Students at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University have donors to thank for opening opportunities to them. During the summer, faculty created employment opportunities for students after COVID-19 canceled or limited internship and externship opportunities.
ASU Law’s generous donors, including faculty members, have contributed more than $2.5 million in financial support during the pandemic. These donations have provided ASU Law students with public interest fellowships, first-generation and diversity scholarships, externship stipends, experiential learning opportunities and support for essential needs.
ASU Law Dean Douglas Sylvester said the summer program was highly successful. Altogether 81 students participated in the special summer work opportunities while earning more than $220,000 in paid stipends from ASU Law.
“Now more than ever, our students need ASU Law to not only give them the best law school experience possible, but the genuine support of helping to ensure their personal needs are met through financial contributions, meaningful ways to engage in innovative programs inside and outside the classroom, and unique work opportunities that will position them for rewarding legal careers,” Sylvester said. “The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff continue to be our top priority as we work to provide the best legal education for our students.”
ASU Law also awarded nearly $13 million in scholarships to incoming JD students for fall 2020, and the college gave more than $50,000 to students needing extra support due to COVID-19.
Another way ASU Law was helping students was by maintaining tuition costs. It has the second lowest tuition in the top 25 law schools nationally.
Students at ASU Law can choose how they attend class — in person, online or a hybrid of both. Dean Sylvester said ASU Law professors are tailoring the educational experience to every student’s personal preference to provide an even more valuable environment.
This support is part of ASU Law’s continuing spirit of generosity with more than $80 million in donor gifts, close to $5 million coming from faculty and staff, raised in the last decade.
