Central Valley Foundation Gives $90,000 to Support King Hall Outreach Program

The Central Valley Foundation has made a pledge of $90,000 to UC Davis School of Law to support the King Hall Outreach Program (KHOP), an innovative, intensive law school preparation program designed to increase diversity among law students and in the legal profession.

Founded by the late McClatchy Company newspaper publisher James B. McClatchy to support programs and organizations dedicated to the enhancement and protection of First Amendment rights, enhance academic achievement of English learners in K-12 schools, and enhance and preserve the quality of life in the Central Valley, the Central Valley Foundation previously has given to establish the Central Valley Foundation/James B. McClatchy Lecture on the First Amendment at UC Davis School of Law. Now, the Foundation is expanding its partnership with the Law School to include support for KHOP.

Established in 2001, KHOP is a unique program that helps first-generation college students and economically disadvantaged students prepare for the law school admissions process.  In addition to providing mentoring and pre-law advising during the school year, the program takes eligible college juniors and seniors through two four-week summer sessions in which they learn writing, analytical, and logical reasoning skills, and study techniques for taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), in addition to exploring career paths available to law school graduates.

"KHOP is unlike any other law school outreach program in that the experience is spread across two consecutive summers, and we focus on the skills these students need in order to gain admission to law school as well as enhanced academic performance and preparation for the LSAT," said Sharon Pinkney, Assistant Dean for Admission and Enrollment.  "The program is offered at no cost to the participants, so we are very appreciative of the support we have received from the Central Valley Foundation and other donors."

To date, 127 students have successfully completed the program.  This summer, 18 college seniors are returning for their second session, and 14 juniors are experiencing KHOP for the first time. The program is supported by funding from the UC Davis School of Law, the Law School Admission Council, the UC Office of the President and private donations such as the Central Valley Foundation gift.