AASE Board of Directors Election
AASE members are encouraged to cast their vote for the 2026–2027 Board of Directors before voting closes.
Two important attendee resources are now available: complimentary shuttle service to campus and the AASE 2026 Scavenger Hunt.
Badged AASE conference attendees may use complimentary shuttle service between the Embassy Suites Host Hotel HQ and the UNLV campus drop-off point near Lied Library.
Use your passport book throughout the conference to collect stamps and signatures, earn raffle tickets, enter prize drawings, and connect with colleagues.
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154 (East of the Strip).
Campus Map
Turn
left and head East on Tropicana Avenue.
Turn
left on Maryland Parkway.
Travel
Southeast on Wayne Newton Boulevard.
Take
a slight left onto University Center Drive.
Turn
right on Tropicana Avenue.
Turn
left on Maryland Parkway.
The UNLV main campus has several designated pickup and drop-off locations for ride-shares and taxis. These locations are among the busiest on campus, making it more convenient and safer for everyone. The recommended locations closer to Boyd School of Law are the Lied Library or the Maryland/Maude Frazier Entrance.
For additional information, visit the Rideshare and Taxicab Pickup/Drop-off Locations.
William S. Boyd School of Law is honored to welcome the Association of Academic Support Educators to Las Vegas. Our campus, located just minutes from the Strip, offers a dynamic setting for learning and connection. We can’t wait to host you.
Learn More About Boyd Law
University of Miami School of Law
Dr. Alexis Martinez is the inaugural Associate Dean, Lawyering Excellence and Bar Success and Lecturer in Law. Working with the faculty and administration, Dr. Martinez focuses on developing a holistic approach supporting students throughout their legal education. She is the Chair of the Planning Committee this year.
Suffolk University Law School
Elizabeth “Liz” Stillman serves as the AASE President-elect, and serves as liaison to the Planning Committee. She was the Host School Representative last year, executing an excellent 12th Annual conference!
William S. Boyd School of Law
Raef J. Granger is the Assistant Professor in Residence and Assistant Director of the Academic Success Program at the William S. Boyd School of Law. He teaches the Performance Test for Bar & Practice course and coaches students in time management and stress resilience.
It has been a true pleasure working with his AASE colleagues on the Planning Committee, Social and Host “Day Of” Sub Committees. Outside of work, Raef enjoys tabletop gaming, music, teaching craps, and exploring new creative and wellness pursuits. He is energized by building community and supporting others in their growth and looks forward to connecting with you all here at the 13th Annual AASE Conference in Las Vegas.
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Diane Kraft is a Professor of the Practice and Director of the Academic Achievement Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she has been teaching since 2019. She works primarily with 1Ls and 2Ls on study skills, learning strategies, and written legal analysis.
In her free time, she likes most of all to read and write with her dog, Addie, by her side and a clear view of the mountains ahead. Diane is on the AASE Planning and Assessment Committees and is looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in Las Vegas!
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Chris Engel-Newman is Director of Bar Success and Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Chris graduated with a JD from the Sturm College of Law in 2015 and has worked in several roles in legal education, including Student Affairs, teaching in Externships, and Directing the Weekend JD Program at the Sturm College of Law.
From 2021 to 2023, Chris was the inaugural Assistant Clinical Professor for Bar Success at the University of Idaho College of Law, where he developed a bar success program for the institution. Since January 2024, Chris is thrilled to serve in the role at his alma mater.
Texas A&M University School of Law
Nicole Deutsch is an Associate Director of Academic Support at Texas A&M University School of Law. At Texas A&M, Nicole runs the 1L Academic Support program and helps students prepare for the bar exam. Prior to joining Texas A&M, Nicole earned her master’s degree in Special Education, worked as a teacher, and practiced law as an attorney.
She is enjoying being a part of the Planning Committee and the conference day subcommittee for the AASE conference in Las Vegas! She is looking forward to seeing everyone at the conference in May.
West Virginia University College of Law
Kasey Farris supports the work of West Virginia University College of Law's Academic Excellence Center in the areas of academic support; bar applications and bar passage; academic advising; writing skills; and assessment.
Kasey is a licensed attorney in Illinois and Missouri and worked with legislation and attorney discipline before moving to a current position in academic support as a program coordinator.
Indiana University McKinney School of Law
Jima Fahnbulleh JD, MPH serves as the Associate Director of Academic and Bar Success at Indiana University McKinney School of Law. In her role at McKinney, Jima focuses on enhancing Bar Success initiatives, specifically targeting support for repeat takers, ensuring that all students have the resources and guidance necessary to achieve their goals.
In her free time, Jima is happily married with 2 children, Isaiah and Maxine. She loves all things self-care and is super excited to be on this year’s planning committee for the AASE Conference in Las Vegas! She hopes you all are ready to relax (but also…it’s Vegas?!), feel seen, and connect with other esteemed ASP members!
Suffolk University Law School
Jen began a career in academic support after spending over a decade in big law and as in-house counsel to technology and advertising companies. She teaches upper-level bar prep classes at Suffolk and is a dog person who owns zero dogs and two cats.
Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Professor C. Benjie Louis teaches Academic Success and Bar Preparation courses and Lawyers’ Ethics. She previously directed the Disaster Recovery Law Clinic (DRLC), which provided assistance to individuals adversely affected by Superstorm Sandy and Hurricanes Irene and Lee.
Before joining Hofstra Law, Professor Louis taught clinical, skills, and seminar courses at Albany Law School. She previously served as a staff attorney at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, specializing in affordable housing issues, and at Chemung County Neighborhood Legal Services, where she represented individuals in housing, unemployment insurance, and Social Security disability matters.
Professor Louis's scholarly interests include clinical pedagogy, affordable housing, and andragogy. She is a former Co-President of the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA), former Chair of the Teaching Methodologies Committee of the AALS Clinical Section, Co-Chair of CLEA’s Best Practices Committee, and a member of the AASE Conference Planning Committee. She has presented nationally on clinical pedagogy and academic support.
Barry University Law
Naomi Hatton currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Academic Success and Bar Preparation at Barry University School of Law in Orlando, Florida. She previously held the role of Assistant Professor of Academic Success at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida. Naomi earned her B.S. in International Business, magna cum laude, from Rollins College in 2013 and her J.D., summa cum laude, from Ave Maria School of Law in 2017, where she was an Associate Editor of Law Review and Student Bar Association President. She is dedicated to supporting law students from orientation through the bar exam, focusing on strategies that promote academic achievement and professional success.
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Alyssa Dragnich is a Clinical Professor of Law and Director of Academic Success at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.
UC Irvine School of Law
Christine Francis is an Associate Director of Academic Skills at UC Irvine School of Law. At UCI Law, Christine works with law students throughout their law school journey, from orientation to sitting for the bar exam. She teaches 1L skills classes as well as 3L pre-bar prep classes. She has been on UCI’s EDI Committee since joining UCI in 2021 and has been on AASE’s Planning Committee for many years. She is excited for all the planning the committee has done so far and can’t wait to reconnect with everyone in Las Vegas.
University of Texas School of Law
Meg Clifford is the Director of Student Success at The University of Texas School of Law. She supports the academic transition to law school by highlighting best practices for studying, offers counseling to students who need support, and helps students navigate law school through passing the bar. A double Longhorn, Meg spent 10 years supervising law student volunteers delivering free legal services with the Mithoff Pro Bono Program at Texas Law. Prior to law school, she was a 5th grade teacher in The Bronx, New York. She loves podcasts, cooking, reading, and long walks and hikes with her dog Frankie.
Albany Law School
Michele H. Berger is an attorney and legal educator who is deeply committed to supporting law students in reaching their full professional potential. She is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Albany Law School, where she partners with students to build strong analytical skills, confidence, and resilience throughout their legal education. Michele is passionate about creating inclusive, practical programming that empowers students to thrive in law school and beyond. When she's not in the classroom, she's likely on the softball field or exploring another country!
University of Miami
Odetta Clarke serves as a Lecturer in Law and Associate Director of Academic Achievement at the University of Miami School of Law. She previously worked in research, regulatory compliance, and data privacy, which is to say, she has read a lot of fine print. She brings both analytical precision and student-centered care to her work. A proud 2012 Miami Law alum, Odetta arrived at UM after earning degrees from Columbia University, the University of Rochester, and the University of Michigan, and spending a year as a Fulbright Fellow in Dakar, Senegal. Fun fact: she once taught poetry workshops and presented her first academic paper on poetry translation in both French and English in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. She maintains that bios, like exams, should be concise and somewhat kind.
