The Samuel D. Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice | GSE | Rutgers

Professionals in Legal Education Developing Greater Equity

    The Professionals in Legal Education Developing Greater Equity (PLEDGE) Initiative is an effort to increase knowledge and skills related to using empirical research methods to design, administer, and assess student success programs. 

    The initiative was launched in 2022 as a partnership between AccessLex Institute and the Southern Education Foundation. The curriculum is conceptualized and executed by the Proctor Institute. Its purpose is to help foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments within law schools.  

    The initiative is targeted at law school administrators and faculty and consists of two components:  

    • The PLEDGE Bootcamp: a two-day in-person empirical methods training. The 2024 Bootcamp will take place April 3-5 at American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. Bootcamp Application is closed.
    • The PLEDGE Fellowship: a 14-month professional development program in which fellows complete a Capstone, taking the form of an empirical assessment of a law student-facing program. Fellowship Application information below. Applications due July 14. 

    APPLY FOR THE PLEDGE FELLOWSHIP 

    PLEDGE Fellowship

    The PLEDGE Fellowship is a 14-month professional development program in which Fellows complete a Capstone, taking the form of an empirical assessment of a law student-facing program. The program should be premised on fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. The Fellowship targets experienced law school administrators, faculty members, and other similarly situated professionals.

    Teams of two Fellows will undertake program assessments, called Capstones, using empirical research methods focusing on one of the following three topical strands: 

    • Admission and Access
    • Academic Performance
    • Bar Exam Performance

    Fellowship teams will receive the following funding and support premised on enhancing the feasibility and quality of their work:

    • Capstone budget: up to $25,000 for research activities
    • Stipend: $4,000 per Fellow
    • Access to Capstone design expertise
    • Access to professional development coaching

    Important Dates:

    • Fellowship Application:
      • Launch: June 3, 2024
      • Submission deadline: July 14, 2024
    • Fellowship teams announced: August 9, 2024
    • Fellowship:
      • Begins: September 25-27, 2024 (Southern Education Foundation headquarters — Atlanta, GA)
      • Ends: November 2025

    Please feel free to send questions about the Fellowship to PLEDGE@accesslex.org.

    MEET CURRENT AND PAST PLEDGE FELLOWS