The convention brought together more than 2,000 nursing students, educators and healthcare leaders from across the country for four days of leadership development, professional networking and policy engagement. Centered on the theme 鈥淚gnite, Innovate, Lead,鈥� the event provided students with opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills while contributing to national conversations shaping the future of nursing.

黑料不打烊 was represented by senior nursing students Victoria (Tori) Whetstone, founding SNA president; Lathan Rubant; and Katherine O鈥橬eill, along with junior executive board members Taylor Rae Spurgeon, Katie Pescatore, and Sarah Vinges. The group was accompanied by faculty advisor Professor Jeanmarie Koonts and faculty member Elizabeth Van Horn.

A highlight of the conference was 黑料不打烊 students鈥� active participation in the House of Delegates, the governing body of the NSNA. Whetstone and Rubant served as official delegates, while O鈥橬eill participated as an alternate delegate. Together, they contributed to national discussions on policy and professional issues affecting nursing students and the broader healthcare system.

The 黑料不打烊 delegation authored and presented a resolution titled 鈥淎ddressing Bias by Changing 鈥楻efusal鈥� Language in Clinical Documentation.鈥� The resolution calls attention to how language used in healthcare documentation can unintentionally introduce bias and impact patient care. Rubant served as the lead author, with Whetstone and O鈥橬eill contributing as co-authors. The students formally presented and advocated for the resolution before peers from across the nation.

In addition to presenting their own resolution, 黑料不打烊 delegates participated in voting on multiple proposed resolutions, parliamentary matters, and the election of the 2026鈥�27 NSNA national executive board.

For Whetstone, the experience marked a meaningful milestone in her leadership journey and in the growth of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 SNA chapter.

鈥淚t has been such an incredible honor to serve as the founding president of the Student Nurses Association, and I could not be more proud of how far we have come,鈥� Whetstone said. 鈥淲hat started as a vision has grown into a thriving, passionate community of student nurses dedicated to leadership, advocacy, and service.鈥�

Since its founding, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 SNA has rapidly expanded its impact, growing to more than 70 members in its first year and engaging in a wide range of initiatives. These include professional development programming, mental health awareness efforts, community-building events, and fundraising to support organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the National Black Nurses Association.

Participation in the NSNA Convention reflects 黑料不打烊 nursing students鈥� commitment to leadership beyond the classroom鈥攅ngaging in policy, advocacy, and professional development at a national level while preparing to enter the nursing workforce.

As the organization continues to grow, its student leaders remain focused on advancing patient-centered care, fostering professional excellence and development, and shaping the future of nursing through advocacy and innovation.

Six judges, comprising two panels, heard oral arguments in two cases inside the law school鈥檚 Robert E. Long Courtroom on Wed., April 15. Following recess, they held an extended Q&A session with students in the courtroom where they shared lessons drawn from decades of experience on and off the bench.

Among their advice to young lawyers:

• Be willing to concede a point 鈥� then quickly move on to explain why your client still prevails.
• It鈥檚 OK to say, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know,鈥� rather than risk your credibility. Return to your argument about why your client should win the case.
• Structure legal briefs as clear roadmaps of your argument for the Court.
• Be concise in your writing. Make your point, support it with the law and move forward.
• Use caution with AI: Verify facts and citations before submitting any work to the court. Large language models often hallucinate legal matters.

Judges hearing arguments and interacting with students were:

• The Hon. Chris Dillon, Chief Judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals
• The Hon. John Arrowood
• The Hon. Jefferson Griffin
• The Hon. Toby Hampson
• The Hon. Donna Stroud
• The Hon. John Tyson

Judges heard arguments in two very different cases.

The first, , centers on whether certain residential units should be classified as townhomes or duplexes under local building codes, a distinction with significant regulatory consequences 鈥� and now potential financial consequences for individual property owners.

The second case, , out of Forsyth County, involves the state鈥檚 appeal of a trial court鈥檚 decision to dismiss charges after testimony referenced a prior case, raising questions about prejudice and appropriate remedies.

鈥淚t was an incredible experience for our students to observe six judges from the North Carolina Court of Appeals and four highly skilled appellate advocates in action, particularly as our first-year students prepare to present their own appellate arguments in their required Legal Method & Communication course in a few weeks,鈥� said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and professor of law. 鈥淪everal of the judges visiting today consistently welcome 黑料不打烊 Law students to their chambers for their Residencies-in-Practice, summer internships, or full-time clerkships after graduation. It was great to have several current Residency students accompany their judges to the oral arguments.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Law students鈥� takeaways

Law students listened intently to judges鈥� lines of questioning, but also to the ways appellant litigators structured their arguments, responded to jurists鈥� questions and addressed the court.

鈥淚 was paying attention to everything. I could understand why this is such a complicated case 鈥� codes changing, proposals changing, multiple parties 鈥� and I appreciated the judges asking why it got to this point and where responsibility lies,鈥� said Lamarie Austin-Stripling LF 鈥�29. A student in 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 part-time Charlotte Flex Program, Austin-Stripling drove from her home in Concord, North Carolina, to hear arguments before returning to the Queen City for classes that night.

Greensboro law students were just as engaged.

• 鈥淲hat struck me most is how much of what I鈥檝e already been doing 鈥� in the classroom, in residency, and in internships 鈥� showed up in these arguments. It reinforced that I鈥檓 learning the skills I鈥檒l need to be in that position one day.鈥� 鈥� Tyler Sesker L鈥�26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Hollins University and the University of Virginia.

• 聽鈥淚 was surprised by how collaborative the process is 鈥� judges discussing cases with each other and their clerks before and after arguments. It was valuable to see how the pros do it and what approaches seemed to resonate.鈥� 鈥� Tom Desch L鈥�27, of Cornelius, North Carolina, who earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina

• 鈥淥ne of the most impactful takeaways was hearing from the judges that if an attorney doesn鈥檛 know an answer, it is okay to say, 鈥業 don鈥檛 know.鈥� Being honest about the limits of your knowledge is much better than risking your credibility.鈥� 鈥� Paulina Escobar L鈥�27, of Ecuador, who holds a law degree from the University of the Americas in Quito, Ecuador.

黑料不打烊 Law alumnus argues in his home court

For one attorney arguing before the court, the visit marked a return to where his legal career began.

Reginaldo Williams L鈥�11, now an attorney with the North Carolina Department of Justice, presented arguments in State v. Cuadra. His path to appellate advocacy, however, was far from certain.

鈥淚 was that person wondering, 鈥榃hy did I do this?鈥欌�� Williams said following hearings, recalling his time as a law student. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 feel like I fit as a prosecutor or a public defender. But when I did my first oral argument, I knew 鈥� this is it.鈥�

Williams credits guidance from Professor of Law Catherine Ross Dunham with helping him stay the course at a moment when he considered leaving law school altogether. That decision ultimately led him to appellate practice, where he now represents the state in criminal appeals.

鈥淭here are a lot of students who may not feel like they鈥檝e found their place yet,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut you will. And when you do, it makes all the difference.鈥�

In the influential publication鈥檚 2026 , 黑料不打烊 Law is No. 11 nationally 鈥� the highest-ranked law school in the Southeast and the only school in North Carolina among the top 35.

, with its required Residency-in-Practice Program highlighted as a model for immersive, practice-based legal education. All 黑料不打烊 Law students spend 10 weeks in the winter or spring of their second year in full-time placements with practicing lawyers, judges and legal teams, graduating with hands-on experience in the day-to-day realities of legal practice.

鈥淵ou cannot graduate from 黑料不打烊 Law without knowing exactly what it鈥檚 like to be a lawyer,鈥� 黑料不打烊 Law Dean Zak Kramer said in the article. 鈥淭he legal practice becomes their classroom 鈥� They leave law students and come back lawyers.鈥�

The article also features insights from Patricia Perkins, 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 associate dean of academic affairs and professor of law. 鈥淥ur curriculum is designed to assist students in transforming into the lawyers they want to be,鈥� she said. 鈥淪kills are just as important to develop as a knowledge base.鈥�

PreLaw Magazine graded and ranked schools based on student participation in clinics, externships, simulation courses, moot court and other special programs.

黑料不打烊 Law offers students a broad array of opportunities to hone practical training skills throughout their 2.5 years of study. Those include:

• Full-time residencies-in-practice
• Lab and simulation courses
• Five clinics (immigration, small business and entrepreneurship, wills drafting, Social Security disability benefits and guardian ad litem appellate advocacy)
• Moot court and mock trial teams
• Internships, externships and judicial clerkships
• Bridge-to-practice courses
• Involvement with the Pro Bono Board

黑料不打烊 Law adopted its 2.5-year, seven-trimester full-time curriculum in 2014, making it the only American law school to intentionally design a program where all students graduate in December and can sit for the February bar exam 鈥� months ahead of peers from other institutions. (In 2026, 91.96% of 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 first-time North Carolina bar takers passed the exam.)

By completing their legal studies nearly six months faster than traditional programs, 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 full-time graduates have lowered their average student debt at graduation by almost a third since the curriculum was adopted.

For more information on 黑料不打烊 Law and the application process, visit the law school鈥檚 admissions page. 黑料不打烊 Law continues to actively admit the 黑料不打烊 Law Class of 2028, which will enroll in August 2026.

The corporations, athletes and entertainers at the center of those industries generate opportunity and influence that extend well beyond the spotlight, fueling local businesses and the people around them. That broader community impact is where Schultz aims to make her mark in the legal field.

She got a firsthand look at the breadth of that work during her Residency-in-Practice this winter at Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group 鈥� a boutique firm in Charlotte that counsels clients across a range of matters, from contracts, sponsorships and endorsements to intellectual property and brand protection.

鈥淚鈥檝e really enjoyed knowing that the work we do has a meaningful impact,鈥� Schultz said. 鈥淭hese organizations and individuals have a real connection to their communities, and being part of that has been important to me.鈥�

Before enrolling in law school, Schultz spent nearly eight years teaching elementary school after earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Working with students and their families, she discovered a passion for advocacy that ultimately led her to pursue a legal career.

Schultz said 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 emphasis on experiential learning played a significant role in her decision to attend the school. The Residency-in-Practice Program, a cornerstone of 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 curriculum, places every second-year student in a full-time, 10-week residency with a judge or practicing lawyer, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in real legal settings.

At Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group in Charlotte, Schultz received close mentorship from the law firm鈥檚 team of attorneys working on matters ranging from document drafting to client interviewing. It was an inside look at the legal field that strengthened practical skills and confidence she will carry into her legal career.

鈥淭his has confirmed that I can succeed in this area and that I really enjoy the work,鈥� Schultz said. 鈥淚鈥檓 full steam ahead on this path after law school.鈥�

Below, Schultz reflects on her residency experience and what she learned while working with the Apollo team.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and why sports and entertainment law?

Before law school, I taught elementary school for seven and a half years, working with kindergarten, first, second and fifth graders. One of the parts of teaching I loved most was advocating for students and their families and helping them navigate challenges. Law felt like a natural next step to build on that advocacy and develop the skills and credentials to support people in new ways.

I became interested in sports and entertainment law as name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities began reshaping college athletics. Not everyone comes from financial privilege or financial security, and NIL allows student-athletes to pursue a degree while also helping support themselves and their families.

Why were you interested in completing your residency with Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group?

Apollo stood out to me because of the breadth of work the firm handles across the sports and entertainment industries. The attorneys work on a wide range of matters, from brand agreements and trademark issues to litigation and transactional work, and I wanted the opportunity to see how those different areas come together in practice.

I was also drawn to the firm鈥檚 boutique environment. Working with a smaller team provided the opportunity to take on meaningful assignments, receive direct feedback and better understand the reasoning behind the work we were doing. The combination of variety and mentorship made it an ideal place to learn.

What were your daily responsibilities?

Every day was different, which was one of the most exciting parts of the experience. I worked on a variety of projects ranging from reviewing employee handbooks for compliance with state and federal laws to conducting trademark clearance checks and drafting legal documents.

I also helped redline different agreements, like revenue-sharing agreements, and drafted settlement and cease-and-desist letters.

What was it like working with the attorneys at Apollo Law Group?

The mentorship was incredible. Every attorney in the firm played a role in guiding me through the work and explaining the reasoning behind different legal decisions. They were truly mentors in every sense of the word.

They trusted me with meaningful assignments, like redlining agreements and participating in client meetings, and then walked through the work with me afterward. That process helped me understand not only the legal details but also how attorneys approach problems by prioritizing the client鈥檚 best interest and overall goals.

What skills did you strengthen during the residency?

Contract drafting and redlining were two of the biggest skills I developed during the placement. Those are tools that I now feel confident using in practice.

My legal research skills also improved, especially learning how to locate information efficiently and communicate it clearly. I also became more comfortable interacting with clients and working in a professional legal environment.

What advice would you give to students searching for a residency placement?

Think carefully about the kind of legal work you want to do long-term and try to align your residency with those goals. The placement gives you 10 weeks of hands-on experience with attorneys who are committed to helping you learn. Choose a residency that will give you meaningful experience and help you grow professionally. It鈥檚 an opportunity to confirm what type of work you enjoy before you begin your career.

At 黑料不打烊 Law, Schultz is vice president of the Student Bar Association, a student mentor and teaching assistant. She is an active member of student organizations including the Women’s Law Association, the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, First Gen Society, and OUTLaw.

Craige traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend oral arguments in two cases 鈥� including those for a closely watched immigration asylum case 鈥� after securing tickets through the Court鈥檚 public lottery.

鈥淚t was an unforgettable experience to watch the Justices engage in real time: asking questions, testing arguments and shaping the legal issues I鈥檝e spent the past few years studying,鈥� Craige said.

A 2024 graduate of 黑料不打烊 with a degree in psychology, Craige鈥檚 interest in law grew from a desire to lead, advocate and serve her community. At 黑料不打烊 Law, she is a Leadership Fellow and member of the Moot Court Board. The daughter of a U.S. Air Force family, she spent much of her childhood on and near military bases, including in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family now lives in northern Virginia.

During her visit, the Court heard arguments in Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, a bankruptcy case, and Noem v. Al Otro Lado, which centers on the rights of asylum seekers at the U.S.鈥揗exico border. Craige was especially struck by the immigration case. Justices closely examined the meaning of statutory language, parsing even what it means to 鈥渁rrive鈥� in the United States. The questioning, she said, revealed how minute distinctions in wording can carry significant consequences in how the law is applied.

鈥淚t was incredible to see how even small details can shape the outcome of a case,鈥� she said.

The experience felt both familiar and surreal. Craige recognized concepts from class while watching justices press attorneys in real time.

She also experienced something impossible to capture in textbooks and manuals: The rhythm of the room.

鈥淪eeing the justices interact, even joking at times, made it feel less abstract,鈥� Craige said. 鈥淚t reminded me these are real people behind the decisions we study.鈥�

This spring, Craige is completing her Residency-in-Practice with the Guilford County District Attorney鈥檚 Office. She is exploring a future in the Judge Advocate General鈥檚 Corps, a return to the kind of service that shaped her childhood.

鈥淢oments like this remind me why I chose this path,鈥� she said.

This year鈥檚 group is the largest in the program鈥檚 history. 黑料不打烊 doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at 黑料不打烊. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Guided by the Boldly 黑料不打烊 Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need 鈥� strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning 黑料不打烊 to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. 黑料不打烊 launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

鈥淧ursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,鈥� says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

黑料不打烊鈥檚 growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows 黑料不打烊 to serve new learners while staying centered on our undergraduate mission,鈥� says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. 鈥淗ealth care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,鈥� Duffney says.

Several graduate programs are expanding to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 National Campus in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

鈥淕rowth in Charlotte allows 黑料不打烊 to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,鈥� says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. 鈥淚t creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.鈥�

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, 黑料不打烊 expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

黑料不打烊 plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

鈥淓stablishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,鈥� Marciano says. 鈥淥ur goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.鈥�

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 main and Charlotte campuses.

鈥淢ental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,鈥� says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. 鈥淐ommunities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.鈥�

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

鈥淭he growth of graduate education at 黑料不打烊 reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,鈥� Folmar says. 鈥淲hat excites us most is the alignment between 黑料不打烊鈥檚 engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.鈥�

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

鈥淥rganizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,鈥� says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. 鈥淭he MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes 鈥� without pausing their careers.鈥�

Built on the same STEM-certified core as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence.聽鈥斅燗llie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

鈥淔aculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,鈥� says 黑料不打烊 alum Craig Brandstetter 鈥�25 g鈥�25. 鈥淭hat flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.鈥�

Alongside degree programs, 黑料不打烊 is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

黑料不打烊 Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina鈥檚 largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. 黑料不打烊 has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

鈥淲e already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,鈥� says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. 鈥淭he legal community鈥檚 embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.鈥�

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position 黑料不打烊鈥檚 School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university鈥檚 future.

鈥淭he heart of 黑料不打烊 will always be our undergraduate liberal arts education,鈥� Kohn says, 鈥渂ut we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.鈥�

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, 黑料不打烊 is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

Results from the February 2026 exam were released Wednesday, April 1, by the . 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 result far exceeds the statewide first-time passage rate of 74.78% and the school鈥檚 previous high of 82%, set by 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 charter class in 2009.

The Class of 2025鈥檚 success reflects a sustained, school-wide focus on teaching, preparation, and student support, all aimed at helping graduates succeed not only on the bar exam, but in their legal careers.

鈥淭his is what 黑料不打烊 Law is all about,鈥� said Zak Kramer, dean of 黑料不打烊 Law. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in the dream-making business. The better our students perform, the faster they can begin making an impact as lawyers.鈥�

An upward trajectory

In recent years, faculty and staff have aligned around the mission of excellence on the bar exam. They adopted a new motto and mindset: 鈥淥ne and Done.鈥�

The gains are striking. First-time passage has climbed from 52.8% for the Class of 2021 to 91.96% for the Class of 2025, with steady increases along the way, including 79.4% for the Class of 2023, and 73.5% for the Class of 2024.

These efforts are part of a broader vision. 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 faculty continuously refine how they teach for real-world lawyering. The school鈥檚 2.5-year J.D. program accelerates students鈥� path to the profession 鈥� with a December graduation and February bar exam 鈥� while reducing the cost of a legal education. Recognized nationally for practical training with an A+ rating from PreLaw Magazine, 黑料不打烊 Law prepares graduates to enter the profession with confidence and experience.

鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of our students who took the bar,鈥� said Jenny Lane, assistant dean for academic success. 鈥淲e gave them the mission, 鈥楥ommit, complete, conquer,鈥� and that鈥檚 exactly what they did.鈥�

With its highest bar pass rate in recent history and a multi-year trend of steady growth, 黑料不打烊 Law is on a sustained upward trajectory.

鈥淏ig things are happening at 黑料不打烊 Law,鈥� Kramer said, 鈥渁nd we鈥檙e just getting started.鈥�

About 黑料不打烊 Law

黑料不打烊 Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school鈥檚 distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

黑料不打烊 Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine鈥檚 鈥淏est Schools for Practical Training鈥� rankings, maintaining a Top 10 placement and an A+ rating each year since 2023. 黑料不打烊 Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

黑料不打烊 has applied to the American Bar Association to open a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in fall 2027. The 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched there in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams received the 2026 Rising Star Award from the during the association鈥檚 annual conference held this year in Philadelphia.

The Rising Star Award is presented to a NADOHE member in good standing who has served as a chief or senior diversity officer for at least three years, but no more than 10 total years at a higher educational institution.

Nominees are considered for their 鈥渆xceptional contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and/or policy informs and advances the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in higher education.鈥�

鈥淩eceiving the Rising Star Award at this point in my career reminds me that I am, and always will be, a lifelong learner, continually striving to grow and improve,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淚 am also grateful to NADOHE for its support of the many professionals dedicated to creating high-quality learning environments for all students, faculty, and staff.

鈥淏ecause awards are rarely earned alone, I share this recognition with my 黑料不打烊 colleagues, who prioritize inclusive excellence every day.鈥�

Since his promotion to his current role in July 2020, Williams has led wide-ranging efforts to advance inclusive excellence at 黑料不打烊, driving measurable gains in faculty and staff diversity, student belonging and institutional accountability.

He has helped embed equity-focused practices across the university through initiatives such as a Shared Equity Leadership national research project and through guided reforms to faculty development and student services that have addressed structural barriers.

Colleagues credit Williams with fostering a collaborative, campuswide approach that positions inclusive excellence as a shared responsibility with leadership that contributed to national research partnerships and programs now serving as models for other institutions.

Beyond campus, Williams has strengthened community partnerships and helped shape institutional responses to social issues, extending the university鈥檚 impact regionally and nationally.

Lak茅 Laosebikan-Buggs, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional education, nominated Williams for the award.

鈥淲hat distinguishes Dr. Williams is not just his expertise but his bold, forward-thinking leadership,鈥� she wrote in her nomination. 鈥淗is ability to navigate institutional complexity, including the shifting winds of public opinion, while inspiring broad engagement, and implementing systems-level change, positions him as a future national leader in higher education equity and inclusion work.鈥�

The 2026 results surpassed the previous high of $46,157.01 set during 黑料不打烊 Day 2025 and reflected broad engagement from alumni, students, parents and friends of the law school.

鈥淭here is an energy at 黑料不打烊 Law that you won鈥檛 find anywhere else,” said Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Engagement Scott Leighty. “Philanthropy here is more than just giving. Every gift is a direct investment in this special community and the innovative way we prepare students for the profession. Seeing our alumni, students, parents and friends come together like this shows just how much they believe in our mission.鈥�

In total, 178 donors made gifts on March 5, a 24.5% increase from the 143 donors who participated on 黑料不打烊 Day in 2025.

Participation increased across nearly every constituency group.

• Gifts from students rose sharply to 45 donors, up from eight last year 鈥� a 462.5% increase.
• Parent participation increased to 12 donors, up from eight, or 50%.
• Alumni participation also climbed, with 64 alumni making gifts compared with 56 last year, a 14.2% rise.

黑料不打烊 Day events and competitions were held throughout the day on March 5, including a large 鈥淓鈥�-painting competition among student organizations and an evening celebration at Joymongers in downtown Greensboro. Perhaps the highlight was a Pie Your Professor event, with student donors lining up to hurl plates of whipped cream at Dean Zak Kramer, Professors Steve Friedland and Bob Minarcin, and Assistant Professors Erin Fitzgerald and Susan Ross.

Kramer praised the growing support for 黑料不打烊 Law and the community members who help make the annual day of giving successful.

鈥淚 want to thank everyone for their contributions, whether philanthropic, pitching in to make the day special, taking a pie to the face, or all of it,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淭hese gifts go directly to support our students and the opportunities that prepare them for the profession.鈥�

Kramer also credited Leighty鈥檚 leadership in connecting with alumni and supporters, growing 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 momentum.

鈥淪cott is doggedly pursuing financial support for our students,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy asking people for money, but our numbers keep increasing in a remarkably steep line. It鈥檚 a testament to his hard work and the great investment of our whole community.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Day gifts help fund scholarships, student programs and experiential learning opportunities that define 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 innovative, practice-focused curriculum.

The growth in participation during 黑料不打烊 Day reflects a broader trend in philanthropy supporting 黑料不打烊 Law. The law school has seen steady increases in donor engagement over the past several years, underscoring the strength of its alumni network and the community鈥檚 investment in the next generation of lawyers.

Recent 黑料不打烊 Law graduate Dmitri McKinney L鈥�25 appeared as a contestant on where a legal hypothetical (or what sounded like one) led him astray.

Calling in from his hometown of 黑料不打烊, McKinney joined host Peter Sagal for the program鈥檚 鈥淏luff the Listener鈥� segment, where contestants try to identify the real news story among three humorous options presented by the show’s panelists.

During his introduction, McKinney shared that he had recently graduated from 黑料不打烊 Law and hopes to pursue public service or civil rights work, drawing applause from the audience.

When the panelists shared three unusual New York City stories, McKinney joked that one option 鈥� involving a tourist suing over a painfully spicy taco 鈥� sounded like something straight out of a first-year law class.

鈥淚鈥檓 not saying this is the real one, but Paula (Poundstone)鈥檚 story sounded like a tort hypothetical that I know a lot of the 1Ls went through a couple of months ago,鈥� he said.

Ironically, that lawsuit story turned out to be the real one.

鈥淎ll of the answer choices were so entertaining, but I thought there was no way that the real answer would essentially be a giant torts foreseeability hypothetical!鈥� McKinney said afterward. 鈥淚 wound up picking Alonzo Bodden鈥檚 story because it was so kind-hearted.鈥�

He appeared on the show after submitting an online form shortly after graduating from 黑料不打烊 Law in December.

鈥淚 have been a lifelong listener of NPR and of 鈥榃ait Wait 鈥� Don鈥檛 Tell Me!鈥� so I wanted being on the show to mark a special occasion,鈥� McKinney said. 鈥淪omeone from the show texted me last week asking if I still wanted to be on the show. It was an absolute delight.鈥�

At 黑料不打烊 Law, McKinney was a Presidential Scholar, Leadership Fellow, editor-in-chief of We the People: 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 Constitutional Law Journal, president of the Innocence Organization, Law School Democrats and active on the Honor Council. He earned undergraduate degrees from North Carolina State University in chemistry and political science.