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Our Mission
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The Pre-Law Advisors National Council's (PLANC) mission is to serve as a resource for the regional associations and provide support for the common interests of pre-law advisors by facilitating and advocating for shared goals and interests at the national level. PLANC derives its strength and its membership from its regional associations and is committed to their success. PLANC promotes ideas, resources, and best practices in pre-law advising across the country, while encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pre-law advising profession.
REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Since its inception in 1975, MAPLA has served as an effective vehicle for communication among professionals involved in pre-law advising and in the law school admissions process. MAPLA members advise students in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
NAPLA is the oldest and largest of the six regional pre-law advising associations. Founded in 1973, it was incorporated in 1984.
Our Association, with a membership of approximately 400, includes undergraduate pre-law advisors from schools in the northeast and throughout the nation, along with representatives from most ABA-approved law schools in the country.
PCAPLA
Pacific Coast Association of Pre-Law Advisors
PCAPLA’s mission is to improve the skills of pre-law advisors, to advocate for the interests of students in the law school counseling and admissions process, and to connect pre-law advisors and law school admission representatives
SAPLA membership is open to pre-law advisors from community colleges, four- year colleges and universities, and law school representatives.
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While SAPLA was originally comprised of pre-law advisors in Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, membership is now open to all regardless of residence.
The Southwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors (SWAPLA) is a professional support organization serving both faculty and staff of colleges and universities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
​WAPLA is a professional non-profit organization that provides professional development, networking, and leadership for our diverse membership.
PLANC AT-LARGE MEMBERS
Meet the PLANC Board
Chair (2023-2025)
Martha Kirby
The University of Iowa
Director, Law School Readiness Program,
Department of Political Science
Phone: 319-335-2347
martha-kirby@uiowa.edu
Immediate Past Chair
Michael Vitlip
Franklin & Marshall College
Director of Legal and STEM Professions Advising
Office of Student & Post-Graduate Development
Chair-Elect
Maya Russell
Furman University
Pre-Law Advisor, Office of Pre-Professional Advising
maya.russell@furman.edu
864-294-3053
Treasurer (2023-2025)
Don Racheter
Communication Coordinator (2022-2024)
Veronica Joiner
University of Cincinnati
Sr. Academic Advisor
Pre-Professional Advising Center
2024 Conference Chair
Kevin Freeman
2024 Conference Programming Chair
Rita Ralston
Boston University
Pre-Law Academic Advisor, Pre-Professional Advising Office
Phone: 617-353-4867
rcallaha@bu.edu
MAPLA President
Larry Hayman
MAPLA Designated Member
Erin Reichelt
NAPLA President
Lauren Dropkin
Brandeis University
Senior Assistant Director of Career Services, Pre-Law Advisor
PCAPLA President
Miguel Moran-Lanier
PCAPLA Designated Member
Susanne Mahoney Filback
Pomona College
Associate Director, Preprofessional Programs & Pre-Law Advisor
SAPLA President
Mark Brown
University of South Carolina
Pre-Law Advisor and Pre-Graduate School Advisor, Office of Pre-Professional Advising
SWAPLA President
Ana Alvarez
University of Texas at San Antonio
Assistant Director and Pre-Law Advisor, Institute for Law and Public Affairs
Phone: 210-458-2990
ana.alvarez@utsa.edu
SWAPLA Designated Member
Lori Williams-Dekalb
University of Oklahoma
Pre-Law Academic Advisor
Coming Soon
WAPLA President
Chris Shortell
Portland State University
Associate Professor, Political Science-Urban & Public Affairs, Portland State University
WAPLA Designated Member
Mary Nadarski
AccessLex Liaison
Teria Thornton
AccessLex Institute
Pre-Law and Diversity Initiatives Director, AccessLex Institute
CLEO Liaison
Lynda Cevallos
Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
Director, Pre-Law Educational Activities, Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
Phone: 202-828-6107
lcevallos@cleoinc.org
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LSAC Liaison
Kyle McEntee
Law School Admissions Council
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
LSAC Liaison
Katya Valesek
Law School Admissions Council
Coming Soon
Coming Soon