Through the work accomplished in various committees, we are able to fulfill AASE’s mission to provide broad support to our members, encouraging those working in academic support to fully grow and develop professionally.
Get involved in an area of interest by joining a committee! You'll have an opportunity to contribute to our larger community in a meaningful way, perhaps learn something new, and work with a great group of academic support educators in the process.
Mission: The Assessment Committee fosters a culture of continuous improvement in academic support by identifying, communicating, and promoting research-based best practices in assessment. Consistent with AASE’s mission, the
committee acknowledges the crucial role of evidence-based assessment in promoting professional and programmatic excellence.
Responsibilities
Develop Research-Based Assessments
Create and disseminate periodic national surveys or other tools that evaluate academic success and identify current trends in academic support.
Ensure that all assessment instruments adhere to research-based standards and methods.
Analyze and Share Data
Collect data from surveys and assessments on best practices, program effectiveness, and student outcomes.
Provide summaries, reports, or presentations to AASE members and other stakeholders to encourage data-driven decision-making.
Promote Dialogue on Assessment
Offer forums, workshops, and discussion groups for members to exchange insights on student learning, program development, and teaching evaluations.
Facilitate opportunities to collaborate on shared challenges or research questions in assessment.
Showcase Outstanding Practices
Recognize and highlight exemplary assessment projects or methodologies within AASE.
Encourage members to share success stories, innovations, and evidence-based strategies. Collect and catalog for the purpose of sharing with members.
Centralize Assessment Resources
Maintain a repository of research, tools, and case studies related to effective assessment in legal education.
Ensure resources are accessible and regularly updated for AASE members.
Strategic Planning
Develop short- and long-term assessment strategies aligning with AASE’s goals.
Periodically review and refine the committee’s objectives based on emerging data, new research, and feedback from the membership.
Mission: The Bar Advocacy Committee represents AASE’s expertise on matters of bar admission and licensure to the broader legal, academic, and professional communities. Aligned with AASE’s mission, the committee advocates for
fair, transparent, and evidence-based licensure practices that serve the needs of law students, recent graduates, and legal educators.
Responsibilities
Monitor Licensure Developments
Track changes in bar exam content, format, or administration across all jurisdictions.
Gather information on evolving licensure protocols and disseminate timely updates to AASE leadership.
Advise the Executive Board
Alert the Board to significant developments in testing procedures, regulatory policies, or accreditation standards that impact licensure.
Recommend strategies or statements that AASE may adopt in response.
Advocate for Best Practices
Engage with bar examiners, state regulators, and other stakeholders to promote equitable and transparent testing methods.
Support initiatives that address the needs of diverse test-takers and reinforce evidence-based standards in legal education.
Serve as a Liaison
Facilitate open communication between AASE, bar examiners, and attorney regulatory bodies.
Collaborate with external organizations (e.g., AALS, ABA, NCBE) to influence policies that reflect AASE’s principles and serve the interests of students and AASE.
Mission: The Diversity Committee promotes diversity, inclusion, and belonging within law schools and facilitates equitable entry and representation into the legal profession. Aligned with the traditional role of academic support
in championing diverse voices, the committee fosters inclusive initiatives and advocates for policies that recognize a broad definition of diversity.
Responsibilities
Integrate Diversity into ASP Programming
Identify and share best practices for weaving diversity and inclusion into academic support curricula, teaching methods, and student services.
Advance Professional Growth
Provide mentoring, networking, and other opportunities that support the retention and promotion of diverse academic support professionals.
Encourage leadership development and visibility for underrepresented groups within AASE.
Encourage Inclusive Hiring
Advocate for institutional practices that recruit academic support professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Share strategies and resources to help law schools broaden the representation of their student bodies.
Monitor Standards and Developments
Track academic and accreditation standards that impact diversity in law schools.
Inform the Board of any changes and propose action steps or policy positions as needed.
Recommend Diversity-Focused Programming
Provide guidance to the Board and the Planning Committee on conferences, presentations, or workshops highlighting impactful initiatives.
Mission: The Information & Media Committee shares information and resources with members and the broader law school academic community. To this end, the committee cultivates AASE’s online presence by publishing and distributing
blog posts, highlighting member achievements, and announcing events relevant to the academic support (ASP) field. By leveraging digital platforms and community networks, the committee ensures that members remain informed about emerging
trends, new opportunities, and noteworthy news within the legal education sector.
Responsibilities
Regular Communications & Blog Posts
Produce and circulate blog posts, newsletters, or other written materials that address current issues in academic support, legal education, and attorney licensure.
Coordinate with committee members and contributors to maintain a consistent publishing schedule.
Member Highlights & Accomplishments
Gather and spotlight achievements, accolades, or contributions of AASE members (e.g., publications, presentations, or awards).
Collaborate with other committees to recognize individuals and programs that further the AASE mission.
Support award selection for the annual conference.
News Dissemination & Board Support
Serve as a conduit for timely announcements, updates, or directives from the AASE Board of Directors.
Work closely with the Secretary and Secretary-elect.
Ensure official statements, policy changes, and calls to action reach the ASP community clearly and efficiently.
Social Media & Community Engagement
Publish committee materials and AASE event information on social media platforms and other relevant forums.
Expand digital outreach initiatives to enhance member engagement, facilitate networking, and encourage broader participation in AASE programming.
Mission: The Member Engagement Committee fosters an active and supportive community of AASE members by providing opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and networking. Through creative programming and relationship-building,
the committee enhances the overall membership experience in AASE.
Responsibilities
Develop Engaging Programs
Plan and implement events, webinars, or discussion groups that encourage ongoing member participation.
Solicit feedback from members to continually improve programming.
Coordinate with Planning Committee
Collaborate closely with the Planning Committee to integrate engagement-oriented sessions into the annual conference and other major AASE events.
Collaborate on events that promote connection among members across different institutions or practice areas.
Mentorship and Onboarding
Pair new or early-career ASP professionals with experienced mentors.
Develop orientation resources or welcome events that help new members navigate and become fully integrated into the organization.
Community Building
Leverage social media, newsletters, or other communication channels to regularly highlight member achievements and foster shared interests.
Encourage collaboration and connection across geographic regions.
Mission: The Planning Committee ensures the delivery of high-quality educational and professional development events for AASE, with a primary focus on the Annual Conference. In line with AASE’s mission, this committee coordinates
program content and works with local school hosts to deliver meaningful member experiences. The committee also works with the Conference Host to execute the conference, including potentially identify additional sponsors beyond active Institutional
and Vendor Members for the conference, as needed.
Responsibilities
Sponsor Coordination
Identify and collaborate with sponsors, including but not limited to AASE’s Institutional and Vendor Members, as well as other prospective supporters.
Maintain transparent guidelines on sponsorship levels and benefits in line with AASE policies.
Call for Proposals and Program Selection
Prepare and distribute a call for proposals for conference or event presentations.
Review and select submissions that align with AASE’s strategic goals and conference theme, ensuring a diverse representation of topics, views, and presenters.
Conference Schedule and Logistics
Develop a clear and organized schedule for the annual conference and other flagship events.
Coordinate with local hosts to manage venue, registration, and on-site logistics.
Program Quality and Innovation
Encourage innovative session formats, such as workshops, roundtables, or interactive sessions.
Gather and respond to attendee feedback, adjusting future programming as needed.
Cross-Committee Collaboration
Consult with other committees (e.g., Scholarship, Diversity, Member Engagement) to incorporate specialized programming that supports all aspects of AASE’s mission.
Professional Development — Mission & Responsibilities
Mission: Consistent with AASE’s mission to foster and promote the professional development of its members, the Professional Development Committee provides resources, support, and community for members seeking to advance their
careers within academia and beyond. The Committee aims to facilitate mentorship, offer guidance on navigating the law school hiring and promotion processes, and cultivate leadership opportunities that reflect the evolving landscape of
academic support in legal education.
Responsibilities
Career Advancement Resources
Develop and distribute resources for members seeking to transition into new roles, apply for promotions, or navigate the hiring process at law schools.
Offer workshops, webinars, or online resource guides on professional development skills, including CV writing, creating cover letters, and preparing for interviews.
Mentorship & Networking
Connect new and early-career academic support professionals with seasoned mentors who can offer advice on best practices, institutional dynamics, and professional growth.
Organize structured mentoring circles (virtual or in-person) to foster peer learning and networking across institutions.
Promotion & Status Advocacy
Identify common institutional barriers that academic support professionals face when seeking promotions and leadership roles.
Collaborate with the Bar Advocacy Committee, Diversity Committee, Scholarship Committee, Member Engagement Committee, and other stakeholders to promote equitable policies for faculty and staff status, job security, and professional
recognition.
Leadership Development
Plan and execute leadership-focused programming at the Annual Conference.
Collaboration with Other Committees
Partner with the Scholarship Committee to support members seeking to enhance their scholarly profile through job talks and scholarship development.
Coordinate with the Member Engagement Committee to ensure professional development programming is aligned with broader member engagement efforts.
Mission: The Scholarship Committee promotes and supports scholarship, empirical research, and other academic endeavors that advance the fields of academic support, legal education, and attorney licensure. Through workshops,
mentoring, and funding resources, the committee empowers AASE members to develop and disseminate high-quality scholarly projects.
Responsibilities
Funding and Grant Resources
Identify possible funding sources or writing stipends to facilitate members’ research endeavors.
Manage internal grant programs, including establishing criteria for distribution and overseeing awarded funds.
Facilitate Writing Workshops
Organize workshops or virtual sessions where members can brainstorm research ideas, refine drafts, and receive feedback from peers or experts.
Offer skill-building sessions on writing style, publication processes, or data analysis methods.
Mentorship for Scholars
Pair novice or first-time writers with published scholars for one-on-one guidance.
Encourage collaboration among members to cultivate a supportive network of ASP researchers.
Professional Development Opportunities
Host job talk moots or mock interviews for members pursuing academic career paths that emphasize scholarship and research.
Promote Scholarly Output
Showcase members’ research achievements in AASE publications, newsletters, and conference presentations.
Collaborate with the Planning Committee to incorporate research-oriented programming into the Annual Conference.