The University of Wisconsin Law School is pleased to announce that Michael States will serve as the inaugural associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this newly created role, States will lead the Law School’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with an emphasis on racial and social justice.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central values in everything we do,” says UW Law Dean Dan Tokaji. “By joining our leadership team, Dean States will help us innovate and build strong relationships within the Law School community and beyond. Our students have long advocated for a DEI dean, and we are thrilled that Dean States has agreed to join us at UW Law.”
States will support the Law School’s diverse student body, expand existing programs and services, and launch anti-racism initiatives that can be a model for law schools across the country. He will also play a leading role in making UW Law a more inclusive community and fostering dialogue across people’s diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
“Through the interview process and learning more about this incredible community, I have been so impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm for creating a more inclusive, stronger community in the Law School and beyond,” says States. “I am eager to join the Law School community and build out what we can accomplish together.”
Law schools play a critical role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, says Tokaji.
“UW Law aspires to educate change agents, lawyers, and future leaders who are prepared to tackle complex issues and advance justice in communities across the state, the nation, and the world,” says Tokaji. “Dean States will help us accomplish that core component of our mission.”
States comes to UW–Madison from the The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he served as assistant dean for admissions, diversity, and inclusion. He assumed the position of associate dean for DEI at UW Law on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.