be trendsetters and during the first few weeks, and we built upon them during
have demonstrated the drive and grit to take on the role of the remainder of the program. Each student was assigned
being leaders and future lawyers. These students are going mentors, current law school students and attorneys, who
to make their mark on the world, and it was an absolute were able to advise us and provide important information
pleasure being part of their genesis this summer. I anticipate about law school experiences. This is one of the many
only great things from each and every one of them.” support systems that will remain in place for us when we
The program divides students into two tracks: Scholar I and return to our homes and colleges.
Scholar II. Participants came from universities around the country,
Nineteen students participated in the program’s Scholar with two previous Scholar I students returning to bolster
I track, which is designed for students in their first two their law school applications in the Scholar II track.

22 Briefcase 2018