ASU Law launches leadership academy to ready next generation of leaders
The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is launching the D.C. Leadership Academy this summer to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders with a focus on law and public policy.
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is launching a new initiative designed to equip students worldwide with the practical skills and immersive experiences necessary to thrive in their professional journeys.
ASU Law will hold its inaugural D.C. Leadership Academy this summer. The eight-week program hopes to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders at the intersection of law and public policy. Bringing together undergraduate, graduate and law students from around the world, the D.C. Leadership Academy will consist of two-hour sessions once per week.
This opportunity is the first of its kind dedicated to learning leadership skills at a law school for students from a mix of degree programs and is intended to teach them the ins and outs of working in D.C., said Andrea Cayley, executive director of ASU Law’s Washington, D.C., programs.
“This program teaches students professional skills that they would normally never get in the classroom,” she said. “Participating in the D.C. Leadership Academy will put students a step ahead in the workplace after graduation and will allow them to spend the summer working and connecting with leaders in Washington, D.C. They will leave the program not only with new skills but also with top professional contacts.”
Session topics will include writing a top-notch cover letter, how Congress and the executive branch work, networking and interviewing skills, getting hired in D.C. and more. Sessions are free of cost and will be held in the evening to accommodate internship requirements during the day, so students can amplify their summer experience with the practical skills they need to succeed.
Participants will engage in practical, hands-on activities and have the opportunity to network with esteemed professionals from prominent Washington, D.C., law firms, such as Cleary Gottlieb and Latham & Watkins.
Danielle Rosetti, chief talent officer for Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney in Washington, D.C., graduated from ASU Law in 2002. As an alum, she is closely involved with the law school’s growing D.C. offerings, including the development of the D.C. Leadership Academy. She will also participate as a speaker for at least two of the program’s sessions.
“I don’t know of any other law school doing a program like this,” she said. “Just by the nature of having this leadership program with the recognition of how important leadership skills are very early on in the legal profession ... sets ASU Law apart. They’re doing it with so much care and thought and in such a comprehensive way.”
Rosetti runs a leadership development program at her law firm, something she’s extremely passionate about. She understands how valuable this experience is and encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity.
“An important takeaway for students is that leadership exists at every level, and you can define leadership in so many different ways,” she said. “Whether you’re a leader in your class or study group, you can learn qualities and skills that will transfer into all aspects of your career. Leadership comes in a lot of different forms, and these skills will be beneficial to you wherever your career takes you.”
The new D.C. Leadership Academy is another great addition to the growing offerings at ASU Law’s D.C. location, where students can take courses, participate in externships, work in government agencies and experience the unique opportunities D.C. has to offer.
“The D.C. Leadership Academy is based in the heart of the nation’s capital and located at the center of everything," said Stacy Leeds, Willard H. Pedrick Dean, and Regents and Foundation Professor of Law.
"Whether students hope to go into law or not, the law is for everybody, and the skills they will gain from this experience will undoubtedly enhance their careers after graduation."
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