Tracey West, Associate Dean for External Relations, Diversity & Inclusion at Boston College Law School, has been named a National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Diversity Champion for 2015.
West has led the successful 1L LAHANAS program, which assists diverse students in their transition to the Law School and the profession. She also fosters relationships with external sponsors committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession. West’s position as associate dean was one of the first diversity and inclusion positions at any law school with a direct report to the Dean.
The 1L LAHANAS program begins with a two-day retreat during the summer before the student’s 1L year. The retreat includes presentations that highlight the first-year experience, as well as introduce various types of legal practices, “JD advantage” opportunities, and Boston’s legal community. The LAHANAS program also includes monthly workshops during the academic year that address the interests and concerns of LAHANAS students.
In its first year the LAHANAS program produced the highest number of invitations to African American students to participate on BC Law journals, as well as the highest number of 1L diverse summer scholarships received.
According to NALP’s website, the Diversity Champions Project highlights some of the most innovative diversity and inclusion practitioners in the industry. Each was carefully selected through an intensive search that included the feedback and advice of NALP’s former Presidents, current and former Diversity and Inclusion Section chairs, former and present SOGIE (formerly LGBT) Section chairs, Regional Representatives, and work group members.