Introducing the Dean’s Fellow Program
For generations, the University of Chicago Law School has stood out for its rigorous academics, intellectual vibrancy, and commitment to fostering dialogue on tough legal issues. But as Dean of Students Brandi Welch knows, this intellectual paradise can also be intimidating—especially for first-year students.
Recognizing that the sheer volume of new material, the unwritten codes of conduct, and the demands of a fast-paced quarter system can leave first-years feeling adrift, Welch and her team saw an opportunity for change. Enter the new Dean’s Fellow Program, a student-led initiative launched this year to ensure that incoming students aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving.
“Our law school environment is unique,” Welch explained. “It’s fast-paced and full of opportunity, but there’s also a secret vocabulary and etiquette. On top of that, there’s a whole city to get to know.”
The Dean’s Fellow Program is designed to help 1Ls acclimate—to Chicago, to the classroom, and to the culture of the Law School.
Leading this charge are 12 students serving as the inaugural Dean’s Fellows, including two “head” fellows who lead Orientation. This cohort of 2Ls and 3Ls bridges the gap between student experience and expectation. Fellows offer guidance on everything from outlining for a class and navigating public transit to finding mental health resources. “Fellows may not have all the answers,” Welch said, “but the Dean of Students Office trains them on where to go for help when they need it.”
“And the timing for a program of this nature couldn’t be more critical,” Welch continued. “With national conversations swirling around the future of the discipline, the Law School’s culture of free expression and rigorous discussion has never mattered more.”
“By creating peer mentors, this program ensures that new students are exposed not only to the school’s formal policies but also to the lived experience and evolving spirit of its student body.” Brandi Welch, dean of students
“Students are, in my opinion, the best conduits for incoming students to understand our culture and to move it forward,” Welch said. “By creating peer mentors, this program ensures that new students are exposed not only to the school’s formal policies but also to the lived experience and evolving spirit of its student body.”
The short-term impact of the Dean’s Fellow Program can be seen in countless small moments: a late-night email answered, an impromptu chat in the Green Lounge, or a study group started by a Fellow. But the vision reaches further.
Sanye Sinchinga, ’26, one of the head fellows, remembers her own first days at the Law School vividly. “Coming into my first year, I wished I’d known there isn’t one ‘right’ way to do law school,” she reflected. “Everyone has their own opinions about outlining or prepping for class. In reality, the best approach is figuring out what works for you and sticking with it. I hope to give others the confidence to trust themselves.”
Andrew Couchon, ’27, the second head fellow, believes the program is vital for carrying forward the Law School’s culture of open debate. “Most higher education institutions espouse a commitment to talking across differences, but the vast majority fall short,” Couchon said. “At our law school, there’s a real dedication to the ‘life of the mind’ and hearing out every viewpoint. I hope to convey to new students that this dedication is real.”
In the long run, Welch hopes the program will nurture cohorts of students who will support one another for years to come, both inside the classroom and beyond.
“The fellows are here for first-years, but they’re also here for each other,” she said, noting that these bonds, forged in academic and personal trials, could even feed into the Law School’s storied alumni network. “At similar programs I’ve run in the past, I’ve seen fellows get married. I’m not putting the pressure on anybody—but I’m not ruling out such possibilities,” she quipped.
Fellows are selected through a competitive application process led by the Dean of Students Office, which looks for students who embody the Law School’s ethos of support, curiosity, and free expression. Once chosen, fellows commit to serving for the entire academic year after undergoing dedicated training to set them up for success in the role. The training focuses not only on practical knowledge, but on soft skills such as empathy, discretion, and resourcefulness.
Fellows are then paired with a designated group of first-year students from a Bigelow section, ensuring that every incoming student has an accessible and experienced peer mentor. Fellows meet their first-years at orientation and coordinate programming and touchpoints throughout the year. They also serve as liaisons between students and administrators.
The fellow-mentee engagement level varies by need and interest. Some mentees seek out advice on outlining or finals strategy, while others want help navigating cultural and social life in Hyde Park. Fellows host coffee chats, organize wellness workshops, run Q&A panels, and are available for one-on-one meetings, online or in person.
To ensure accountability and responsiveness, the Dean of Students Office convenes monthly check-ins with all fellows, hearing out what students need and rapidly addressing concerns as they arise. “We want to minimize bad information from the rumor mill,” Welch explained. “By meeting with the fellows, who have their fingers on the 1L pulse, my hope is that we hear about things we might not otherwise know—and help.”
For Welch, the Dean’s Fellow Program is not just a support system, it’s a community investment. By channeling the wisdom and warmth of upper-year students, the program helps incoming students see themselves as part of a vibrant, welcoming, and resilient community—a place where rigorous debate and personal connection go together.
It’s a pledge that every student, whether overwhelmed, exhilarated, or both, will find a mentor ready to listen and help.
Dean's Fellows Share Their Insights
We asked a few of the fellows to reflect on their 1L experiences and their goals as fellows
“I am a first-generation law student, so I came here knowing little about the legal profession or law school. What worked for me in undergrad did not necessarily work in law school. There was an adjustment period, as I think there is for everyone. My priority will be to help 1Ls create a community where they feel supported and can envision themselves growing both personally and professionally. I also want to help each student identify the academic strategies and approaches that fit their individual strengths and learning styles.” Gabryella Carrelli, ’27, Dean's Fellow
“When I came into my 1L year, I wish I had taken better advantage of the amazing resources the Law School has to offer. One of my goals as a Dean’s Fellow is to connect incoming students with all the fantastic people in the Law School community and help them feel comfortable reaching out and utilizing the resources available to them. And while the Law School requires plenty of hard work, I hope my group will learn that it is all hard work worth doing and that they are never alone. In fact, they are surrounded by some of the greatest friends they will make in their lives.” Jackson Cole, ’26, Dean's Fellow
“I think a particular skill that I bring to the table and would like to contribute as mentor is ‘confident optimism.’ We cannot control what happens to us in life, but we can control how we react to it. Reacting with the confidence to say that ‘I can handle this’ has an impact that cannot be overstated. That’s not to say people shouldn’t get upset when bad things happen. But after that grief passes, grounding yourself and focusing on what you can control makes all the difference in how you bounce back. I spent the better part of a decade training in competitive diving and swimming with Olympic gold medalists and world record holders, and this attitude in the face of adversity was common across each of them.” Andrew Couchon, '27, Head Dean's Fellow
“The best thing I learned when I was a 1L was that other people wanted to work together. My first quarter I remember doing most of my studying alone because I had the idea that law school was supposed to be a competitive place where nobody would share their precious understanding. Then one of my classmates suggested making a study group and I realized that meeting with others to discuss the class was more helpful than reviewing the material alone. I want 1Ls to know that they don’t have to go through this experience alone, and it is really easy to find other people who appreciate teamwork.” Jacob Judd, '26, Dean's Fellow
“Law school has felt a lot like a team sport to me. We’re all here to do our best, support each other, and have fun along the way. The friendships you build with your teammates (classmates) are the most valuable takeaway. The knowledge is cool too, of course! I want to help our newest classmates find their rhythm and, most of all, enjoy law school. Whether it’s through student organizations, intramural sports, or even the Law School Musical, I plan to encourage them to dive in, try new things, and have fun.” Ronja Kleinholz, ’26, Dean's Fellow
“As a mentor, I want to contribute kindness and authenticity. I truly hope that my 1L group will feel that I am approachable, available, and willing to help without judgment. I also want to focus on wellness in every sense of the word. It is easy to forget to take a break, or drink water, or incorporate movement into your day when you are studying so intensely. But these things are essential to academic success, and they don’t have to take much time or feel like a chore to make a real difference.” Sanye Sichinga, '26, Head Dean's Fellow
“One thing I now realize is there is no ‘right’ way to do law school. Everyone has their own unique approach to friends, classes, hobbies, and career, and a lot of those approaches are valid. When I was a 1L, I was so worried that because I wasn’t always working late or constantly stressed, there must be something wrong, or I must be behind. But the reality is, everyone handles the pressure and workload of 1L differently. I would like to impart on my 1L group the importance of forging your own path and learning how to make law school feel right to you.” Ashley Zoeckler, '27, Dean's Fellow
