Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The College of Law’s diversity statement recognizes diversity as a core value – a value that is also embraced by the University of Cincinnati. As a public research university, we embrace a very broad concept of diversity that includes commonly recognized considerations such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability status, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, family structure, sexual orientation, religion and regional or national origin. Our aim is to train the next generation of leaders in the profession with the knowledge, values and professional skills required to thrive as a 21st century attorney in a global marketplace. Every semester, students, staff, faculty and the broader community have multiple opportunities to attend events at the College of Law on topics relating to civil rights, domestic violence, race, social justice and gender.
Our commitment to diversity extends beyond traditional notions of ensuring that our community reflects the diversity of the clients our graduates will serve. We are equally committed to inclusion and ensuring every member of our community – no matter how they identify – has access to the opportunities the College of Law offers. We have numerous affinity student organizations, including the Asian Pacific Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, First Generation Law Students, Jewish Law Students Association, Latina/o Law Students Association, Law Women and Out & Allies. From orientation through graduation and admission to the bar, the Office of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and Diversity supports to ensure their full engagement in the academic programs, student and career services, and other opportunities offered by the College of Law.
Student Experience Videos
Being LGBTQ+ at Cincinnati Law
Being Latinx at Cincinnati Law
Being Black at Cincinnati Law
Identity-based Law Student Organizations
The Asian Pacific Law Students Association serves the interests and needs of students with ethnic and/or cultural ties to Asia and the Pacific Rim. Sponsoring symposiums, workshops, and social events, the organization heightens awareness of Asian Americans in the legal community. Through active participation, members derive a sense of self-empowerment, while developing invaluable leadership skills.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Houh
Student Leaders
- President: Sanjaly Geevarghese
- Vice President: Jay Khan
The University of Cincinnati Chapter of BLSA is an active participant in the National Black Law Students Association. BLSA was created in 1969 with the goal of opening law school doors and enhancing the quality of legal education for African-American students throughout the United States. BLSA has been instrumental in providing African-Americans with expanded access to the field of law during the 70's, 80's, and 90's. In the 21st Century, BLSA is poised to continue advocating for major increases in the number of African-American faculty hired and African-American students admitted to law schools throughout the United States. Although many doors have opened, many more remain closed; consequently BLSA's job is hardly over. African-Americans are still disproportionately under represented in the legal arena. To prevent erosion of the advances made by BLSA, the organization is determined to push onward with continued vigor. BLSA has established a strong working relationship with the National Bar Association, Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati and many other national and local organizations. BLSA does not seek to isolate itself from the law school community, rather it advocates cooperation and involvement of its members with other students, student organizations, faculty and staff. In fact, members of BLSA are active in Law Review, Moot Court, Student Bar Association, Student Court, the Urban Morgan Human Rights Institute, Student Legal Education Committee, and the Honor Council, must to name a few. Each year, in conjunction with the Moot Court program, BLSA sends teams to the Frederick Douglass Moot Court competition sponsored by the National Black Law Students Association. During the academic school year BLSA presents speakers from the legal community whose expertise can offer stimulating insight into the field of law and enhance the quality of legal education at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Indeed, BLSA is ready for the challenges of the 21st Century and beyond.
Preamble: (from Our Constitution)
We, the members of the Black Law Students Association at the University of Cincinnati, in order to promote the development of committed Black law students and lawyers, to inform Black law students and to encourage participation of Black law students in the affairs of the Black community, to increase the representation of Black law students, faculty members and administrators at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and to promote unity and awareness, do hereby establish this Constitution for the University of Cincinnati Chapter of the Black Law Students Association. The purpose of BLSA shall be to represent the views of Black students at the University of Cincinnati College of Law; to provide a forum for the discussion of local and national issues affecting both the Black law student community and the University community as a whole; to promote the welfare of its members through educational, professional, cultural and social programs; to focus upon the relationship between the Black law student and the law structure; to instill in the Black attorney and law student a greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the Black community; to influence American law schools, legal fraternities and associations to use their expertise and prestige to bring about change within the legal system in order to make it responsive to the needs of the Black community; and to do any and all things necessary and lawful for the accomplishment of these purposes.
Faculty Advisor: Dean Jeter-Bailey
Student Leaders
- President: Janelle Thompson
- Vice President: Jeremy D'Abreau
- Secretary: James Gravely
The First Generation Law Students goal is to support those who are the first in their family to attend law school, or who did not grow up in the presence of a lawyer or legal practitioner. To accomplish this goal, the FGLS provides programming and support meant to help its audience:
- Adapt to the difficulties and unique challenges of law school
- Become better prepared and situated for future legal employment on graduation
Student Leaders
- President: Reyna Grundy
- Vice President: Carson Blackwell
The National Latina/o Law Student Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation serving as a conduit for Latina/o law student voices. Founded on principles of social, ethnic, racial, gender and sexual equality, NLLSA is focused on advancing Latina/o academic success and commitment to community service. NLLSA is fueled by a progressive coalition-building approach to addressing the legal issues affecting Latinas/os around the nation.
The University of Cincinnati College of Law Chapter aims to embody the values set forth by the National Chapter. As the nation’s premier, small, urban, public law school, we have the unique ability to promote representation of Latina/o voices in the Midwest. As the country’s fourth oldest continuously operating law school, we have a responsibility to be at the forefront of social justice issues that present themselves locally and nationally.
We strive to be the leading center for student resources, dialogue and action. LLSA is committed to encouraging student-led encuentros, conferences, and other community-strengthening gatherings. We aspire to inform, excite and empower generations of law students so that they may be responsive to the legal needs of the communities that surround them.
Student Leaders
- President: Rosita Ortiz
- Secretary: Angela Landa
- Treasurer: Jorge Diaz-Guma
The mission of MLA is to provide Muslim law students a platform where they can connect with the legal community and advocate for the social, economic, political and religious issues of Muslims in the United States. MLA’s goal is to reach out to the Muslim community and prove to be a legal liaison for Muslims in Cincinnati. The MLA believes in the legal, political, economic, religious and social equality of all people regardless of sex, gender, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, political ideology, sexual identity, age, disability, class, or socioeconomic status and promises to adhere to that belief inside and outside the law school.
Out & Allies is a student organization dedicated to creating a forum for all students and faculty to discuss issues of sexual orientation in the law. We aim to create a voice for law students who identify as members of the LGBTQIA community, and to foster a supportive atmosphere for inclusivity within the law school. Out & Allies is dedicated to community engagement and service. Throughout the school year we present educational programming on LGBTQIA issues, we raise funds for local charities who directly benefit the LGBTQIA community, and we strive to ensure that LGBTQIA students are fully supported as they enter the legal community.
You can follow us on facebook.
Faculty Advisor: Professor Kalsem
Student Leaders
- Vice President: Erica Anderson
- Treasurer: A. Doty
- Secretary: Silver Flight