Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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“You’re not an effective lawyer if you don’t have enough intercultural sensitivity to work with people of different backgrounds, and understand how the law has perpetuated inequities within historically marginalized communities.”

—Marsha Ross-Jackson, Associate Dean for the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

The Chicago-Kent community strongly believes that diversity is essential for a healthy and robust legal profession, and we have been committed to this belief since our inception more than 125 years ago. Our programs geared toward reaching out to minority and underprivileged college students are some of the longest-running in the country. Going back even further, Ida Platt, of the Class of 1894, was the first African-American woman admitted to the bar in Illinois and the third African-American female lawyer in the United States. Today, the law school attracts students with diverse backgrounds: Roughly one-third of our student body are people of color, and over half are women.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Chicago-Kent’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion identifies and implements strategies and programs to continue upholding our commitment to diversity, including:

Events, Forums and Competitions

Chicago-Kent students are offered a variety of diversity-related social events, forums and lectures, community dialogs, and even an annual writing competition. And for graduates we offer a special multicultural celebration to mark the achievements of diverse students at Chicago-Kent.

Community Outreach

Even at the high school level, we are constantly reaching out to underrepresented students to teach them about the law and to encourage interest in a potential legal career. And for undergraduate students, we continue to run the oldest Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program in the country, paving the way for underrepresented students to explore careers in the law.

University-wide Inclusion

Our Career Services Office promotes diversity-related job fairs, scholarship opportunities, summer associate positions, networking receptions, workshops, seminars, and other programs throughout the year. Every year we support career-building initiatives through partnerships with local law firms and other organizations. Additionally, our Office of Student Affairs manages accommodations based on disability and religion.

Reporting Bias

Students affected by bias (whether personally experienced or observed) at Chicago-Kent may make a complaint using our bias report forms, anonymously or otherwise.

Bias Reporting Form

“Chicago-Kent College of Law provides equality of opportunity in legal education for all persons, including applicants for admission, enrolled students, and graduates, without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap or disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

—Diversity and Equal Opportunity Statement

Contact Information

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Chicago-Kent College of Law
565 West Adams Street, Room 807
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312.906.5346
Email: mrossjac@kentlaw.iit.edu

Marsha Ross-Jackson, Esq - Associate Dean and ODEI Director