The Strategic Accelerator Institute is a premier, high-impact leadership development program designed to empower law school leaders in higher education with the knowledge, tools, and strategic capabilities needed to navigate the rapidly shifting anti-DEI policy environment.
This institute is part of a broader partnership effort between Dr. Damon A. Williams and the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership & Social Innovation (CSDLSI) to support ALDIP leaders in responding to anti-DEI challenges at the highest level. Grounded in over 30 years of research, leadership training, and strategic organizational development, this initiative equips deans, faculty, administrators, and policy influencers with the insights and action strategies necessary to sustain inclusive excellence despite growing external pressures.
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Opening Reception
7:00 AM – 7:45 AM Zumba
Join our colleague Issa DiSciullo for a fun and invigorating start to the day. Whether this is your first Zumba class, or you are a seasoned pro, this will be a good opportunity to gather with friends and colleagues.
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Keynote Speaker
Dr. Damon A. Williams, a nationally recognized thought leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), will deliver a powerful, clarifying, and action-oriented keynote on the second day of the AMDiP Annual Meeting. As Chief Catalyst of the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership & Social Innovation (CSDLSI) and leader of the National Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy (NIXLA), Dr. Williams has partnered with more than 2,000 organizations as a keynote speaker, strategist, and social innovation leader. He has worked directly with over 7,000 senior leaders and guided dozens of institutions in developing strategic responses to the rising anti-DEI movement.
Speaker:
Dr. Damon A. Williams
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM Break
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Workshop #1
In this session, you will explore the ALDiP Survey of Law School Diversity Professionals (SLSDP) and its role in shaping the future of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in legal education. This workshop will provide an overview of the 2020 SLSDP findings and guide participants through the completion of the anonymous and confidential 2025 survey during the session. At a time when legal diversity professionals face increasing challenges, this session will examine the current state of DEIB in law schools while gathering critical, anonymous and confidential data from participants to inform future strategies. The ALDiP survey will collect key insights on anti-DEI challenges, strategic responses across institutions, and essential data to advance diversity in law schools, improve student outcomes, and integrate professional identity formation, cultural competency, race, and bias into legal education. Researchers from the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership and Social Innovation will co-facilitate the anonymous and confidential data collection for this session, ensuring an engaging and meaningful discussion. These data will be used to inform the updated 2025 State of Law School Diversity Professionals Report, helping to shape the profession’s next steps.
Speakers:
Lisa Taylor, Assistant Dean, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Leadership Development., American University, Washington College of Law
Monica Monroe, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, Equity and Belonging, Harvard Law School
Facilitator: Justin Cruz, Associate Dean of Admission and Diversity Initiatives, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Workshop #2
It’s time to stand up, speak out, and take action to protect the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This workshop will explore strategies for combating the rise of anti-DEI policies in higher education, focusing on the impact these policies have on campus communities. Participants will learn about efforts to resist anti-DEI measures and how to build solidarity to protect and promote diversity initiatives. Attendees will leave with practical tools and approaches for fostering a more inclusive environment despite political and legislative obstacles.
Speakers:
Misty Levingston, Director of Black Excellence and Achievement, Chapman University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Reverend Yvette Wilson Barnes, Associate Chaplain, Sentara Health, former Associate Dean of Student Affairs at CUNY Law
Sacha Coupet, Professor of Law, Loyola Chicago University School of Law
Facilitator: Tania Luma, Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM AMDiP Outing
8:30 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM Workshop #3
According to the American Bar Association, Latinx attorneys make up just 5% of the legal profession, despite representing nearly 18% of the U.S. population. This panel will explore the distinct challenges faced by Latinx professionals in law, shedding light on the barriers they encounter and the strategies they employ to navigate them. Featuring diverse Latinx voices, the discussion will address crucial topics such as cultural identity, representation, and the enduring impact of systemic inequalities within the legal field. Panelists will share personal stories and professional insights, underscoring the importance of increasing Latinx representation and support in law schools, firms, and legal organizations, and providing attendees with actionable steps to foster greater inclusivity and equity in the profession.
Speakers:
Luz Herrera, Professor, Texas A&M University School of Law
Anthony Varona, Dean, Seattle University School of Law
Juan Perea, Professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Christina Guerola Sarchio, Partner, Dechert LLP, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association
Victoria Hamcho, Associate, K&L Gates, President-Elect Hispanic Bar Association of DC
Moderator: Justin Cruz, Associate Dean of Admission and Diversity Initiatives, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Workshop #4
As law schools strive to make data-driven decisions and build more inclusive communities, maintaining accurate and consistent demographic data is crucial. In practice though, evolving discourse and terminology, institutional systems, and an increasingly politicized landscape can make this a far more challenging endeavor. To best serve our law schools’ communities, we must do our best to understand who our students are beyond the numbers–but having and understanding the numbers is a vital starting place. In this session you will hear from two experts who will discuss tips and tricks for collecting and reporting various types of demographic data, offering insights and recommendations you can utilize to better support institutional goals and DEIB-related initiatives.
Speakers:
Will Jawde, Director of Institutional Research, CUNY School of Law
Laura Fonseca, Senior Director of DEI Programs and Initiatives, Law School Admission Council
Moderator: Maya Alperin, Assistant Director for Data and Analytics Admissions, CUNY School of Law
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Hot Topics
Join us for these popular small-group discussions on important topics relating to personal, student, and institutional experiences in DEIB. Nothing is off the table, including anti-DEIB rhetoric, workplace resistance to progress, political struggles, freedom of speech, need for personal support or advice, advocating for students, new language, and creative solutions.
Facilitator: Tania Luma, Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Loyola University Chicago, School of Law
2:30 PM-2:45 PM Break
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM Workshop #5
Amidst growing political threats to our academic institutions and a new generation of law students, preserving academic freedom and advocacy on our campuses is more important than ever. Panelists, whose work intersects with academic freedom and advocacy in a variety of ways, will discuss current threats to free expression in higher education and explore how faculty, students, and administrators can weather and combat these challenges. From the in-classroom experience and accreditation standards (like ABA Standard 208, which strengthens protections for academic freedom and expression), to increased reliance on changing technology, to global strategies, attendees will leave with practical strategies for safeguarding their law schools’ core values and identifying opportunities to collaborate and continue building diverse and inclusive communities of law students, staff, and faculty.
Speakers:
Chaumtoli Huq, Professor, CUNY School of Law
Apratim Vidyarthi, Associate Attorney at Gibson Dunn
Saba Ismail, Advocacy Associate for Global Coalitions, Scholars at Risk
Moderator: Maya Alperin, Assistant Director for Data and Analytics Admissions, CUNY School of Law
4:00 PM Closing