Our Team

Joni Wiredu, Assistant Dean of Academic Excellence

(202) 274-4019

Joni Wiredu earned her JD from William & Mary Law School and a BA from Dartmouth College. As a former Senior Director at a major bar review company, Ms. Wiredu has 14 years of experience in bar preparation, has counseled hundreds of students annually on studying for the bar examination, and has worked with students on developing appropriate strategies for bar examination success. She has also lectured widely on essay writing and study skills. As the Assistant Dean of Academic Excellence, Ms. Wiredu analyzes student performance in the law school curriculum, and on the bar examination, and makes recommendations to, and work with, the Committee on Academic Excellence to implement and supervise additional academic training where appropriate. Ms. Wiredu also advises students on best academic practices in law school, and provides strategic planning assistance to improve educational outcomes.

Rachel Gordon, Associate Director of Academic Advising & Policy Development

(202) 274-4203
rgordon@wcl.american.edu
Office: C-100B

Rachel Gordon is the Associate Director of Academic Advising and Policy Development. In this position, Ms. Gordon provides academic planning advice and guidance to WCL J.D. students. She coordinates the Compass program, designed to orient 1L students to WCL, and organizes programs and resources for all law students. In addition to her administrative duties, Ms. Gordon teaches legal research and writing to LL.M. students. Prior to joining the Office of Academic Excellence, Ms. Gordon was the Assistant Director of WCL Abroad where she managed WCL’s study abroad programs and supported international initiatives. In 2017, she participated in the Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminar in Germany. Ms. Gordon received her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law, her B.S. from Cornell University, and a graduate certificate in TESOL from American University.

Michael S. Levine, Associate Director of Academic Excellence

mlevine@wcl.american.edu
Office: C-100A

Michael S. Levine is the Associate Director of the Office of Academic Excellence. In this role, Mr. Levine will support the development of academic skills and bar preparation programming, offer individual coaching and workshops, and teach credit-bearing skills coursework. Prior to joining the WCL community, Mr. Levine served on the faculty at The George Washington University Law School, where he primarily taught legal writing, oral advocacy, and professional identity formation principles to 1L students. He formerly served as Assistant Director of GW’s Legal Research and Writing Program, taught Scholarly Writing to journal members and Thesis Writing to LL.M. candidates. He is a frequent presenter to professional and law school organizations. Mr. Levine earned his J.D. from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law and his B.A. from The State University of New York at Albany.

Dominic Del Corso, Legal Education Advisor

(240) 673-0305
delcorso@wcl.american.edu

Dominic Del Corso is a Legal Education Advisor for WCL’s Office of Academic Excellence. Mr. Del Corso is responsible for counseling students on best practices for success both in law school and on the bar exam. Prior to joining the Office of Academic Excellence, Mr. Del Corso worked with several of the city’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions planning public meetings and submitting reports to DC agencies regarding zoning, transportation, public safety, and other issues of community concern. He received his B.A. in Political Science from American University and his J.D. from the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law.

Sarah Schenkman, Legal Education Advisor

(202) 274-4367
speck@wcl.american.edu
Office: C-100C

Sarah Schenkman is a Legal Education Advisor in the Office of Academic Excellence. Sarah provides academic success support and bar exam preparation assistance to WCL students through both individual advising and group programming. She also counsels students on best approaches to tackling law school challenges and procedures. Prior to joining the Office of Academic Excellence, Sarah worked as a recruiter and account executive for a large staffing firm, partnering with candidates and clients in the legal field on job searches and hiring solutions. She also worked as a law clerk and associate attorney specializing in family law directly after law school. Sarah received her J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law where she served as a student representative for a major bar preparation company, and her B.A. with Honors from the University of Delaware. Beginning in spring 2024, Sarah will be joining the WCL adjunct faculty to teach an externship seminar.