CHICAGO, May 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The John Marshall Law School in Chicago has named Troy Riddle as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. At a time when institutions around the country are dealing with questions of racial equality, Riddle's appointment affirms John Marshall's longstanding commitment to legal diversity.
In addition to working with faculty, students and staff to promote a diverse, inclusive and welcoming culture at John Marshall, Riddle will develop programs to assess and promote diversity and inclusiveness at the school. His work will support existing and new measures that attract, recruit and retain students, staff and faculty from diverse ethnic, cultural, social and socioeconomic backgrounds.
"Working in a city like Chicago, where racial tensions can sometimes run high, it is more important than ever to make sure our students, staff and faculty feel equal and included, regardless of their gender, race or anything else," Riddle said.
Riddle began working at John Marshall in 2013 as the director of diversity and outreach. He was later named the law school's Title XI coordinator. Riddle previously served as assistant dean and multicultural affairs officer for Widener University School of Law and as assistant director for Diversity Initiatives at the Law School Admission Council.
Founded in 1899, John Marshall was an early pioneer in opening its doors and admitting minorities, women and immigrants. The law school graduated its first female student, Jessie Cook, in 1903; its first African-American student, James Randle, in 1904 and its first Hispanic student, William E. Rodriguez, in 1912. Today, with more than 34 percent of the student body at John Marshall composed of minority students, the law school's student body is one of the most diversified in the nation according to preLaw Magazine. Of the 1,032 students currently enrolled in the law school's J.D. program, 353 identify as African American, Asian, Hispanic and other diverse backgrounds. The numbers reflect John Marshall's longstanding mission to encourage minority and under-represented students to pursue a career in the law.
John Marshall's community is made up of more than 50 student organizations that represent the diverse interests and pursuits of the student body. These organizations include the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Latino Law Students Association and Middle Eastern Law Students Association. Student leaders from many of these organizations comprise the Multicultural Leadership Council, which works to ensure that John Marshall remains at the forefront of diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the Academic Enhancement Program, developed by the Latino Law Students Association and run by the Office of Diversity Affairs, offers students a forum for course review through weekly assessments and practice exams.
About The John Marshall Law School
The John Marshall Law School, founded in 1899, is an independent law school located in the heart of Chicago's legal, financial and commercial districts. The 2017U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools ranks John Marshall's Lawyering Skills Program 5th, its Trial Advocacy Program 19th and its Intellectual Property Law Program 21st in the nation. Since its inception, John Marshall has been a pioneer in legal education and has been guided by a tradition of diversity, innovation, access and opportunity.