On Aug. 20, CWRU School of Law launched its inaugural fully online, part-time J.D. program, welcoming 32 diverse students from 17 states across the nation. All bring a wide range of professional experiences, making this cohort uniquely qualified and dynamic.
The program is specifically designed for working professionals and those unable to relocate. Among the group are a chemical engineer, paralegal, intelligence and financial analysts, an entrepreneur, a vice president of an American multinational finance company, a physician partner, a Broadway actor and parents (including two fathers of four, a working mother of six and another mother juggling both a six-month-old and a two-year-old).
These inspiring students have already developed a tremendous bond and are ecstatic about the opportunity to pursue their law degree. In their limited free time, they pursue a variety of hobbies: photography, flag football, football, hiking, ice hockey, participating in professional Pokémon competitions and needlepoint.
This fall, they are diving into their first two courses, Criminal Law and LLEAP 1, CWRU’s innovative program focused on legal writing, research, analysis and professionalism. Their LLEAP professor, Katy Mercer, notes that this cohort is engaged in learning and that it is fun to teach a group with such varied backgrounds and experiences. She admires their professionalism and collaboration, and she looks forward to supporting them in LLEAP 2 next spring. Criminal law professor Liam Dunn added that the students’ diverse backgrounds lead to robust discussions during class. He’s been impressed with how readily students get involved in those discussions, given that most are coming straight to class after a long workday.
The students are also working with adjunct professor Rachael Andersen-Watts, who is teaching effective learning strategies needed for studying and practicing law. Anderson-Watts enjoys working with this engaged group and looks forward to providing on-demand content, one-on-one coaching, and more, to meet the needs of this unique, tenacious group.
As noted by Assistant-Dean of Academic Affairs, Jarienn James, who manages the online, part-time J.D. program, “These students are motivated by family, lifelong dreams, career ambitions and a genuine interest in law. We are eager to guide them on their mission to enhance their personal lives, professional environments and immediate communities.” As CWRU School of Law adapts to the evolving demands of modern legal education, it is thrilled to welcome new voices and experiences that will enrich the entire student body.