By Grace Farrell
In early March, the University of Puget Sound announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing access to legal studies in Tacoma. The University is partnering with Seattle University’s School of Law in a new program, known as Hybrid Hub. Coordination between the schools is overseen by Seattle University’s School of Law Dean, Anthony Varona, in collaboration with Puget Sound’s Provost Drew Kerkhoff and General Counsel Joanna Carey Cleveland.
Hybrid Hub will provide both in-person and virtual options for earning a law degree through Seattle University. Those with jobs or family obligations can pursue a law degree through nontraditional means of study, while still having access to quality education. Provost Kerkhoff notes that the South Sound area lacks a full in-person law school campus and hopes that the partnership will increase equitable access to legal studies for those wanting to pursue legal degrees “without leaving their local community.”
Puget Sound sold its law school to Seattle University in 1993 and has continued to send a high number of graduating Puget Sound pre-law students to Seattle University. The consistent partnership between institutions has allowed for a smooth introduction of the new program, according to Kerkhoff.
“It’s been an exciting opportunity and a bit of a homecoming for some of our law alumni who graduated from the University of Puget Sound School of Law and are now Seattle University alumni,” Kerkhoff said. He compared the partnership to existing collaborations between Puget Sound and similar institutions with complementary graduate school pathways.
“We have other arrangements with, for example, Pacific Lutheran University. Our students have an expedited application process for their graduate programs, and vice versa,” Kerkhoff said. Eventually, the program should also introduce accelerated application pathways for Puget Sound students applying to Seattle University. The partnership is expected to continue funneling Puget Sound students interested in legal studies to Seattle University.
The Hybrid Hub program will enhance Puget Sound’s existing pre-law resources. Carey Cleveland expects that Puget Sound will host more presentations on legal matters in the upcoming school year. She hopes that students will take advantage of events like discussions or meet-and-greets with legal experts and admission staff for Seattle University’s School of Law. The University will also likely hold a celebration event to commemorate the collaboration with a meet-and-greet with Seattle University’s School of Law dean. As a practicing lawyer, Carey Cleveland understands that hosting these events provides an important stepping stone for students interested in legal studies.
Kerrigan Franklin (‘26) is curious about how Puget Sound will incentivize pre-law students like herself to apply to Seattle University’s School of Law. “I plan on mostly applying to law schools on the East Coast, but I’d also be a fool not to look into what opportunities are a part of this partnership,” Franklin said.
“One of our goals at Puget Sound is to be well integrated into the community and make sure the community knows all the benefits of having a university around them,” Carey Cleveland said. “A large part of that is the speakers, lectures and presentations that help spark creative ideas and a broader understanding of the world.”