{"id":2,"date":"2015-09-29T20:47:09","date_gmt":"2015-09-29T20:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/culture-and-inclusion\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-06-16T15:02:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T20:02:53","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/culture-and-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of Culture and Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mitchell Hamline School of Law is committed to protecting human rights and promoting equity and peak performance in higher education: helping future lawyers become skilled, global-minded, and culturally intelligent professionals\"preLaw<\/a><\/h3>\n

We are committed to protecting human rights and promoting equity so that we can provide a learning and working environment that maximizes the potential of each of our students, faculty, and staff members. We also embrace Minnesota and Federal laws that prohibit discrimination in education and employment.<\/p>\n

The Office of Culture and Inclusion works with the Mitchell Hamline administration, faculty, and staff to create an environment where students feel comfortable expressing their racial, ethnic, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, and all other dimensions of their social and cultural identity. We offer a number of programs and services that help students build a vibrant learning community, as well as explore the law from different perspectives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Students welcoming students<\/h2>\n

We asked some of our 2026\u201327 student affinity group leaders to share a welcome greeting to our incoming class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"Laura<\/a><\/td>\nBoozhoo, hello, and welcome 1L students! My name is Laura Dorn<\/strong>, and I am an enrolled member of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and co-president of the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA). I am a 2L blended student but reside in Minnesota in the North Metro area. Being involved in NALSA and the Indigenous Woman\u2019s Law Society (IWLS) has had a tremendous impact on my success here at Mitchell Hamline. Congratulations, welcome, and I look forward to meeting you all this fall!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Madison<\/a><\/td>\nHey there, welcome to law school! My name is Madison Fleming<\/strong>, and I am a rising 3L. I currently serve as the President and Founder of ROE: Reproductive Opportunity and Equality, Co-President of Out!Law, and Vice President of the Disabled Law Student Association (DLSA). The beginning of law school can feel a bit intimidating as you surround yourself with some of the brightest, most dedicated people you\u2019ll ever meet. If you ever start to feel discouraged or think you don\u2019t belong, remember this: while you look around the room admiring the strengths of your peers, the effort they put into their work, and the balance they seem to find despite it all, someone is looking at you thinking the exact same thing. The challenges of law school ebb and flow, but the relationships you choose to build can last forever. My advice to you is to take things one day at a time, lean into your peers for support, and don\u2019t be afraid to put yourself out there. \u201cIf opportunity doesn\u2019t knock, build a door.\u201d \u2013 Milton Berle.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Srilekha<\/a><\/td>\nWelcome, 1L students! My name is Srilekha Garishakurti<\/strong>, and I am a rising 2L. I currently serve as President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA). As a first-generation law student, I know that starting law school can feel both exciting and overwhelming. During my first year, one of the most valuable lessons I learned was the importance of finding community and staying connected to the parts of yourself that make you unique. Law school will challenge you in many ways, but it will also give you opportunities to learn from people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. There may be times when law school feels challenging, but remember that you earned your place here. Do not be afraid to ask questions, get involved, and seek support when you need it. I wish you the very best during your 1L year and look forward to supporting you throughout your law school journey!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Mohamed<\/a><\/td>\nSalam and welcome to law school!\u00a0My name is Mohamed Shehata<\/strong>, and I am a full-time BAM 2 student. I am currently the co-president of the Muslim Law Student Association (MLSA) and the Founder of the First-Generation Law Student Association (which is launching the same semester as you). One of the many reasons I chose Mitchell Hamline is its community. This community goes from fellow students you\u2019ll see more than your own family, to the professors and staff who genuinely want to help and support you in becoming the best version of yourself inside and outside the classroom. Given that, my biggest advice is to take advantage of everything Mitchell Hamline has to offer, starting with the genuine people who make it what it is.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Shawn<\/a><\/td>\nWelcome to Mitchell Hamline School of Law!\u00a0My name is Shawn Swinton<\/strong>, and I am a rising 3L . I currently serve as president of the Black Law Students Association and American Bar Association representative for the Student Bar Association.\u00a0As you begin your law school journey, my biggest piece of advice is to stay engaged, build relationships, and take advantage of the many opportunities Mitchell Hamline has to offer. The friendships, mentors, and experiences you gain here will be just as valuable as what you learn in the classroom.\u00a0There will be challenges along the way but remember that you earned your place here. Stay focused, trust the process, and do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it.\u00a0I wish you the very best during your 1L year and look forward to seeing all that you accomplish.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Minnesota law prohibits discrimination in higher education<\/h2>\n

The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) is the primary law in Minnesota that prohibits discrimination. It is enforced by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR), and it is one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country. <\/span><\/p>\n

The MHRA prohibits discrimination in education, employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, credit, and business based on protected classes, such as: race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically related to education, i<\/span>t is an unfair discriminatory practice to discriminate in any manner in the full utilization of or benefit from any educational institution, or the services rendered thereby to any person because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability, or to fail to ensure physical and program access for disabled persons. Minn. Stat. \u00a7 363A.13(1).<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, a<\/span>n academy, college, elementary or secondary school, extension courses, kindergarten, nursery school, business school, or professional school cannot refuse to select for admission or provide education to certain individuals, deny the person the full utilization and benefit of an educational institution, refuse to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability, or exclude, discipline or expel certain individuals in violation of the MHRA. <\/span><\/p>\n

Federal laws prohibit discrimination in higher education<\/h2>\n

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that “no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d).<\/span><\/p>\n

All public colleges, universities and law schools plus virtually all private colleges and universities are covered by Title VI because they receive such assistance by participating in federal student aid programs. <\/span><\/p>\n

As the US Supreme Court recently confirmed, Title VI prohibits racial classifications that would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. All educational institutions, including pre-K, elementary, and secondary public schools and school districts, and public and private colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions that receive federal financial assistance, are required to comply with Title VI. <\/span><\/p>\n

Discrimination based on race, color, or national origin includes discrimination based on a person\u2019s actual or perceived race, color, or national origin. In addition, discrimination may arise based on the country or world region from which a person or their ancestors come; a person\u2019s limited English proficiency or status as an English learner, or a person\u2019s actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including those associated with membership in a specific religion (such as Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, or Sikhism).<\/span><\/p>\n

Discrimination based on a person\u2019s sex is prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1990 and Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination based on a person\u2019s disability, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination based on a person\u2019s age. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mitchell Hamline’s commitment to human rights<\/h2>\n

Mitchell Hamline is committed to fulfilling the promise of <\/span>Brown v. Broad of Education <\/span><\/i>and its progeny by ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of Mitchell Hamline\u2019s educational programs or services on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex\/gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial (or parental) status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status, or any other protected class defined by law.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you feel you are being denied participation in or being denied benefits of the educational programs or services provided by Mitchell Hamline School of Law, or otherwise being discriminated against based on any of the above, please contact the Office of Culture and Inclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Culture and Inclusion at Mitchell Hamline<\/h2>\n

We believe that multiplicity, in all of its forms, benefits the classroom, the college, and the legal profession. Mitchell Hamline is a welcoming and respectful community where individuals can explore differences in a safe and positive environment, and where students not only learn from their professors but also from the diverse life experiences of their classmates.<\/p>\n