The incoming class of 2022 is the most diverse entering class in law school history, according to data from the American Bar Association, and as reported by the Law School Admission Council, also known as LSAC.
The ABA data shows that 36.6% of incoming students identify as people of color. When in 2020 it was 34.1% and 33.3% in 2018, according to LSAC’s website.
LSAC also reported on percentages by race and ethnicity and found that in this year’s entering class, 57.7% of first-year students are white, 9.4% are Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% are Asian, and 7.8% are Black. When in 2021, the entering 1Ls’ were 59.5% white and 7.9% Black.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past several years have been turbulent for students and law schools alike, and LSAC has worked hard to be a source of stability and continuity,” stated LSAC.
Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana recently enrolled its most diverse class in the school’s history. The school reported that the number of minority students entering law school increased from 11% to 20% in just three years, according to a release.
University of Montana credits this to Alicia Miles, who was hired as director of admissions for the school amid the coronavirus pandemic. When Miles was hired, one of her main tasks included increasing diversity at the school.
“When I moved to Montana, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Miles said in a release. “I did know I wanted to create opportunities for as many different people as possible. Diversity is more than just race. There are wide socioeconomic differences as well.”
Miles made improvements by increasing recruiting events, traveling to events at historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions and all of Montana’s tribal colleges.
She is the face of the law school at recruiting events.
“With first-year law student (1L) tribal representation at 16%, more Native students are finding success at the Blewett School than any other time in history. Native students at the school represent over half of the recognized tribes in Montana, as well as several tribal nations from out-of-state,” stated the school’s website.
Miles was recently awarded the “Unsung Hero Award” from the American Association of Law Schools for her efforts.
