Press Release

NIU Law Honored for Diversity Initiatives

February 12, 2008

DeKalb, Ill. – The Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) and the Princeton Review each recently recognized the Northern Illinois University College of Law for its diversity initiatives.

CLEO presented NIU Law with its 2007 Diversity Award in recognition of the college’s continued commitment to diversifying the legal profession. This is NIU Law’s fourth receipt of the distinguished honor.

The award specifically recognizes NIU Law’s significant involvement with the CLEO College Scholars Program. In partnership with the organization, NIU Law annually hosts undergraduate students from around the nation at its Annual Sophomore Summer Institute. Designed for those interested in attending law school, the primary goal of the program is to help low-income, minority or disadvantaged students succeed in law school. The Institute, held at the NIU College of Law, was the only one of its kind for the past five years offered in conjunction with CLEO. Last year, CLEO offered similar programs patterned after the NIU model.

The Princeton Review also recognized NIU Law’s diversity efforts by including the college among its list of the Top 10 law schools that have the most diverse faculty, as published in its 2008 edition of Best 170 Law Schools. This is the fourth straight year that NIU Law has been recognized for its diversity among its students and faculty by the Princeton Review, a New York-based education services company. One-third of the NIU Law faculty are people of color.

“Whereas receiving recognition is wonderful, the work we do is not about awards – it is all for the students,” remarked NIU Law Interim Dean Malcolm L. Morris, who is the college’s CLEO Program director. “We are pleased that CLEO and the Princeton Review again has acknowledged our dedication to fostering a welcoming and multicultural learning environment that attracts individuals with a wide range of interests and backgrounds.”

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For more information:

Contact: Melody Mitchell
Alumni Events & Public Relations
815.753.9655 or mmitchell@niu.edu