Dean's Diversity Action Council

The Dean's Diversity Action Council was formed in 2019 to ensure that Duquesne University School of Law is a welcoming and supportive environment for all. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at the School of Law where our students of color and other historically underrepresented students flourish. We aim to create long-term, sustained progress toward justice, equity, and human dignity. We act in accordance with our Spiritan Mission as we seek to energize our minds, hearts and spirits to overcome the affliction of discrimination and racial inequality.

Promise Statement on Race & Justice

This Promise Statement is an affirmative statement against racism and a commitment to lead positive change. It re-affirms our Spiritan Mission and comes from a place of dignity, respect, and love for all. The statement calls us to speak with clarity around the harms of racism, and to be actively involved as faculty (on and off campus) in efforts to promote justice, equity, and human dignity.

Reflections from the Dean's Diversity Action Council

During the 2020-2021 Academic Year, the Dean's Diversity Action Council met monthly and were joined by the leaders of SBA and our student affinity groups. Each meeting began with a reflection, prayer, or poem by one of our Council members or students to ground us in our work together. We have compiled these reflections to share with our community, because they powerfully represent the challenges we face, the courage we seek, and our hope for a brighter future.

As always, we aim to create long-term, sustained progress toward justice, equity, and human dignity.

Dean April Mara Barton
April, 2021

Council Members

	April M. Barton Dean and Professor of Law lawdean@duq.edu		Rona Kaufman Associate Professor of Law kitchenr@duq.edu
	Beth Bauer Assistant Director of Student Organizations & International Programs bauerb3@duq.edu		Ella Kwisnek Associate Dean of Students and Assistant Professor of Legal Research & Writing kwisnek@duq.edu
	Marissa Meredith Assistant Professor of Law meredithm1@duq.edu		Aman Gebru Assistant Professor of Law gebrua@duq.edu
	Dana Neacsu DCLI & ACLL Director and Associate Professor of Legal Research Skills neacsue@duq.edu		Valerie J. Harper School of Law Registrar harper@duq.edu
	Grace Orsatti Director of the Externship Program, Pro Bono Program and Assistant Professor of Clinical Legal Education orsattig@duq.edu		Carrie Samarin Executive Assistant to the Dean samarinc@duq.edu
	Jalila Jefferson-Bullock Associate Professor of Law jeffersonbulloj@duq.edu		Kaitlin Yacob Associate Director of Admissions yacobk@duq.edu

Student Affinity Group Leaders: 2021-2022

Rene Balderas balderasr@duq.edu 2D President, Jewish Law Students Association
Antonio Bonnetty bonnettya@duq.edu 3D Vice President, Black Law Student Association
Stephon Burton burtons2@duq.edu   3D President, Student Bar Association
Mallory Friday fridaym1@duq.edu   4E Representative, Student Government Association
Falco Muscante   muscantef@duq.edu   2D Vice President, Christian Legal Society
Anabelle Nietupski   nietupskia@duq.edu   2D Vice President, Lambda Law Society
Brianna Schmid schmidb@duq.edu 3D Vice President (Day Division), Student Bar Association
Kaine Spitak spitakk@duq.edu 2D President, Lambda Law Society

Student Members

Ann Cheetham, 2E
Alan Hord, 3D
Claire Neiberg, 1D