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Hofstra Law

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Hofstra Law

Diversity Matters to Us

Hofstra Law is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that embraces faculty, staff, and students of all backgrounds.

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Our Mission

We recognize the role that academic institutions can play in creating and exacerbating disparities in education. We also appreciate that excellence can only be achieved in an environment marked by genuine respect, compassion, dignity, and opportunity for every individual. We aim to be a place that reflects the diverse communities that we are a part of and serve - one which enables diverse voices to be authentically heard and valued. 

We hold ourselves accountable to these commitments, and we pledge to make the sustained efforts necessary to embody our core values. To that end, we have taken steps, and are implementing plans for the future, to build a foundation and comprehensive strategy in furtherance of our ongoing mission to improve. We want to promote transparency around these efforts, and this webpage is intended for that purpose.

Along the way, as we examine ourselves and strive to grow, we realize that we will face disappointments, frustrations, and discomforts. But if we come together with the unwavering awareness that diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to our success as a law school, we will ultimately prevail in these endeavors. We welcome the support and feedback of our entire community as we strive towards meaningful change.

Read Resolution of the Faculty and Administration

Student Organizations

Affinity Groups

  • Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
  • Black Law Student Association
  • Latino/a American Law Student Association
  • Muslim Law Student Association
  • OUTLaw
  • Social Justice Alliance
  • South Asian Law Student Association
  • Women of Color Collective

Students at the Student Fair

Calendar

Events and Programs

The Law School regularly organizes and promotes relevant and compelling programming around pressing diversity issues. These events are designed to engage with diversity education and to reflect the perspectives of diverse communities.

View Upcoming Events

View Past Events

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Recent News

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Latest Videos

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“More than ever, we need to unite as one. This is a community problem that demands a community response. To that end, I have directed our DEI Council to formulate both an immediate and longer-range inclusive strategy, constructed in full cooperation with our students and the entire law school community.” — Judge Gail Prudenti, Dean

View Full Message from the Dean

Careers

Career Development

The Office of Career Services works together with students to identify the diversity and inclusion opportunities that are tailored to your specific interests.

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Financial Aid

External Scholarships

The Law School maintains a database of external scholarship opportunities for students, including scholarships specifically intended for diverse students and those who make meaningful contributions to diversity and inclusion initiatives.

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Hofstra Law Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council

Name Position/Title
Tara-Marie Desruisseaux, Co-Chair Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
Maryam Franzella, Co-Chair Associate Professor of Law
Lisa Monticciolo, Co-Chair Dean of Students and Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Adonza Anderson Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management
Judith Black Senior Director of Event Management and CLE Director
Alafair S. Burke Professor of Law
Judge Fern Fisher Visiting Associate Professor of Law
Akilah Folami Professor of Law
Jennifer Gundlach Emily and Stephen Mendel Distinguished Professor of Law
Julian Ku Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty Director of International Programs, and Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law
Elizabeth Nevins Clinical Professor of Law
Lauris Wren Clinical Professor of Law, Director of Clinical Programs and Director of LGBT+ Fellowship
Ellen Yaroshefsky Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development, Howard Lichtenstein Distinguished Professor of Legal Ethics, and Executive Director of the Monroe H. Freedman Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics

View DEI Alumni Committee