Rachel Gordon, Interim Assistant Dean of Academic Excellence

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

Rachel Gordon is the Interim Assistant Dean of Academic Excellence. She joined the Office of Academic Excellence in July 2022 as 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

(202) 274-4117
mlevine@wcl.american.edu
Office: C-100A

Professor Levine serves as the Associate Director in the Office of Academic Excellence. He supports the development of academic skills and bar preparation programming, offers individual coaching and workshops, and provides academic planning counseling. Professor Levine also teaches upper-level courses in Advanced Legal Methods and Advanced Legal Analysis. Prior to joining WCL, Professor Levine served on the faculty at The George Washington University Law School, where he primarily taught legal writing, oral advocacy, and professional identity formation to 1L students. He formerly served as Assistant Director of GW’s Legal Research and Writing Program, and has taught Scholarly Writing to journal members and Thesis Writing to LL.M. candidates. Professor 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. 

Dionne Dillard, Legal Education Advisor

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

Dionne Dillard (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a Part-Time Legal Education Advisor in WCL’s Office of Academic Excellence. Ms. Dillard brings nearly 15 years of academic success counseling experience to the Office of Academic Excellence through her previous professional experience supporting high schools, colleges, and graduate level academic programming in Maryland and the District of Columbia. After earning her B.A. from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities , and J.D. from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, where she served as Editor-In-Chief of Law Review and as a writing mentor, Ms. Dillard became an attorney specializing in estate planning, family law, business development, and bar coaching services. Ms. Dillard looks forward to partnering with WCL law students to create effective time management schedules and strengthen their lawyering skills, while counseling students on bar examination strategies.

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.