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Dean's Desk: Shining A Light On The Accomplishments Of Iu Maurer's Faculty, Christiana Ochoa

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

As dean of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, I have the privilege of seeing howour community makes a positive impact on local, state, national, and international affairsevery day.

Our students—deeply involved in their studies—still find time to donate thousands of hoursof pro bono service every single year. Our alumni, 12,000-plus strong, bring pride to ourschool and the legal profession every day. And our faculty, tasked with shaping the attorneysof tomorrow, devote extensive time inside and outside the classroom, ensuring our legacy ofproducing ethical, practice-ready lawyers by the time they graduate.

But our faculty do more than that. I …

Ochoa, Big Ten Law Deans Pledge Support For Diversity Ahead Of Scotus Affirmative Action Ruling, The Indiana Lawyer

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

s the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hand down a decision that could fundamentally alter affirmative action, a group of law school deans — including Dean Christiana Ochoa of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law — has issued a statement affirming the deans’ commitment to diversity.

The group of 15 deans represent Big Ten law schools, including IU Maurer. In their statement — which IU Maurer posted to its official Facebook page — the deans say they are “joining together to affirm our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through legally permissible means, regardless of the outcome of …

‘Radical Turn Away’ From Admissions Tests? Deans Say Claims Of Increased Diversity May Be Unfounded, Tyler Fenwick

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

Indiana University Maurer School of Law Dean Christiana Ochoa said those who want to do away with requiring law school admission tests for diversity’s sake have it backward.

The idea that law school diversity would increase if tests like the LSAT and Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, became an optional part of the admissions process is unfounded, Ochoa said.

Instead, she said she’s worried the opposite is true — that the move would actually hurt diversity.

And she is not alone.

Ochoa was one of 60 deans to sign a letter last September pushing back against the proposed change to …

Dean's Desk: Recognizing Iu Maurer Alumnae Who Have Made A Difference, Christiana Ochoa

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to welcome future law students as part of our annual Admitted Student Day. From their seats in the Kathleen and Ann DeLaney Moot Court Room, they look to the front of the room where they see the portraits of four trailblazing alumnae who have made indelible marks on the judiciary. Juanita Kidd Stout ’48, Sue Shields ’61, Linda Chezem ’71 and Loretta Rush ’83 all face out into the sea of newly admitted students who one day hope to forge paths of their own.As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I wanted to …

Dean’S Desk: The Iu Maurer School Of Law And The Indiana Supreme Court, Christiana Ochoa

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

On Nov. 1, my first day as the 17th dean of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, I attended the robing ceremony for Derek Molter, Indiana’s 111th Supreme Court justice. This public ceremony was an opportunity for those in attendance to celebrate Justice Molter’s formal swearing in, which had occurred privately on Sept. 1. For the IU Maurer School of Law, it was also an opportunity to celebrate Justice Molter joining three other IU Maurer alumni on the five-person court.

Established in 1816, the court precedes our law school by about 30 years. Still, for most of Indiana’s history, …

'I Really Love This Law School': Q&A With New Iu Maurer Dean Ochoa, Jordan Morey

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

Displayed throughout Christiana Ochoa’s office are sentimental photos and items she’s collected from across the globe, but the most eye-catching print is propped behind her desk.

The new Indiana University Maurer School of Law dean has a red, blue and beige poster prominently displayed in her headquarters, depicting a Latina woman with a Mona Lisa-esque smile and a rose in her hair with the words, “WE THE PEOPLE — DEFEND DIGNITY,” typed across the bottom.

“To me, it’s a great piece of art with a Latino woman who clearly is confident, and confident in her belief that we are a …

New Dean Of Maurer Signifies Continued Growth To Iu Community, Matthew Fort

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

Christiana Ochoa was recently announced as the Dean of the Maurer School of Law. She is the first Latina dean of the law school. This announcement was celebrated by the Latinx student and staff community here at IU, as they expressed their support for her and look forward to the culture she’ll facilitate at the law school.

Ochoa pointed to the law school’s legacy being important and central to academic discussions and legal evolution as reason for her excitement to take this position. With its activities in providing top-notch advice to the bench and the bar, the law school occupies …

Ochoa Selected As New Dean Of Iu Maurer, First Person Of Color To Lead Law School, Jordan Morey

Christiana Ochoa (7/22-10/22 Acting; 11/2022-)

The next dean of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law will come from in house.

IU Maurer announced longtime faculty member Christiana Ochoa as the 17th dean in the law school’s history on Thursday.

Ochoa, who has served as interim dean since July, will move into the full-time deanship at the Bloomington school effective Nov. 1. She is the first person of color and the second woman to be named dean in IU Maurer’s history.

Additionally, according to IU Maurer, Ochoa is the eighth Latina ever to serve as the dean of a U.S. law school.