In June, Jelani Jefferson Exum started as the Law School’s 10th dean and Rose DiMartino and Karen Sue Smith Professor of Law. In the interview that follows, she talks about her new role and the themes that guide her work as she leads St. John’s Law into its second century of excellence, prominence, and impact.

A couple of months into your deanship, how are you settling in at St. John’s Law?

My transition to St. John’s Law has been great! I’ve received an incredibly warm welcome from alumni, staff and administrators, students, and faculty. My schedule is already busy, of course, but it’s been wonderful to get to know the St. John’s Law community and to begin working on bringing our collective vision for the Law School to life.

You’ve introduced a few themes you use to organize your listening and learning about the Law School: Excellence, Prominence, and Impact. Can you share a bit about them? 

These vision themes capture both the legacy and the exciting potential of our Law School. St. John’s Law is known for educational excellence that propels its graduates into successful careers. I’m eager to work with our faculty and administrators to build on that foundation of excellence by investing in programs that help us stand apart from other law schools. Our in-house and partner clinics, academic centers, and innovative courses offer students unmatched opportunities to gain practical knowledge and skills in and beyond the classroom. It’s the perfect time to spotlight those offerings, foster excitement around them, and showcase the Law School’s prominence. In every way, St. John’s Law is a school of tremendous impact. Since our founding almost a century ago, we’ve transformed lives by opening the legal profession’s doors to a diverse student body that includes many first-generation college and law students. Guided by St. John’s Vincentian mission, our students learn to use their vocations to better society and to care for their communities. As its impact on our students and the legal profession continues to grow, I look forward to leading St. John’s Law into its next century of excellence and prominence.

What has surprised you most about the Law School as you’ve learned more about it?

I knew St. John’s had the reputation of being a warm and welcoming law school, but I’ve been wonderfully surprised by how that warmth permeates our community. I’ve spent my first months meeting with alumni, students, faculty, administrators, and staff to learn what they love about St. John’s and dream for its future. I’ve been most surprised by how genuinely happy people are to be a part of the Law School, and how much their dreams for it involve working with each other to achieve common goals.

You, your husband, and three young kids are busy settling into a new city, house, and routine. What have been the highlights of your move to Queens, the World’s Borough, so far?

I’ve most loved exploring Queens through my kids’ eyes because everything is so new for them.  They’ve been captivated by the cultural diversity, tried new foods, and taken the F train!  We’re currently on a mission to find our favorite pizza and ice cream spots. We’ve eaten a lot of pizza and ice cream!

In October, the Law School is hosting a Welcome Celebration honoring you. What does it mean to you to be the first Black dean and the just the second woman to lead St. John’s Law?

I’m extremely honored to be dean of St. John’s Law. As with any leader, my identity matters. I know that my personal and professional experiences and perspectives as a Black woman are valuable as I work with my new Law School colleagues, and with students and alumni, to strengthen what already makes St. John’s Law so great —excellence, prominence, and impact—in a manner that is inclusive of our entire, diverse community. I understand that, for many law students and alumni from underrepresented and marginalized communities, I’m a dean that understands their unique law school and career experiences and who has an appreciation for the type of mentorship and student opportunities that can make a difference. I look forward to amplifying the voices and perspectives of all our students, because I personally understand how important it is to create spaces in law school where all students can thrive. I’m thankful to the family and mentors who have guided me, supported me, and led me to this amazing opportunity. And I’m grateful to now be a part of the inspiring legacy and history of St. John’s Law.