
More than 30 Tulsa-area high school students participated in The University of Tulsa College of Law’s Judge Carlos Chappelle Minority Law Awareness Day (MLAD) in February 2018. Sponsored by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) as part of its Diversity Matters Initiative, the annual event provides students with the opportunity to meet with and learn from legal professionals and TU Law students.
“MLAD offers high school students a chance to experience what it is like to be on a law school campus, mingle with legal professionals, visit with a judge and tour a law firm,” said Eruore Oboh, admission counselor and diversity outreach coordinator for the TU College of Law. “The day is organized to showcase, in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, the journey of a legal professional from education all the way to judgeship. MLAD is also a chance for the law school to connect with local high school students and foster relationships so they may look to us for resources to begin and thrive in the field of law.”
Law Professor Johnny Parker began the day with opening remarks. The students were then treated to a presentation by TU Law alumna and immigration attorney with Fry & Elder, Lorena Rivas. Rivas is dedicated to helping minority teens overcome personal and societal obstacles that may get in the way of pursuing educational and employment goals. As a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Mexico, Rivas has worked to serve and represent her Latino community and family as a community leader and role model.
Students also participated in a mock negotiation conducted by TU Law’s Black Law Student Association, toured the Tulsa County Courthouse meeting with Judge Sharon Holmes and shared lunch with legal professionals in TU’s Allen Chapman Student Union Great Hall.
Participating schools included Booker T. Washington High School, McLain High School for Science and Technology and Union High School.
2018 MLAD volunteers included law students and the following:
Professionals:
- Andrea Kulsrud, manager of contract administration and negotiation, ONEOK
- Christine Umeh, attorney, Still She Rises in Tulsa
- Christy Caves, associate dean and director of TU Law’s Professional Development Dept.
- Elizabeth McCormick, TU law professor and director of the Immigrant Rights Project

- Jacqueline Higgs Caldwell, vice president for diversity and engagement and director of the TU Presidential Scholars Program
- Kaushiki Chowdhury, attorney, Still She Rises in Tulsa
- Kevinn Matthews, attorney for health and safety at WPX Energy
- Mimi Marton, TU law professor and director of TU’s Tulsa Immigrant Resource Network
- Rachel E. Gusman, junior partner with Graves McLain
Students:
- Aisosa Arhunmwunde, 2L
- Cordal Cephas, 2L
- Courtney Nelbach, 3L
- Janay Clougherty, 3L
- Jazzmin Wilson, 2L
- Jose Gonzalez, 2L
- Lashandra Peoples-Johnson, 2L
- MaryJoy Chuba, 1/2L
- Pierre Robertson, 1L
- Robert McClendon, 2L
- Sofia Miranda, 1L
- Stephanie Jackson, 3L
High School Counselors and Administrators:
- Amber Meadors-Fouda, business and technology instructor, McLain High School
Amanda Howell, Union Career Connect
- Angela Jones, counselor, Booker T. Washington High School
- Darick C. Morton, dean of students, McLain High School
- Shelley Kerr, counseling secretary, Booker T. Washington
The event is named for The Honorable Judge Carlos Chappelle who was the presiding judge for the 14th District Court in Tulsa County and was the first African American to hold this position.
TU Law shares LSAC’s commitment to increasing diversity in the legal profession by providing guidance and encouragement to high school students in hopes that they will consider attending law school and pursue a career in law.
TU Law’s next event is The Judge Carlos Chappelle Pathway to Law Academy scheduled for Friday, March 30, 2018.