ADVANCE is a mentoring initiative designed to provide support to and improve the academic and professional achievements of first-generation law students.
ADVANCE seeks to create a welcoming and supportive space for first-generation law students at the Washington College of Law through its programming and mentorship relationships. ADVANCE builds upon and collaborates with existing efforts led by WCL's diversity and student-based initiatives recognizing the great efforts put forth by these organizations in strengthening academic and professional exce
09/11/2021
Are you interested in joining ADVANCE and receiving events and other opportunities from us? Sign up here!
ADVANCE Membership Interest Please fill out the following form if you would like to join the ADVANCE mailing list for future events, opportunities and mentor pairings.
03/19/2021
Our board member representing ADVANCE at the Student Affinity Group panel for admitted students. We are excited to meet the newly admitted students!
03/16/2021
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Sandy Arce
Dir. of Social Events & Wellness
What inspired you to become a board member?
"I answered the call to action because I wanted to ensure this organization remains on campus to help future law students who share my experience as a woman of color and first-gen. ADVANCE helped me in my 1L year at a time I was going through imposter syndrome and my mentor gave me guidance to navigate this campus. Shout to now WCL alumni Julie Tavares."
Check out our board position descriptions and application links in our bio.
03/15/2021
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Kady Hammer
Director of Professional Skills & Development
What inspired you to become a board member?
"I am actively involved in other first-gen groups such as at work as a Global Leader but wanted to get connected and give back in law school too."
Check out our board position descriptions and application links in our bio.
03/12/2021
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Janice Lopez
ADVANCE Treasurer
What inspired you to become a board member?
"ADVANCE is the only student organization at WCL dedicated to the success of first-generation students, and I wanted to do my part to make sure that its work continues to serve students that are largely underserved in academic institutions. I believe ADVANCE is one of the most important resources at WCL for first-generation students."
Check out our board position descriptions and application links in our bio.
03/11/2021
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Krupa Zachariah
ADVANCE Vice President
What inspired you to become a board member?
"My mentor [in] my 1L year was amazing and helped me so much throughout my law school journey. She inspired me to pay it forward and help other first-generation 1L students who are new at this too."
Check out our board position descriptions and application link in our bio.
03/10/2021
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
William Chavez
ADVANCE President
What inspired you to become a board member?
"I am passionate about service to others and wanted to make sure that first-generation students at WCL felt supported by a community of mentors."
Check out our board application link in our bio.
03/02/2021
MENTORING MONDAYS
Our ADVANCE Mentor:
Kaitlyn Calogero
Mentor Advice: “Don't take yourself too seriously 100% of the time! It is so easy to get caught up in the stress and seriousness of law school, but it's important to laugh and have some fun along the way.”
02/25/2021
What is a mentor to you?
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”
— Oprah Winfrey
02/22/2021
MENTORING MONDAYS
Our ADVANCE Mentor:
Alexis Rossetti
Mentor Advice: “Focus on the study skills that got you into law school - don’t reinvent what already works for you just because it’s law school!”
02/16/2021
MENTORING MONDAYS
Our ADVANCE Mentor:
Liriam Quintanilla Figuereo
Mentor Advice: “Do not surround yourself with people who view success as a zero-sum game. Find your community, uplift each other, and make the most of your time at law school.”