Widener Law Commonwealth Launches Center for Equity and Justice
Widener University Commonwealth Law School has marked a major milestone with the official launch of its Center for Equity and Justice, dedicated to promoting social justice, expanding educational opportunities, and fostering diversity within the legal profession. The inaugural event featured remarks from Associate Professor Kellyn McGee, student fellow Tara Smith, and Dean andré douglas pond cummings, each emphasizing the center’s commitment to creating pathways to law for underrepresented communities.
McGee, the faculty director of the new center, spotlighted its role in supporting marginalized and underrepresented populations. “The Center for Equity and Justice is a commitment to closing the gaps for communities that have been historically excluded from the legal field,” she said. “Our mission is to provide both access and support, helping to create a diverse and inclusive legal profession.”
One of the center’s flagship initiatives is its Pathway program, a collaborative effort with the Law School Admissions Council and the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, designed to aid aspiring law students from underserved backgrounds. This initiative offers a twelve-week intensive Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT, preparation course at no cost, along with mentorship and community-building resources. Smith, a student fellow for the center, spoke about the impact of the program on aspiring law students.
“Through the Pathway program, we are giving students the confidence to see themselves as future lawyers,” Smith said. “For many of these students, who may not know lawyers personally or have family members in the profession, the program provides a supportive community and practical skills for success in law school.” She highlighted that the program included a mock law class, panel discussions with current students, and a campus tour, helping participants envision themselves as legal professionals.
cummings closed the event with a powerful message about the broader mission of the center. “Our nation still faces significant gaps in representation and opportunity within the legal profession,” he said. “The Center for Equity and Justice aims to be a catalyst for change by supporting first-generation students, marginalized communities, and those historically excluded from law school access.”
In addition to the Pathway program, the center plans to develop more initiatives, including a community policing program and reentry opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, all aimed at addressing inequalities in the justice system. With continued funding and community support, the Center for Equity and Justice aspires to empower the next generation of lawyers dedicated to service and social change.
