She was the law school's first-ever dean
Toronto Metropolitan University has re-appointed Donna E. Young to a second term as Lincoln Alexander School of Law dean.
Young’s new term commences on July 1 and will last five years. She was the inaugural dean of the law school, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As inaugural dean of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Young has provided dynamic and thoughtful leadership and vision. Under her oversight, the school has grown to become a model for legal education that is more accessible, equitable and technologically advanced,” said Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, TMU’s provost and academic vice-president, in a statement. “Despite the school opening during the pandemic, Young fostered a strong virtual community, with students establishing over 40 clubs and associations.”
Young has more than 30 years of experience in legal academia. She concentrated on law and inequality, race and gender discrimination, and academic freedom.
She made history at the Albany Law School as the first Black woman to be granted tenure and to receive an endowed professorship. She also became a fellow in Cornell Law School's Gender, Sexuality, and Family Project.
Young was a litigator at Cornish Roland Barristers & Solicitors in Toronto before going into legal academy. She was also a consultant at the Ontario Human Rights Commission and for the legal department of the City of New York Mayor's Office of Labor Relations.
She obtained her BSc (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Toronto, her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University and her LL.M. from Columbia University School of Law.
“We look forward to Young continuing to lead the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in its growth and success, fostering a progressive legal education that meets the evolving demands of the legal profession and society,” Iannacito-Provenzano said.
The review committee that facilitated Young’s reappointment included Lincoln Alexander School of Law professor Idil Atak, Ted Rogers School of Management entrepreneurship and strategy professor Wendy Cukier, Lincoln Alexander School of Law student Kingsley Eze, Faculty of Community Services dean Kiaras Gharabaghi, Lincoln Alexander School of Law academic associate dean Graham Hudson, Ted Rogers School of Management law and business associate professor GiL Lan, Lincoln Alexander School of Law professor Anver Levin, Faculty of Arts psychology professor Marcia Moshé, and Lincoln Alexander School of Law marketing and communications director Rekha Sadasivan.
