Diversity Scholar Recipients
Diversity Scholar Recipients
Encouraging diversity and inclusion within the field of ADR
INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Fund provides financial assistance of up to $2,000 to students or professionals. This support can be used towards:
· Degree program or fellowship in alternative dispute resolution
· Conference or training program in alternative dispute resolution
The goal is to empower diverse leaders and professionals in ADR by helping them access education and training opportunities that advance their careers and enhance inclusivity within the field.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAW STUDENTS AT HBCUs
The AAA-ICDR Foundation partners with law schools at two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) – Howard University and North Carolina Central University – that offer certificates in dispute resolution. Key details include:
· $50,000 awarded annually to each law school.
· Scholarships specifically for second- and third-year law students pursuing certificates in dispute resolution.
· Recipients are selected each year in September by the respective law schools
Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients
2023 Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients
Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients
Scholar
Sarah Shafik
Washington, D.C
School
Howard University Law School
My name is Sarah Shafik. I am a third-year law student at the Howard University School of Law. Before coming to law school, I went to Baruch College in Manhattan, where I majored in International Business and was heavily involved in student organizations on our campus. With that involvement came situations where I had to play a neutral role between students and administration and other situations where I advocated for students. This drive to always find solutions to problems led to my interest in a legal career. Coming into law school, I wanted to find my niche interest in the legal field that would resonate with my purpose, and that is where I found dispute resolution, specifically international arbitration. Since learning about different ADR methods and understanding their effectiveness, I have been heavily involved in our ADR yearlong programs at school and have taken ADR courses. I am still learning so much more about ADR and its exponential growth, and I am grateful to be at Howard with such prominent professors who are trailblazers in the field.
Grant Amount
$25,000
Scholar
Lee Williams
Washington, D.C
School
Howard University Law School
Lee Williams, a 3L at Howard University School of Law, was born and raised in New Jersey. He has lived in Washington, D.C., for over six years, attending Howard University for his undergraduate and legal studies.
Lee was inspired to attend law school because of his passion for justice and equity. He found that within the current legal landscape, having Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) skills is essential as an attorney looking to serve clients in need thoroughly.
As a student of Professor John Woods, a powerhouse in the ADR community, Lee developed ADR skills and learned how ADR impacts all aspects of practicing law. While external at the International Institute of Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) through Howard's ADR Consortium, Lee wrote about how ADR-based legislation and Supreme Court decisions affect public policy. Some of his writings were published in CPR's Alternatives, and he had the opportunity to attend Supreme Court oral arguments as a press member.
Lee will begin his legal career in the Washington, DC office of Reed Smith LLP, where he looks forward to utilizing his ADR skills as an attorney in the nation's capital.
Grant Amount
$25,000
Scholar
Katelyn Riddle
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
I am very interested in pursuing roles as an arbitrator. I am a FINRA arbitrator still awaiting my first case. I'd love to continue this career path and explore its intersection with privacy law.
Grant Amount
$10,000
Scholar
Ivey Foster
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
As I pursue my goal of becoming a family law and criminal law attorney, I am committed to leveraging my Dispute Resolution Certificate to excel in mediation hearings and develop effective negotiation strategies, particularly in child custody cases and plea deals. I believe that mastering these skills will enable me to make a meaningful impact for my clients.
Grant Amount
$20,000
Scholar
Sheila Rodriguez Padron
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
I plan to use my ADR certificate to better assist my clients in their estate planning and asset protection endeavors. In the future, I want to become a certified mediator or arbitrator so I can help people needing these services while going through the justice system. Overall, alternative dispute resolution courses should be a requirement of all law degree programs as these skills are transferable to any industry one finds herself in.
Grant Amount
$10,000
Scholar
Destiny Fulton
North Carolina
SCHOOL
North Carolina Central University Law School
My goal within the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution includes learning how to effectively consider interests and values of disputing parties, while navigating a healthy and open-minded process.
Grant Amount
$10,000
Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients
2023 Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients
Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients
Scholar
Sarah Shafik
Washington, D.C
School
Howard University Law School
My name is Sarah Shafik. I am a third-year law student at the Howard University School of Law. Before coming to law school, I went to Baruch College in Manhattan, where I majored in International Business and was heavily involved in student organizations on our campus. With that involvement came situations where I had to play a neutral role between students and administration and other situations where I advocated for students. This drive to always find solutions to problems led to my interest in a legal career. Coming into law school, I wanted to find my niche interest in the legal field that would resonate with my purpose, and that is where I found dispute resolution, specifically international arbitration. Since learning about different ADR methods and understanding their effectiveness, I have been heavily involved in our ADR yearlong programs at school and have taken ADR courses. I am still learning so much more about ADR and its exponential growth, and I am grateful to be at Howard with such prominent professors who are trailblazers in the field.
Grant Amount
$25,000
Scholar
Lee Williams
Washington, D.C
School
Howard University Law School
Lee Williams, a 3L at Howard University School of Law, was born and raised in New Jersey. He has lived in Washington, D.C., for over six years, attending Howard University for his undergraduate and legal studies.
Lee was inspired to attend law school because of his passion for justice and equity. He found that within the current legal landscape, having Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) skills is essential as an attorney looking to serve clients in need thoroughly.
As a student of Professor John Woods, a powerhouse in the ADR community, Lee developed ADR skills and learned how ADR impacts all aspects of practicing law. While external at the International Institute of Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) through Howard's ADR Consortium, Lee wrote about how ADR-based legislation and Supreme Court decisions affect public policy. Some of his writings were published in CPR's Alternatives, and he had the opportunity to attend Supreme Court oral arguments as a press member.
Lee will begin his legal career in the Washington, DC office of Reed Smith LLP, where he looks forward to utilizing his ADR skills as an attorney in the nation's capital.
Grant Amount
$25,000
Scholar
Katelyn Riddle
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
I am very interested in pursuing roles as an arbitrator. I am a FINRA arbitrator still awaiting my first case. I'd love to continue this career path and explore its intersection with privacy law.
Grant Amount
$10,000
Scholar
Ivey Foster
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
As I pursue my goal of becoming a family law and criminal law attorney, I am committed to leveraging my Dispute Resolution Certificate to excel in mediation hearings and develop effective negotiation strategies, particularly in child custody cases and plea deals. I believe that mastering these skills will enable me to make a meaningful impact for my clients.
Grant Amount
$20,000
Scholar
Sheila Rodriguez Padron
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
I plan to use my ADR certificate to better assist my clients in their estate planning and asset protection endeavors. In the future, I want to become a certified mediator or arbitrator so I can help people needing these services while going through the justice system. Overall, alternative dispute resolution courses should be a requirement of all law degree programs as these skills are transferable to any industry one finds herself in.
Grant Amount
$10,000
Scholar
Destiny Fulton
North Carolina
School
North Carolina Central University Law School
My goal within the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution includes learning how to effectively consider interests and values of disputing parties, while navigating a healthy and open-minded process.
Grant Amount
$10,000
