Alum Ethan Snyder is Director of Academic Resources and Diversity

Lewis & Clark Law School welcomes back alum Ethan Snyder ’20 to serve as director of Academic Resources and Diversity. Snyder is a first-generation college student and graduated with a double major from Portland State University (PSU) in Political Science and Law and Legal Studies. He also received his Masters of Public Policy from PSU. He graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School in May 2020. Snyder replaces J.B. Kim JD ’94 who left the law school in late 2020 to become the director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Oregon State Bar.

“Ethan was selected from an amazing field of candidates by interviewing teams of faculty, staff, and students,” stated Associate Dean of Student Affairs Libby Davis. “Those of us who interviewed Ethan were extremely impressed with his commitment to continuing the existing student support programs and enhancing them.”

Snyder has significant experience in student support and previously worked at University of Alaska Anchorage as their Civil Rights and Title IX Investigator. He also served as the director of Learning Skills at Umpqua Community College and the director of Retention, Outreach, and Diversity at Portland State University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, where he supported underrepresented students in STEM.

“I am excited to collaborate with students, staff, and faculty to expand academic support programs on campus,” Snyder stated when asked what he is most looking forward to in this role. “This will include the expansion of supplemental instruction for all first-year students and looking for ways to enhance our support of bar preparation. Also, I look forward to looking for ways to promote the achievements of our talented and diverse student body.”

Snyder will build on the school’s already strong Academic Enhancement Program (AEP), as well as other student support programs and diversity initiatives. In addition to assuming the student support responsibilities, he will also teach Advanced Analysis in Pre-Bar Skills, the school’s pre-bar course, in coordination with Sandy Patrick. Snyder replaces J.B. Kim JD ’94 who left the law school in late 2020 to become the director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Oregon State Bar.

“My office door is open to all students that are looking for support,” Snyder said. “Whether it is outlining and looking for strategies in the classroom or how to find balance between law school and everything else going on in the world.”

Snyder’s office is located in the Legal Research Center on the Law School campus.