Dean’s Initiative for Leadership and Scholarly Excellence Welcomes Second Cohort to Notre Dame Law School | News | The Law School

A group of professionals stands in front of the Golden Dome at Notre Dame. — *Second LSE cohort*

This summer marked the second year of the Leadership and Scholarly Excellence (LSE) program, which Dean G. Marcus Cole launched in 2025 to equip first-year law students for academic and professional success. The program took place during the two weeks before classes began, with the goal of providing foundational support for incoming J.D. students who may have had less exposure to the legal profession or who come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. The initiative offers mentorship and special guidance in academic and professional settings, as well as an immersive experience of classes with a small cohort of peers before the semester begins.

"Our goal with LSE is simple: we want our students' success at Notre Dame Law School and beyond to reflect their incredible journeys here and their future contributions to the legal profession, not how much they happened to be exposed to the legal profession before they arrived," said Professor Kristina Swanson, who serves as the faculty director of LSE. "The program is designed to provide the LSE cohort with tools, confidence, and a sense of belonging that will help them thrive from day one."

LSE encompasses four pillars: scholarly excellence, leadership and professionalism, support, and connection. Beyond the two week pre-orientation intensive, LSE furthers its goals with monthly follow-up programming for the cohort. The intensive immersion exposes students to both the academic expectations of the first-year curriculum and core competencies essential to success in law school. There are also exclusive monthly activities and programming on academic success, professional development, and leadership skills throughout the students’ first year of law school.

A man in a suit presents to students in a lecture hall during a pre-orientation program. — *Dean G. Marcus Cole welcomes the LSE cohort on the first day of the program*

This year, the cohort experienced sample lectures including Contracts with Dean Cole, Legal Writing with Professor Swanson, Property with Professor Julian Velasco, and Civil Procedure with Professor Haley Proctor. These mock classes allowed students an introduction to legal reading and writing and helped prepare them for the curriculum of a law student. Through various other panels, workshops, and individual meetings with previous LSE participants who are now mentors, the students also gained insight into career discernment in the legal field, wellness services, and academic and exam preparation tactics.

This combination of academic preparation, professional development, and mentorship equipped the second LSE cohort to enter the academic year with an understanding of what to expect from law school and a network of support that will continue throughout their first year.

Key Takeaways and Reflections from LSE Participants and Mentors

1L Ellys Sabet

A group of people stands in a semi-circle around a conference table. — *The LSE cohort pictured with Justice Brett Kavanaugh following a conversation and Q&A with the students*

“The LSE program was certainly one of the most enriching and enjoyable experiences I got to have the pleasure of participating in at the start of law school. We were afforded direct access to faculty and professors who gave us all meaningful guidance and advice, but we were also able to get to know them outside of the classroom, which helped break down any fear of approaching them and in showing us all how they are directly invested in your success as a student. Being able to meet a small cohort of other students who were just as excited and hopeful about the law school journey was incredibly supportive, as it really did serve as an early support system that has turned into many friendships that I know I'll rely on for the next three years, and beyond.”

1L Emma Nelson

“The LSE program invariably changed my experience at Notre Dame. Going to law school over 2,000 miles away from home, I nervously anticipated all of the new environments I would have to adjust to: educational, social, and physical. The variety of programming LSE provided equipped me with not only academic preparation strategies, but also a fantastic group of fast-friends, and a sense of familiarity with the university and its faculty that I was able to take into my first day confidently.”

1L Julio Salazar

“LSE set me up for success in my first two weeks of law school. I felt prepared, confident, and familiar which helped me settle into the busyness of NDLS. I also appreciated getting to know some professors before starting - thank you LSE!”

2L Isabella Fischer, Mentor

A speaker in a blue shirt gestures to a seated audience in a classroom with round tables. — *Christine Holst-Haley, director of student services, addresses the students at their first monthly meeting, a lunch with last year's LSE cohort*

“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with the new LSE cohort this year. They are bright, enthusiastic, and kind, and I am grateful to be able to welcome them to NDLS, make space for their questions, and support them through their law school journey, just as my mentor and the LSE program did for me last year.”

2L Kellen Whalum, Mentor

“My experience as an LSE mentor for the 2026-27 cohort has been wonderful. It was my ambition to transform my title from 'mentor' into 'friend', as friendship is such a crucial part of law school. The openness of this year's cohort has allowed that. LSE is a distinguished program that enables connections to be built that can only become stronger as the year progresses and I am so grateful to have been chosen to usher in some of the new students.”

2L Tyler Beamish, Mentor

“The best part of being a mentor is meeting the new cohort and seeing reflections of how far we (last year's cohort) have come since our time in the LSE program. As a mentor, you get asked a lot of the same questions we were asking last year, and being able to answer some of those questions is a full-circle moment. This year's cohort is an incredibly impressive group of individuals, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their law school experience!”