Page 34 - Briefcase - University of Houston Law Center
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DIVERSITY
&
INCLUSION UH LAW CENTER NAMED DIVERSITY CHAMPION
BY INSIGHT INTO DIVERSITY MAGAZINE
he University of Houston Law Center has HEED Award recipients are selected on the
Treceived the distinction of Diversity basis of an extensive application, detailing
Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity demographics of the faculty and student
Magazine. The Law Center is the only body, recruitment practices, mentoring
law school in the country to receive and resource programs, community
the recognition. outreach and other efforts designed
According to the publication, to increase diversity.
“Diversity Champions exemplify The Law Center’s award-
an unyielding commitment to winning Pre-Law Pipeline
diversity and inclusion throughout Program was among the
their campus communities, across initiatives cited by the
academic programs, and at the magazine. The program
highest administrative levels.” prepares undergraduates who
Additionally, the Law Center has are first-generation, low-
received the 2021 Higher Education income or members of groups
Excellence in Diversity (HEED) underrepresented in the legal
Award for the sixth straight year. profession for a career in law.
As a recipient of the annual HEED 20 21 The initiative recently completed its
Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. seventh year of programming.
colleges and universities that demonstrate an “We continue to use the HEED award application as
outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — a way to assess the Law Center’s DEI practices and take
the Law Center will be featured in the October 2021 issue of stock of our accomplishments,” said Pipeline Program Director
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity- Kristen Guiseppi. “We remain steadfast in our efforts to promote
focused publication in higher education. and support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many, many thanks to
“It is an honor to receive the very prestigious HEED Award for the INSIGHT Into Diversity for continuously recognizing our efforts
sixth year in a row and now for the first time being named a Diversity and initiatives.”
Champion, the only law school in the nation with that designation,” “It is an honor for Insight Into Diversity to acknowledge the Law
said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “Many thanks to the hard work and Center’s diversity efforts for the sixth time,” added Professor
dedication of our faculty, staff and alumni who helped us achieve this Meredith J. Duncan, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
recognition. The Law Center’s mission has always been clear. We and Metropolitan Programs, who oversees the program. “We are
have historically provided opportunities for many first-generation delighted to be recognized, not only for what we are doing here at the
college students. Our faculty teach students to be successful lawyers Law Center, but also for our deliberate efforts toward diversifying the
and instill confidence in the students despite societal barriers that legal profession as a whole through our Pre-Law Pipeline Programs.”
they may face. The Pre-Law Pipeline Program is just one of many efforts at the Law
“The Law Center’s mission remains the same irrespective of the Center that promotes diversity, civil rights and social justice. The
complexion or background of our students. The only difference is Law Center also has a Diversity, Racial Justice, and Human Rights
that we have adapted our programming to meet the needs of these Initiative, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and offers
diverse students to ensure that they continue to be successful.” courses and clinical work for students that promote diversity and
service to underserved communities who need legal representation. ^
34 Briefcase 2021