■ Diversity , Equity & Inclusion
Continued From Page 18 inception in 1972 . Attendant to that , we continue to embrace the principles of diversity , equity , inclusion ( DEI ) and unbridled access to quality higher education for all . This year afforded us new opportunities to be increasingly intentional in our commitment to this ideal across all dimensions of our work . Our Diversity , Equity and Inclusion Council ( DEIC )— comprised of representatives from every TESU division and New Jersey State Library ’ s ( NJSL ) staff — continues in its mission of providing a safe space to generate DEI-related dialogue , engagement and growth across both institutions . Our recently launched Peer Tutoring and Coaching Program helps students overcome academic and personal obstacles by ensuring that at-risk , nontraditional students succeed and thrive in their degree pursuits . Our Edison Sound Stage podcasts invite members of the community to weigh in on the value of building an inclusive workforce , leveraging diverse talent and the positive implications of that mindset on the 21st Century workforce . We ’ ll continue to expand on these themes and focus our efforts toward an increasingly supportive and inclusive environment as our next decades unfold .
William Paterson University By Dr . Richard J . Helldobler , President
Scholarships help to fill the pipeline with law students to diversify not only the law firm , but the legal profession as well .
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At William Paterson , a strong commitment to diversity , equity and inclusion is one of the university ’ s core values and one of the ways we ensure that all our students receive an excellent education that will allow them to succeed in an increasingly complex society . Our longstanding commitment to diversity , equity and inclusion was further strengthened in 2021 through several new initiatives . We opened the Center for Latinidad which , together with the existing Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Black Cultural Center , creates a series of resource-rich spaces for enhancing awareness of our community ’ s diverse cultural wealth and resiliency . We also welcomed our first class of postdoctoral fellows through a new program for candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds . We now host a Community Dialogue series , where the campus community engages in sometimes difficult but always important conversations . Earlier in the year , we launched the inaugural President ’ s Diversity Lecture . And we formed the Council for Equity and Justice , which will help ensure that , in 2022 and beyond , we continue to build on these efforts , which are critical to serving and supporting our diverse student body , faculty and staff .
LAW
Archer & Greiner P . C . By Shelley R . Smith , Esq ., Chief Diversity , Equity and Inclusion Officer
Archer maintains a strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the firm and strives to create a workplace environment that embraces differences in perspectives and cultures so that all can work in an atmosphere of inclusion and respect . This not only provides Archer employees with an opportunity to flourish in their careers , but also optimizes the firm ’ s ability to provide exceptional service to its clients . Archer has developed a variety of initiatives , both inward- and outward-facing , that enable us to attract , nurture , retain and promote top talent from a wide range of backgrounds . One initiative that we are especially proud of is our diversity scholarship programs : Rutgers School of Law — Camden , established in 1999 ; Temple University Beasley School of Law , established in 2011 ; and Seton Hall University School of Law , established just this year . Diverse law students often come from backgrounds with less exposure to members of the legal profession . We feel these scholarships are important to help even the playing field financially and give diverse law students more experience in law firms . Scholarships like these , help to fill the pipeline with law students to diversify not only the law firm , but the legal profession as well .
Connell Foley LLP By Neil V . Mody , Esq ., Co-Chair , DEI Committee
Our law firm has embraced a number of targeted DEI initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and dismantling structural inequity in the field of law . In 2021 , Connell Foley joined Mansfield Certification Class 5.0 , which requires participating law firms and legal
An inclusive workplace environment embraces differences in perspectives and cultures .
departments to consider a critical mass of attorneys from historically underrepresented groups for attorney hiring , partnership elevations and senior leadership roles . Through this initiative , Connell Foley partners with clients , colleagues and other firms to more mindfully incorporate DEI considerations into recruitment , retention and promotion practices . As part of our DEI initiative , Connell Foley has amplified its mentorship program to include a series of training sessions to support new and diverse attorneys . Additionally , firm management meets frequently and candidly with new and diverse associates to solicit input on firm initiatives and provide “ open door ” access to raise and address DEI concerns . The firm also has engaged an outside consulting firm to assist with DEI efforts and present CLE-accredited seminars exploring unconscious and explicit bias , micro-aggressions and other DEI topics . Recognizing that the best innovation comes from inclusive work environments , Connell Foley ’ s DEI initiative strives to foster diverse ideas and nurture diverse talent .
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC By Shirley Emehelu , Esq ., Chair of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion Committee
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi ’ s efforts to foster diversity , equity and inclusion are best exemplified by the work of the firm ’ s Diversity , Equity & Inclusion Committee . The Committee ’ s focus on supporting corporate culture has taken on a pivotal role during CSG Law ’ s remote work environment ,
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