Introducing the Akron Law Peer Mentor Program

Peer mentorship promotes a sense of community at the School of Law and fosters student development through communication, support, and guidance to law school resources. First-year students are matched with upper-division Peer Mentors in advance of their first semester. Each Peer Mentor is an upper-level law student who volunteers to support new law students and to welcome them to the Akron Law family.

First-year law students meet their Peer Mentors during Orientation, and throughout the school year, Peer Mentors check-in with their mentees regularly by phone, text, or email, and face-to-face (as permitted) at least once per month.

The primary goals of the Peer Mentor Program are to:

  • Support first-year law students as they acclimate to law school;
  • Help first-year law students navigate law school and make the most of the many opportunities;
  • Foster a sense of community and engagement throughout the first-year class;
  • Answer questions regarding courses, degree requirements, academic support services, career services, student organizations, law review, and competition teams; and
  • Provide information about professional opportunities and academic pursuits outside of the classroom.

In pairing mentees with mentors, the program coordinators review student surveys and consider:

  • Background and experience
  • Academic interests
  • Legal Interests
  • Other points of commonality (i.e. race, gender, hometown, undergrad institution, etc.)

Upper-division students interested in serving as a mentor should complete this survey: https://akron.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eevUEBhm1qhjU6p

Paid position with Inmate Assistance Program

Inmate Assistance Program

Seeking students to work in the Inmate Assistance Program paid position, up to 20 hours per week. Typically, students will travel to Summit County jail once a week, every week, to meet with inmates who have legal questions, and research and draft letters back to the inmates.  All students attend at the same time, the day of the week changes due to class schedules.  Due to Covid-19, students are currently doing letters remotely.  A decision on returning to the jail will be made in the future in consultation with the Sheriff’s Office.  Students interested in developing interviewing, research, and writing skills should apply. Our clinic graduates use their skills in civil and criminal contexts as Public Defenders, County Prosecutors, Legal Aid lawyers, judicial law clerks, and civil practitioners.  Students must be willing to commit to the program for one year.   

Qualifications:  All students are invited to apply.

How to apply:  A cover letter and resume must be submitted to Professor Nichols at rtn3@uakron.edu.  

Deadline:  July 17, 2020

Introducing the Akron Law Peer Mentor Program

Peer mentorship promotes a sense of community at the School of Law and fosters student development through communication, support, and guidance to law school resources. First-year students are matched with upper-division Peer Mentors in advance of their first semester. Each Peer Mentor is an upper-level law student who volunteers to support new law students and to welcome them to the Akron Law family.

First-year law students meet their Peer Mentors during Orientation, and throughout the school year, Peer Mentors check-in with their mentees regularly by phone, text, or email, and face-to-face (as permitted) at least once per month.

The primary goals of the Peer Mentor Program are to:

  • Support first-year law students as they acclimate to law school;
  • Help first-year law students navigate law school and make the most of the many opportunities;
  • Foster a sense of community and engagement throughout the first-year class;
  • Answer questions regarding courses, degree requirements, academic support services, career services, student organizations, law review, and competition teams; and
  • Provide information about professional opportunities and academic pursuits outside of the classroom.

In pairing mentees with mentors, the program coordinators review student surveys and consider:

  • Background and experience
  • Academic interests
  • Legal Interests
  • Other points of commonality (i.e. race, gender, hometown, undergrad institution, etc.)

Upper-division students interested in serving as a mentor should complete this survey: https://akron.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eevUEBhm1qhjU6p