Next Generation Leaders
About Next Generation Leaders
In 2007, the American Constitution Society launched its Next Generation Leaders (NGL) program, which identifies and provides support to recent and forthcoming law school graduates who have demonstrated special leadership in their work with ACS’s student chapters, and who have the interest, skills and ability to remain vital members of the ACS community for years to come.
NGL applicants undergo a competitive application process. Each year, 20-25 students are selected as NGLs, and one NGL is selected to serve a 2-year term as a student member of ACS’s Board.
Benefits of NGL program: NGLs receive unique access to quarterly training and career advancement calls, as well as invitations to press and donor calls that are not available to the general membership; tailored introductions to lawyer chapters leaders in their communities; priority access to fellowships and scholarships for ACS activities; invitations to a special NGL convening at the National Convention; and access to more individualized career and other support from ACS staff. Once you are inducted into the NGL program you have continuing opportunities to build and continue relationships with like-minded members of the ACS network.
NGLs are integral to ACS network: There are now over 400 NGLs, the nature of whose individual participation in the program has tended to change over time, as more senior NGLs become mentors to their more junior peers. NGLs form an integral part of the ACS network, with many NGL alums contributing to the strength of the network as lawyer chapter leaders, authors of blog posts and other substantive contributions and as advisors to the organization in its continuing efforts to provide valuable opportunities to its members.
2026 Next Generation Leaders
ACS has selected its 2026 class of Next Generation Leaders (NGL). NGLs are recent and forthcoming law school graduates who have demonstrated special leadership in their work with ACS’s student chapters, and who have the interest, skills and ability to remain vital members of the ACS community for years to come.
Jonah Abraham, University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2027
Angélica Afanador, American University Washington College of Law, Class of 2027
Esther Best, Georgia State University College of Law, Class of 2027
Celine Calpo, NYU School of Law, Class of 2027
Molly Estes Cooper, Emory University School of Law, Class of 2026
Priscilla Garcia, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Class of 2026
Kirby Goodman, University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2027
Emily Hernandez, Seattle University School of Law, Class of 2026
Erin Hiestand, Notre Dame Law School, Class of 2026
Shelby Hobohm, NYU School of Law, Class of 2027
Lucia Jiang, Stanford Law School, Class of 2027
Kara S. Kelawan, Harvard Law School, Class of 2026
Abby Lashbrook, Rutgers Law School – Newark, Class of 2026
Andriana Longwell, University of North Dakota School of Law, Class of 2027
Varun Noronha, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Class of 2027
Cassidy Page, The University of New Mexico School of Law, Class of 2027
Abe (AJ) Rosenthal, USC Gould School of Law, Class of 2028
David Salzillo Jr., Roger Williams University School of Law, Class of 2027
Staci Smith, University of Kansas School of Law, Class of 2027
Matthew D. Snyder, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, Class of 2027
Benjamin Vitenson, University of North Carolina School of Law, Class of 2027
Luke Zelich, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Class of 2027
Doris H. Zhang, Fordham University School of Law, Class of 2027
Testimonials
“I am very thankful to be a part of the ACS NGL program. Not only do NGLs have incredible opportunities offered to them, but also a large network of support ranging from the national office to other NGL members. I am so proud to be a part of ACS, and I am even prouder to be an NGL.”
– Kelly M. Johnson, 2017 J.D. Candidate, University of North Dakota School of Law
Apply
The 2026 Next Generation Leader and Board Member application is now closed.