Sinclair360

For paralegal students at Sinclair Community College, opportunities for professional development and networking don’t end when they graduate; rather, the opportunities are just getting started. With the recent advent of the Paralegal Chapter of the Sinclair Alumni Association, alumni are interacting with current paralegal students and the Dayton legal community on a regular basis.

“It all started when we were looking for assistance with our Paralegal Day in May 2009,” said Bree Langemo, associate dean of Sinclair’s Courseview Campus Center and former chair of the Paralegal program. “We needed more help, and we saw a huge desire from alumni to get involved.”

As the first alumni chapter at Sinclair, the group held some introductory meetings to determine its goals, activities and vision. Members decided that they wanted to assist with community and Paralegal program events, as well as serve as mentors to second-year paralegal students.

The group also works with the Greater Dayton Paralegal Association, to provide new paralegals with senior-level mentors; and it frequently announces job postings and networking opportunities. The chapter holds a party for recent paralegal graduates following commencement, and members are granted a free first year membership.

“Our student and alumni groups work closely together,” said Langemo. “Last fall they sponsored a panel of attorneys to discuss what they expect from paralegals and what they look for when hiring new paralegals. This spring the alumni chapter will host an event with the student group, to discuss how to gain professional experience by taking advantage of volunteer opportunities with the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project, the law office of the public defender and the Montgomery County juvenile court. There are many opportunities for both students and alumni to get involved and enhance their skills.”

For more information about the paralegal student or alumni chapters, contact the Sinclair Paralegal program at (937) 512-2616.

By Meghann Heft

Meghann Heft recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Dayton. She can be reached at meghann.heft@gmail.com.