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Introducing HARLANconnect – Virtual Mentoring Program from the Harlan Institute

January 14th, 2011

The Harlan Institute is proud to announce the launch of HARLANconnect.

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HARLANconnect revolutionizes the way attorneys and students interact.

  • Classes sign up to learn from a virtual mentor about the Constitution and the Supreme Court
  • Attorneys volunteer to mentor classes
  • HARLANconnect facilitates Skype Video Calls and other virtual exchanges between classrooms and attorney mentors

Sioux Rapids, IowaWhat is HARLANconnect?

HARLANconnect is the Harlan Institute’s innovative platform to help connect attorneys, law professors, and law students with high school classes. Through the use of Skype Video calls, classrooms can connect with attorneys anywhere in the world, and learn more about the Constitution and the Supreme Court.

How does HARLANconnect work?

HARLANconnect provides a simple and easy way for classes to be mentored and learn from attorneys, law professors, and law students.
First, interested classes request a mentor.
Second, the Harlan Institute contacts one of the attorneys in our vast network, and attempts to locate a suitable mentor for the classroom. This mentor will be an attorney, law professor, or law student with a passion for the Constitution, and an interest in sharing his or her knowledge with tomorrow’s leaders and decision-makers.
Third, after a mentor is paired with a class, the Harlan Institute will schedule an initial Skype video call. During this 45-minute call, the mentor will introduce the students to one of the cases pending before the Supreme Court this term, and highlight the constitutional issues in the case.
Following the initial Skype Call, if both the class and the mentor concur, the Harlan Institute will schedule additional Skype calls and other forms of electronic exchange.

How do I get involved?

The goal of HARLANconnect is to make the mentoring process as easy and effective as possible. While the time commitment for all parties is rather small, we find that the virtual visits to classrooms are the next-best-thing to in-person visits.
If you are an attorney, law student, or law professor, and are interested in mentoring a class, please fill out this form.
If you are interested in signing your class up for a mentor, please select a lesson, and sign up for a time slot on this calendar.