How did you become interested in law?
I earned my undergraduate degree in electrical and biomedical engineering, and found that academic environment challenging. That experience made me seek out a space where justice, mutual humanity, and interconnectedness were central. I applied to law school, telling myself I鈥檇 give it six weeks. If it didn鈥檛 work out, I鈥檇 move on鈥攎aybe travel. But I loved it, and I stayed.
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What has surprised you the most about the dean鈥檚 job so far?
So many things! I鈥檝e been surprised by how much fun I鈥檓 having meeting alumni鈥攎any of whom are former students, now all grown up and thriving in the roles they were meant to play in the world. The sheer volume of emails has been astounding, but it鈥檚 also revealed just how many incredible activities our professors and students are involved in. It鈥檚 both surprisingly convenient and socially awkward to have a bathroom (with shower) in my office. And I鈥檝e been struck by the meaningful role 91直播 Law has played鈥攁nd continues to play鈥攊n people鈥檚 lives: preparing them for dream careers, introducing them to new cities and cultures, leading them to life partners, or teaching invaluable life lessons.
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What鈥檚 your priority for the coming year?
My main priority this year is to support our faculty on the path of healing. After speaking with our community for the last few months, I think there鈥檚 a lot we can do to strengthen dialogue at the Faculty between students about difficult issues. I also aim to reinforce excellence in the areas where we already shine, like educating jurists in multiple legal traditions and through experiential learning. I鈥檇 also like to continue working on how we prepare students for a future where AI is omnipresent in legal work.
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How do you recharge outside of work?
I recharge by shutting down my phone and computer, spending time with beings I love, having adventures, crafting or pretending to be handy, doing attic yoga, laughing, and cooking (less of a hobby than a necessity with two tweens, but let鈥檚 pretend I do it to recharge).
I also love reading murder mysteries and historical fiction. I spent much of the winter reading Hilary Mantel鈥檚 Wolf Hall trilogy, which left me grateful for many things: fresh food, the rule of law, dating apps, divorce laws, and psychologists who help us navigate the impulses that make us feel violent. (The books follow Thomas Cromwell鈥檚 rise under King Henry VIII鈥攕poiler alert: he鈥檚 eventually beheaded.) The books also shine a light on the often difficult, poorly rewarded work administrators do behind the scenes!
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Can we see a picture of your dog?
Of course! Here's Phantom, posing with my daughter, in his Robin Hood costume, and crashing a tea party.听
