Professors Honored for Contributions to Academic Success Programs

Professors Diane Kraft (l) and Christopher Engle-Newman were honored at the 2026 Association of Academic Support Educators conference in Las Vegas.

At the annual conference of the Association of Academic Support Educators (AASE), hosted earlier this month by the University of Nevada Las Vegas Boyd School of Law, Sturm College of Law faculty members Diane Kraft and Christopher Engle-Newman were recognized for their contributions to legal education, student success, and the academic support professional (ASP) community.

Kraft, who is an associate professor of the practice of law and director of the Academic Achievement Program, received the Spirt of ASP Award, which recognizes an AASE member “who embodies the heart, values, and mission of academic support and bar studies,” according to the organization’s description of the award. Furthermore, recipients of the award exemplify “the inclusive, supportive, and student-centered spirit that defines ASP.” 

AASE President Nachman Gutowski articulated some of the reasons that Kraft received this year’s award: “Whether mentoring a new ASP professional, supporting colleagues through AASE committee work, or helping students navigate the challenges of law school, she consistently offers her time, insight, and encouragement without seeking recognition. Her work is marked by humility, grace, and deep commitment to helping others succeed.”

“Kraft embodies the best of academic support: compassionate mentorship, reliable service, and an unwavering dedication to students and colleagues alike,” Gutowski concluded.

Engle-Newman, associate professor of the practice of law and director of the DU Bar Success Program, was honored with the AASE’s Impact Award, which recognizes an individual’s dedication of time and energy to AASE and the academic success profession. The award description acknowledges that ASP/Bar Studies professionals “wear a lot of hats, and it takes time, focus, dedication and even sacrifice to support AASE."

“Since entering the academic support profession, [Engle-Newman] has quickly emerged as an innovative teacher, thoughtful collaborator, and emerging leader in bar preparation and learning science. His teaching is grounded in clear learning objectives, structured practice, and the science of learning, helping students build the analytical habits, confidence and self-awareness needed for bar success,” said Gutowski.

In describing Engle-Newman’s impact, Gutowski said that it “extends beyond Denver Law through presentations on bar preparation and the transition to the Next Gen bar exam, as well as his work developing integrated question sets through AccessLex to help students and faculty prepare for the new exam format.”

Many congratulations to Professors Kraft and Engle-Newman on their honors. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and recognize their contributions to the strength of the support programs available to students of the Sturm College of Law.