Dean andré douglas pond cummings Featured in Attollo Prep Professional Development Series
Dean and Professor of Law andré douglas pond cummings of Widener University Commonwealth Law School joined high school scholars, educators, and community members at Attollo Prep on June 26 for a live conversation exploring leadership, justice, mentorship, and the many ways a legal education can shape lives and communities.
Held at Attollo Prep's headquarters in Lancaster, the event served as both an in-person discussion and a live podcast recording as part of the organization's Professional Development Series. The audience included Attollo Prep students, staff, and community members, who had the opportunity to engage with cummings throughout the conversation.
The discussion traced cummings' journey from growing up in California and attending Howard University School of Law to practicing corporate law at Kirkland & Ellis LLP before transitioning into legal education. Along the way, he reflected on the mentors who influenced his career, the experiences that shaped his commitment to justice, and the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
The conversation also highlighted cummings' nationally recognized scholarship, including his work examining the intersection of law, race, culture, and hip hop, as well as his commitment to fostering a culture of belonging in legal education. Throughout the session, he encouraged students to embrace mentorship, remain curious, and recognize the power they have to influence systems and create meaningful change.
Attollo Prep serves more than 400 high school students throughout Lancaster County each year through college access and youth development programming. Its Professional Development Series connects scholars with accomplished professionals whose personal and professional journeys offer insight into higher education, career pathways, and leadership.
The live recording was released as a podcast on Attollo Prep's YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts channels.Watch the episode on YouTube here!