More than 30 second- and third-year law students volunteered to be student-mentors to incoming law students in August. The student-mentors are part of the L.E.A.F.S. program, which stands for Leadership at Elon by Advising First-Year Students.
The mission of the L.E.A.F.S. new student orientation program is to serve as welcome ambassadors to first year law students at Elon University School of Law during the summer, as well as to serve as friends and mentors throughout the incoming students’ first year at Elon.
The goals of the L.E.A.F.S. Program are 1) to create a positive, supportive environment for new students; 2) to serve as role models who provide advice and support while easing uncertainties and reservations about the law school environment; 3) to meet with advisees on a regular basis during the mentor program and maintain a relationship throughout the year; and, 4) to provide a safe atmosphere to discuss problems and successes during the law school experience.
“I was really excited about the opportunity to meet the first-year students before the law school year officially began,” said Ali Boney, a second-year student participating as a L.E.A.F. “The student-mentor program is such a unique combination of both service and social activities. This great program truly distinguishes us from other law schools.”
The L.E.A.F.S. cut their summers short to help out with orientation week and welcome new students prior to the law school’s first day of classes. L.E.A.F.S. hosted a number of dinner events, assisted in law school success prep classes and held question and answer sessions for new law students.
“The L.E.A.F.S. have been so helpful,” said first-year student Ashley Poling. “All the L.E.A.F.S. have made me feel so welcome and assured all of us that we picked the right law school and that we are in very good company.”
Elon Law’s Student Bar Association President and Vice-president , Danny Lyon and Brian Hunt, are in charge of the L.E.A.F.S. program.
This year’s L.E.A.F.S are: Savannah Mangum, Tara Austin, Phil Clontz, Heather Deal, Nikki Catton, Simon O’Brien, Amanda Rice, Jill Kirschner, Matt White, Caitlin Kelly, Danielle Appelman, Chris White, Alex Walton, Jon Horner, Kathleen Stanton, Lien To, Melissa Westmoreland, Zach Unger, Allison Lukanich, Jennifer Matthews, Daniel Joyce, Amy Brodland, Ashley Hansen, Matt Kraus, Chris Avery, Kerry Andrews, Kristin Rice, Ali Boney, Andrea Davis, Mat Schantz, Danielle Miller, Gabe Zeller, Janet McIllwain, David Lewis, Laura Lee Gillenwater, Nathan Proctor, Tiffany Sexton, Clifton Neal, Danielle Kennedy, and Monique Johnson.
By Danielle Appelman, L’12