CUNY School of Law receives nearly $550K grant to expand pioneering diversity initiative

August 15, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

CUNY School of Law, recipient of a nearly $550K grant from AccessLex Institute, continues to lead the way in diversifying the legal profession through its groundbreaking Pipeline to Justice Program. Photo: Evulaj90/Wikimedia Commons

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The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law has been awarded a $549,868 grant from AccessLex Institute to expand its Pipeline to Justice Program, an innovative initiative aimed at diversifying the legal profession. The grant will allow CUNY Law to increase enrollment, enhance faculty and staff training, and establish a replicable model for other law schools nationwide, setting a new benchmark for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in legal education.

The Pipeline to Justice Program is a 10-month pre-law initiative designed to go beyond traditional LSAT preparation. It offers a holistic approach that includes academic skill development, community building, self-esteem enhancement, and professional identity formation. This comprehensive strategy is particularly focused on students from historically excluded communities, providing them with the tools and support needed to succeed in law school and beyond.

“This funding will allow us to expand the reach and impact of the Pipeline to Justice Program, which helps CUNY Law bring in outstanding students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who will help strengthen the community of the law school and improve the legal profession,” said Sudha Setty, dean of CUNY School of Law.

The grant from AccessLex Institute will enable the Pipeline to Justice Program to increase its enrollment, improve the success rate of its graduates entering law school, and solidify its status as a model for other institutions. The program’s success has already contributed to CUNY Law’s recognition as one of the most diverse law schools in the United States, as noted by Princeton Review and preLaw Magazine.