Diversity & Inclusion
We invite you to join us.
Detroit Mercy Law is committed to enhancing the legal profession and advancing justice through our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We are proud of our heritage of enrolling racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people of various religious affiliations in our earliest classes. We value diversity in all forms, including gender, race, religion, national origin, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical ability, and learning style.
Detroit Mercy Law students come from a wide range of backgrounds.
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2022 Incoming Class Demographic Survey
Each fall, we conduct an anonymous demographic survey to learn more about the entering class and how our students self-identify.
Response Rate: 95%
Gender: 59% Women, 34% Men, 0.5% Non-Binary, 0.5% Different Gender, 6% No Response
First-Generation Law Students: 80%
LGBTQIA+ Community: 9%
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47% Racial/Ethnic Diversity
According to our fall 2022 demographic survey, 47% of respondents self-identify as students of color. While only 24% of the 2022 entering class fit the U.S. Census definition of racial or ethnic minorities, this classification hides the true diversity that exits within our community. The U.S. census classifies Canadian students, nearly half our student body, as foreign nationals, and does not allow students to further self-identify. The U.S. census definitions do not allow students to self-identify as Arab-American/Arab-Canadian/Middle Eastern.
"I am a Chaldean-American, was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and am the mother of three children. I chose Detroit Mercy Law because of the inviting community."
Rita Soka '22
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15+ Religious Preferences
Detroit Mercy Law welcomes students from all faith traditions and backgrounds. The Fall 2022 entering class includes students from a wide range of religious traditions, including those with no religious affiliation.
"Diversity in the legal field matters because it helps promote tolerance among different groups of people."
Aryell Pasternak '20
We provide all students with the tools to excel. Whatever your story, you will be valued as an individual, welcomed into our community, and supported as you pursue your goals.
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Discover our Community
Visit the Student Organizations page to learn more about the all-inclusive Student Bar Association, as well as special interest student groups, including:
- Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
- Hispanic & Latino/a Law Students Association (HiLLSA)
- Arab American Law Students Association (AALSA)
- Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
- Women's Law Caucus
- OutLaws (serves the LGBTQIA+ community)
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Meet our Faculty: 60% women, 40% men, & 25% people of color
At Detroit Mercy Law, you will learn the art of lawyering from a diverse faculty. The law faculty is 60% women, 40% men, and 25% people of color.
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Statement about Diversity & Inclusion
A critical component of helping our students achieve their personal and professional goals is preparing them to live and work in a world that is wonderfully diverse. We include, respect, and welcome into our community diverse individuals and perspectives. We value diversity in many forms, including gender, race, religion, national origin, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical ability, and learning style. We strive to reflect this value through the vibrancy of student life and the composition of our student body, faculty, staff, and administration. In accordance with the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is firmly committed to enriching and enhancing the diversity of our community.