Carnegie Mellon Appointed New Pre-Law Adviser
Doug Coulson stepped into the role following the 24-year tenure of predecessor Jay Devine.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
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Carnegie Mellon University named Doug Coulson as its new Pre-Law adviser to lead the program. The appointment coincides with the formation of a new Pre-Law Task Force tasked with evaluating the program structure.
Why it matters
The university is conducting a comprehensive review of its Pre-Law services to determine the best path forward for student support. During this evaluation, the school has paused its LSAT fee waiver program.
Doug Coulson takes over after Jay Devine led the program for 24 years. The newly formed task force will spend 1 year reviewing the program.
The players
Doug Coulson
He is the newly appointed Pre-Law adviser at Carnegie Mellon University.
Jay Devine
He served as the leader of the university's Pre-Law program for 24 years.
Kelli Maxwell
She is the chairperson of the newly formed Pre-Law Task Force.
Carnegie Mellon University
This is a private research university located in Pittsburgh that offers undergraduate and graduate programs.
The details
The university has established a Pre-Law Task Force to assess current advisory offerings and curricular support. While the program provides law school application guidance and hosts an annual lecture series, it does not currently provide LSAT tutoring.
Timeline
The appointment of Doug Coulson was announced on September 29, 2026.
The Pre-Law Task Force review will span the current academic year.
Market Landscape
The university's task force review follows standards set by the Association of American Law Schools pre-law advisory best practices. This transition reflects a broader institutional move to modernize academic support structures.
Students currently preparing for law school should note the pause of the LSAT fee waiver program for this academic year. The Pre-Law Society will continue to partner with TestMasters to offer LSAT preparation services.
The takeaway
Students should proactively monitor updates from the Pre-Law Task Force regarding potential changes to advisor support. Exploring external LSAT preparation partnerships remains a viable strategy while the university reviews its internal offerings.
Further reading
For more information on university staffing, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tartan.
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