Twenty-three of the incoming students at Fordham Law School this fall are members of the Realizing Excellence and Access in the Law (REAL) Scholars program, a leadership program launched in 2021 that offers support and opportunity to students who have encountered barriers on their path to law school.
“The REAL Scholars Program is intended to facilitate incoming first year law students in forming community with other entering students before classes begin through pre-orientation week,” explained Khanh V. Nguyen, program director of diversity, equity and inclusion. “They obtain essential academic, professional, wellness, and social skills necessary to thrive in law school and the legal profession while also building relationships with peers, teaching fellows, faculty, staff, and alumni across the Fordham Law community.”
According to Nguyen, this year’s cohort includes five evening students and 18 day students. Over half of this year’s 23 student participants are first-generation college students, and most are first-generation law students. This past May, the first class of REAL Scholars graduated from Fordham Law. Of the nearly 70 students who have participated in the program since its beginning in 2021, over half have held leadership positions on campus, whether through the Student Bar Association, Moot Court teams, affinity organizations, or student journals.
Tariq Hussein ’27 reflected on his first experiences with the program, “From rigorous classes to receptions at law firms and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the REAL Scholars program did an amazing job of immersing us in the law school experience. Most of all, it gave me the chance to meet classmates from similar backgrounds and to forge bonds that will last until graduation and beyond.”
“Programs like REAL in law schools are crucial because they foster an inclusive environment that ensures that various perspectives and experiences are represented. This leads to a richer, more comprehensive legal education. REAL also prepares the students to be future leaders by encouraging and helping them to lead effectively in diverse settings and to navigate complex social issues, which is increasingly important in today’s globalized world,” said Kimathi Gordon-Somers, assistant dean of student affairs and diversity. “But perhaps most importantly, the REAL program plays a vital role in shaping the future of the legal profession by ensuring that it is inclusive, equitable, and capable of addressing the diverse needs of society.”
The REAL Scholars program receives philanthropic support from Dennis Dunne and Charlotte Byers, PAR ’24, Scott FitzGerald ’92, Eric Grossman ’93, Michael Paskin ’95, and David Tanen ’96, with mentorship and event support from Jones Day. During their time with REAL, students will have peer mentors, alumni mentors, faculty liaisons, advisors, and teaching assistants. They will meet managing partners, general counsels, judges, professors, and alumni throughout the numerous workshops, sessions, events, and receptions REAL will host for them.
“I think we all left the orientation feeling a strong sense of camaraderie for one another – I feel more confident starting school knowing that so many students and faculty are rooting for my and my classmates’ successes,” said Akansha Khurana ’27. “I’m looking forward to developing the personal and professional relationships we started cultivating during orientation—as the support provided by the REAL Scholars program continues throughout our time at Fordham and even as alumni.”
This year’s cohort attended a weeklong orientation where they met with faculty and staff and talked about a wide array of topics, including career planning, stress management, and legal writing. They also attended receptions at two law firms in Manhattan, Jones Day and Hamilton Clarke, LLP.
“The hope is by providing training on leadership and professional development through REAL, such as critical thinking skills, effective communication, and the ability to advocate for themselves and others, these students—many of whom have had limited exposure to legal professionals and the intricacies of the legal field—will be equipped with the confidence and skills necessary to navigate the rigorous academic environment of law school,” said Nguyen. “REAL aims to demystify the legal profession by offering insights into the expectations, norms, and opportunities within the field thus empowering students to make informed decisions about their careers, seek out mentorship, and build networks that are often essential for success in law.”
