Transition in our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

[OOC]

Dear Students, Faculty & Staff:

I write to share with you an important transition in our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

After 14 months of distinguished and dedicated service, Kendra Cadogan has stepped down as our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to join SUNY System Administration in Albany, where she will be an Associate in Policy and Program Evaluation working with Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Chief Diversity Officer, Teri Miller. During her time here, Kendra has worked tirelessly with community partners, University departments and with law administration, faculty, students and alumni to strategically promote and expand our continuing efforts to build a diverse and welcoming community. I am grateful to Kendra for all she has accomplished and thank her for her service. She will be missed.

I am also very pleased to announce the appointment of Tolulope “Tolu” Odunsi as our new Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Tolu earned her J.D. at the American University, Washington College of Law, where she graduated cum laude and served as Director for the Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition and as Senior Staffer for the American University International Law Review. Prior to joining UB School of Law, Tolu was an Associate Attorney at Gibson, McAskill & Crosby, LLP, and also previously served as a legal intern for the Hon. E. Jeannette Ogden on the New York State Supreme Court, and as a law clerk at the Reddy Law Firm. We are fortunate that Tolu has agreed to serve in this most important role, in addition to remaining on faculty as a lecturer in our LAWR Program. Tolu will build on the solid foundation already in place, including leading a 7th summer of Discover Law - our award-winning diversity-pipeline program - this June.

Please join me in thanking Kendra, and congratulating Tolu on her appointment.

Best,

Aviva Abramovsky
Dean and Professor of Law