Fairfield, CA, December 4, 2013:  Solano Community College (SCC) Governing Board approved with full support the College’s request to submit a letter of interest to the State Bar of California to be considered one of 20 community colleges to participate in an innovative diversity outreach initiative: Community College Pathway to Law School.  Participation in this initiative will provide eligible SCC students interested in law with an opportunity to be granted guaranteed admission or given priority enrollment to a minimum of four top accredited law schools in California.

The Community College Pathway to Law School program would provide a clear pathway from community college to law school.  Support for the students, including mentoring and pre-law counseling, will be included in order to provide students with the best possible chance for success.  The initiative requires the completion of courses that are based on a defined set of success factors that help make effective lawyers.

“Participation in this initiative is a phenomenal opportunity for the College.  Our students interested in law will be afforded a chance to receive high priority into top law schools in California — we are essentially embarking on a Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG) with law schools,” commented Dr. Jowel Laguerre, SCC Superintendent-President.

Presently, the State of California is a majority-minority state with approximately 60 percent of its population made up of persons from racial-ethnic minority groups, however, the California State Bar is made up of approximately 20 percent racial-ethnic minority lawyers.  Diversity in the legal and judicial system is a priority for public trust and confidence.

For additional information, please contact Professor Joel Powell at joel.powell@solano.edu or 707.864.7000, ext. 4303.