Pepperdine Caruso Law Builds Pipeline for Historically Underserved Students
In honor of Black History Month, Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law is pleased to announce two major developments in its commitment to creating a diverse community on our campus.
Scholarships for HBCU Graduates
We have partnered with three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), a partnership that will serve to build an academic pipeline for historically underserved students. Pepperdine Caruso Law will offer a guaranteed half-tuition scholarship to graduates of partnering HBCUs who demonstrate scholastic excellence and plan to matriculate at Caruso School of Law.
Caruso Law guarantees a minimum 50% scholarship to any graduate of Spelman College, Tuskegee University, and Morehouse University who applies to, is accepted, and enrolls at Caruso Law for a Juris Doctorate degree. We are particularly proud to add that there is no limit on the number of students who can receive this guaranteed scholarship. We are especially grateful to alumna Zna Portlock-Houston who was an instrumental part in building the initial relationship with Tuskegee University.
Pepperdine Caruso's Diversity and Inclusion Statement affirms that "...our community is rich in political, racial, and spiritual diversity which has formed a strong culture of connection among our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that each person's voice and convictions enhance our community." Led by our faith-based values and true belief that each person is created in God's image and has a place in the law, we embrace a proactive mission to increase and develop diversity within the law.
Assistant Dean of the Career Development Office Chalak Richards said, "As a graduate of both Spelman College and Pepperdine Law, I am committed to seeing both institutions move forward."
California's Pathways to Law
In addition, Pepperdine University and Caruso School of Law have become university and law school partners in California LAW's Pathway to Law. This program encourages students from diverse backgrounds to consider careers in the legal profession.
From California LAW:
The Pathway to Law School ...[was] created to be the foundational structure that will connect, communicate, collaborate, and coordinate the programs that are part of the educational pipeline for diverse students into the legal profession or law-related careers. It consists of 22 high school law academies created under the California Partnership Academy model in a unique partnership between the State Bar of California and the California Department of Education.
Pepperdine Caruso Law is eager to partner with participating schools through these initiatives. We owe a special debt of gratitude to alumnus Judge Dwayne Moring for creating the initial connection to the Pathways Program.
