Making a Difference in a Changing World
Wednesday, June 14 – Thursday, June 15, 2023
Institutional Advancement plays a critical role in the success of a law school and is essential to the overall health of the institution. Doing this demanding work requires a refresh every so often.
Over the course of two days (June 14 and 15), we are once again convening virtually to be inspired and re-energized, to learn from experts and from each other. Hear the stories of successful programs, the hard-earned wisdom of trial and error for events, how to better engage alumni and donors, how to navigate your own career path, and much more.
Best of all, make connections with new colleagues and expand your network to support you as you strategize for your institution.
Day 1 – Wednesday June 14
12 pm – 1 pm, Eastern/ 9 am – 10 am, Pacific
Welcome AALS Institutional Advancement
Welcome to AALS Institutional Advancement
Are you new to the AALS IA Section? Or just want to connect with fellow section members early?
Bring your own breakfast/lunch/coffee to the Virtual Welcome.
Welcome:
Judy Asbury, Assistant Dean of Communications and External Relations, Lewis & Clark Law School, Co-Chairs of the AALS Institutional Advancement Planning Committee
Elizabeth Field, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, The George Washington University School of Law, Co-Chair of the AALS Institutional Advancement Section
James Greif, Director of Communications, Association of American Law Schools
Stephanie Silvestri, Senior Director of Advancement Communications, Stewardship, and Philanthropic Engagement, Seton Hall University School of Law, Co-Chair of the AALS Institutional Advancement Section
Andy Yang, External Relations, Stanford Law School, Co-Chairs of the AALS Institutional Advancement Planning Committee
1 pm – 2 pm, Eastern/10 am – 11 am, Pacific
How Institutional Advancement Can Make a Difference in a Changing World
Law school deans, as leaders of their institutions, are constantly reacting to our evolving world. The 2022 AALS American Law School Dean Study looked at how deans spend their time and it’s no surprise institutional advancement responsibilities (fundraising, communications, and alumni affairs) were a major focus.
How can we, as representatives of our law schools, help deans leverage our faculty, partner with our students, and engage our alumni and donors on issues that are important to them and to our institutions? How do we inspire alumni, donors and our communities? We will hear from a panel of law school deans about their priorities and how they partner with their institutional advancement teams to make a difference in a changing world.
Welcome:
Judy Asbury, Assistant Dean of Communications and External Relations, Lewis & Clark Law School, Co-Chair of the AALS Institutional Advancement Planning Committee
Andy Yang, External Relations, Stanford Law School, Co-Chair of the AALS Institutional Advancement Planning Committee
Introduction: Mark C. Alexander, Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law; President, Association of American Law Schools
Moderator: Katie Kempner, Associate Director of Research, Association of American Law Schools
Speakers:
Jennifer Johnson, Dean and Erskine Wood Sr. Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School
Melanie Leslie, Dean, Dr. Samuel Belkin Professor of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Jennifer Rosato Perea, Dean, DePaul University College of Law
2:00 – 2:15 pm – Break (15 mins)
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm, Eastern/11:15 am – 12:15 pm, Pacific
Crossing the Bridge on Hybrid Events/To Zoom or Not to Zoom
COVID opened up new formats for delivering events, but in our increasingly hybrid world it also presents challenges: When to host an event 100% in-person v. 100% virtual v. hybrid; how to keep audiences engaged (i.e. virtual polls, interactive breakout rooms, etc.) and accessibility issues. In this session the panelists will discuss the positives and challenges of each modality. Panelists will share their experiences and lessons learned with each of the program types, post-pandemic. The audience will be invited to share their experiences during the program.
Moderator/Speakers:
Brian Costello, Executive Director, Marketing Communications, Loyola Law School Los Angeles Sondra Tennessee, Associate Dean for Alumni & Community Relations, The University of Houston Law Center
3:10 pm – 3:20 pm, Eastern/12:10 pm – 12:20 pm, Pacific
Break
3:20 pm – 4:20 pm, Eastern/12:20 pm – 1:20 pm, Pacific
Making Social Media Work for You
Using the magic of social media to engage alumni, promote events, and increase awareness for your institution’s news is an ever-evolving skillset. Our panel will share their real-world experiences of how they’ve used Linked In and more to connect with alumni, help them network with each other, and encourage their support of the law school.
Brian Costello, Executive Director, Marketing Communications, Loyola Law School Los Angeles
Shanida Carter, Director of Marketing and Communications, Rutgers Law School
Laura Kivlighan, Marketing Manager, University of Iowa College of Law
Jessica A. Levinson,Clinical Professor of Law, Director, Public Service Institute, Director, Journalist Law School, LMU Loyola Law School
Peter Shankman, Founder, Help a Reporter Out (HARO)
4:20 pm – 4:30 pm, Eastern/1:20 pm – 1:30 pm, Pacific
Break
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Eastern/1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Pacific
Celebrating Diversity and Days of Significance
2023 marks the first year the nation will mark Juneteenth (Monday, June 19) as an official federal holiday. Such occasions present an opportunity to engage alumni and other constituencies in ways that align with institutional goals of embracing and uplifting diversity, equity, and inclusion through programming, communications, and fundraising. Whether historic or religious, many law schools are recognizing these holidays in innovative and time-tested ways. In this session, we’ll hear from IA professionals about their successes and challenges in this space.
Moderator: TaWanda Hunter Stallworth, M.Div, Program Manager, Antiracist Development Institute, Penn State
Pedro Gonzalez, Director of Diverse Alumni Communities, Stanford Law School
Ashley Golledge, Director of Marketing and Communications, University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Sondra Tennessee Associate Dean for Alumni & Community Relations, The University of Houston Law Center
[Session recording cut a few minutes short due to a Zoom error]
5:30 pm – 5:40 pm, Eastern/2:30 pm – 2:40 pm, Pacific
Break
5:40 pm – 6:40 pm, Eastern/2:40 pm – 3:40 pm, Pacific
Ask the Expert – Investing in Talent – Yourself and Your Teams
A panel of recruiters and talent leaders share their views of the state of the IA higher education job market. Learn how you can best position yourself and/or recruit for your team. Ample time will be allotted for discussion so come prepared with your questions!
Introduction/Moderator: Andy Yang, External Relations, Stanford Law School
Speakers:
Amy Bronson, Associate Vice President of Advancement Resources and Strategic Talent Management, Boston University
Sarah Hempen, Vice President, Bryant Group
Ian McCray, Senior Search Associate, Diversified Search Group
Michael Singleton, Executive Search and Assessment Consultant, Russell Reynolds Associates
[Session not recorded due to Zoom error]
Day 2 – Thursday June 15
12:45 pm – 1 pm, Eastern/9:45 am – 10 am, Pacific
Welcome to Day Two!
Welcome: Melanie Wilson, AALS President-Elect, Dean and Roy L. Steineimer, Jr. Professor, Washington and Lee University School of Law
1 pm – 2 pm, Eastern/10 am – 11 am, Pacific
Celebrating Key Milestones Within the Law School
Institutional milestones such as building dedications, relocations, anniversaries and new names can be wonderful opportunities to unite a law school’s constituencies in celebration. Whether fundraising, communicating, or engaging around the occasion, there are many roles to play by Institutional Advancement professionals. This session will explore how law schools have successfully harnessed the excitement and momentum of such occurrences. Attendees will hear various perspectives and approaches from a broad range of panelists.
Moderator:
Robin Fulton Langhans, Director of Alumni Relations, CLE & Special Events, The Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson Law
Speakers:
Andrew Berman, Associate Dean for Communications and Marketing, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Carly Holtkamp, Director of External Relations, Southern Illinois University School of Law
Julia Pollan, Assistant Dean of Advancement, Office of Institutional Advancement, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
Sondra Tennessse Associate Dean for Alumni & Community Relations, The University of Houston Law Center
2 pm – 2:10 pm, Eastern/11 am – 11:10 am, Pacific
Break
2:10 pm – 3:10 pm, Eastern/11:10 am – 12:10 pm, Pacific
Annual Fund Strategies
We all have an annual fund – how do we make our giving “ask” inspiring and fresh every year?
We’ll hear from IA professionals who describe various strategies that have resulted in successful annual fund experiences, including the use of class reunions, the power of challenge gifts, and the importance of reinforcing a culture of philanthropy amongst students and alumni.
Moderator: Judy Asbury, Assistant Dean of Communications and External Relations, Lewis & Clark Law School, Co-Chairs of the AALS Institutional Advancement Planning Committee
Jennifer S. Andrews, Assistant Director of Law School Advancement, Washington and Lee University School of Law
Molly Moshofsky Matheson, Gift Officer, Lewis & Clark Law School of Lewis & Clark College
Conor Ryan Tung, Associate Director of The Law Fund, Stanford Law School
3:10 pm – 3:20 pm, Eastern/12:10 pm – 12:20 pm, Pacific
Break
3:20 pm – 4:20 pm, Eastern/12:20 pm – 1:20 pm, Pacific
Alumni Engagement Insights from the NALP Foundation Report: What the Data Tells Us
Back by popular demand, our colleagues from The NALP Foundation will discuss what the data reported by the Class of 2019 in the Foundation’s latest Alumni Employment and Satisfaction study reveals. The newest report – the tenth of its kind – examines employment status, compensation, and mobility, as well as satisfaction dimensions reflecting how well these alumni felt their legal education prepared them for practice. This year’s study reflects data collected from over 2,290 alumni participants across the US and Canada.
Responding to key concerns in the legal profession, the Foundation added new queries this year on Professional Identity Formation, prior work experience, recruitment timing for post-graduate positions, and reasons for graduates’ job changes, while retaining prior queries about graduates’ law school-specific debt and preferences for post-graduate engagement with their law schools (providing critical insights for alumni outreach and development efforts). The report also probes the differentiated experience of graduates of color, and includes additional statistics for first-generation graduates, LGBTQ alumni, and graduates with mental and physical disabilities.
Introduction: Robin Fulton Langhans, Director of Alumni Relations, CLE & Special Events, The Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson Law
Fiona Trevelyan Hornblower, President and CEO, NALP Foundation
Jennifer Mandery, Vice President for Research, NALP Foundation
4:20 pm – 4:30 pm, Eastern/1:20 pm – 1:30 pm, Pacific
Break
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Eastern/1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Pacific
U.S. News Law Rankings
It’s a whole new world with changes to the US News Law Rankings. Or is it? We’ll hear from those who are covering the U.S. News changes and are grappling with what it all means for law schools.
Paul L. Caron, Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean Professor of Law, Pepperdine University, Caruso School of Law
Christine Charnosky, Legal Education Reporter, law.com
William Treanor, Executive Vice President and Dean, Paul Regis Dean Leadership Chair and Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center
Mike Spivey, Founder and Consultant, Spivey Consulting Group