The second annual Chapman Diversity Day was held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law. The event was organized by the Minority Law Students Association (MLSA) in collaboration with the Fowler School of Law Admissions Office. Hugo Salazar, President of MLSA, organized the agenda, the volunteers and the speakers. He was supported on Saturday by fellow MLSA members and the Admissions Office.

This is a unique experience at Fowler School of Law that connects successful Latinx professionals with primarily Latinx high school students. More than 250 students attended from Orange County high and middle schools. The goal is to inform students about the benefits of reaching higher education. This is achieved by bringing students from various socioeconomic backgrounds to Fowler and organizing speakers who can inspire the students to reach higher education.

“Seeing attorneys who have experienced similar struggles and who have overcome challenges along the way provides hope and inspiration to these students.  It helps them realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel so long as they persevere,” said guest speaker Roberto A. Maciel.

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From left to right: Professor Denis Binder, Judge Elizabeth Macias, Diana Lopez, Jennifer Tran (JD ’15), Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez, Roberto A. Maciel, Jose Gonzalez, and Hugo Salazar (JD ’14)

The Diversity Day speakers included: Rosa Elena Sahagun (JD ’02), Civil Litigator and guest commentator on CCN Español; Judge Elizabeth Macias of the Superior Court of Orange County; Diana Lopez (JD ’09), President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County (OCHBA); Jose Gonzalez, former OCHBA President; Roberto A. Maciel, Partner at Law Offices of Maciel & Ayala; and Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez, Former Orange County Supervisor and Director of the Peace Corps. Hugo said, “All the students stayed and talked to the speakers. I can tell they made an impact on them.”

Diana Lopez said, “This event imprints on the minds of the youth who attend that they don’t have to be victims of their circumstances – whether raised in a low income household or facing any other adversity – they can rise above and dream big. This is an invaluable opportunity to reach youth and start a pipeline to the profession.”

Hugo and the MLSA President Elect, Jennifer Tran, are currently planning the 2015 Chapman Diversity Day. “We hope to extend the reach from Orange County to include students from Los Angeles County as well,” Hugo said.

The Minority Law Students Association exists to address the unique needs and concerns of minority law students, and to promote diversity within the Fowler School of Law community and legal profession in general. Specifically, MLSA seeks to develop, implement, and maintain programs to increase the recruitment, academic excellence and professional development of students of color at Fowler. MLSA fosters academic achievement, understanding of and respect for differences, and, ultimately, the development of future minority leadership.

Chapman University Diversity Outreach Day