On May 30 and 31, 20 students affiliated with the Law School’s Increasing Diversity in Education and the Law (IDEAL) program and Realizing Excellence and Access in the Law (REAL) Scholars program traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the “Law in Practice” portion of the IDEAL program. The two-day trip was filled with eventful meetings with federal leaders—including an opportunity for students to meet Vicki Arroyo, associate administrator for policy at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Larry Schnedier ’93, deputy chief of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)—and included a stop at Jones Day for a roundtable lunch discussion with attorneys. A major supporter of the IDEAL program and its vision since 2021, Jones Day continues to be highly involved with the program’s various initiatives and efforts.
“When we launched the IDEAL program in 2019, there was no doubt in our minds that a trip to Washington, D.C. would serve as one of the highlights of the program,” said Jennifer Haastrup, program manager for diversity, equity and inclusion at the Law School, who helped organize the trip alongside Kamille Dean, director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Law School, and Kimathi Gordon-Somers, assistant dean of student affairs and diversity. “Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to make this a reality for two years. Three cohorts later, being able to finally provide this invaluable experience was a joy to witness. For many of the students, this was their first trip to our nation’s capital, their first time in the Supreme Court, and their first time engaging with federal officials in an intimate setting.”
She added, “l can’t thank our Jones Day partners, alumni network, and all the officials we met enough for contributing to this memorable moment for the students.”
Students Reflect on Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip
At Jones Day, the students were joined by Fordham Law Alumni Association President Edward M. Joyce ’86 and John Normile ’88, partner at the firm, to speak with attorneys Kevin Comeau, Shirlethia Franklin, and Kevyn Orr, who shared their career journeys and answered students’ questions. They also met with Schnedier at Jones Day to discuss his work at the DOJ, leaving some students feeling inspired to consider a path in public service.
At the EPA, students had the opportunity to hear from Arroyo in a more intimate setting about her office’s work and how the legal field can contribute to environmental changes in today’s world.
One of the most enjoyable & meaningful experiences I’ve had over 30 years has been mentoring talented, motivated & diverse students. Meeting w/ impressive undergrads in @FordhamLawNYC’s Increasing Diversity in Education & Law program today left me hopeful & energized! pic.twitter.com/pKTZ6XixvZ
— Vicki Arroyo (@Vicki_A_Arroyo) May 31, 2023
IDEAL student Vanessa Duller, a pre-law student who is studying criminology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said she was most excited to connect with accomplished attorneys and learn more about the individual paths that brought them to their success.
“I was quite interested in learning about the obstacles they faced along their journey and whether these challenges resonate with my own experiences,” Duller said. “I wanted to learn how they overcome these challenges because their experience and advice will provide me with invaluable lessons in my own path. While I recognize that these lawyers are probably renowned experts in their respective fields, I am intrigued in seeing their vulnerable side. Observing their vulnerability will reassure me that facing challenges is normal and that I, too, can overcome them.”
IDEAL Student Andrew Loka, a rising senior at Hunter College, echoed similar sentiments. “I was very excited to meet the Jones Day attorneys … I love meeting new people in the legal field who I can learn from,” he said. “They were very kind and their experiences were very encouraging for us as students, as a whole. Personally, it gave me a lot of hope and motivation that I could and would reach the same level of success.”
IDEAL and REAL students pose for a photo outside the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.
The students also visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture and toured the Supreme Court, which was arranged by Jones Day. Walking towards the Supreme Court building was a surreal moment, according to REAL Scholar Carlos S. Rico ’24.
“Seeing the words adorned on the top of the marble building, ‘Equal Justice Under Law’, did not demystify our Highest Court; rather, it reaffirmed me of the aspirations and promises that I had made to myself as a young man, before I started this journey,” said Rico. “My favorite part of the trip was when I entered the courtroom of the Supreme Court with my group. … I was with my close friend, Sofia Rocher ’25, and with one glance at each other we felt the presence of our families and friends who had believed in us and supported us to this point. Although our legal careers have not quite begun, it was a moment that assured me that I was meant to be in this profession.”
View more photos from the trip:
About the IDEAL Program
The IDEAL program seeks to engage New York-area college students from groups underrepresented in the profession who are interested in pursuing a law degree or who have an interest in the law. In collaboration with Fordham University and the CUNY network, IDEAL identifies promising students and exposes them to a rich and dynamic educational curriculum that begins the sophomore year and culminates with graduation from their undergraduate institution. A three-year legal training program, IDEAL offers the participating students early exposure to the study and practice of law and, through the program, seeks to afford participants the opportunity to learn about and attend law school and to become leaders on a variety of issues that impact the legal profession such as issues of racial, economic, and social justice.
