Noted bioethics and health law scholar Kimberly Mutcherson is the first woman, first African-American and first LGBTQ person to be named co-dean of Rutgers Law School in Camden, N.J.
A graduate of Columbia Law School, where she co-founded the Women of Color Coalition and was co-coordinator of the Women of Color and the Law Conference, Mutcherson said that the three firsts are a bit overwhelming. And as exciting as it is, she’s a bit stunned that in 2019 there are still so many firsts.
As a law student, Mutcherson sought out role models of color and female role models, so she welcomes filling that role for law students. She said that she understands as the first female law dean of Rutgers, which also includes a Newark campus, she has the opportunity to have a large scale impact on legal education.
“It means a tremendous amount for me to be able to play that role for younger women, for women of color, for LGBT folks, whoever feels they don’t see themselves represented,” she said in an interview with Diverse.
Mutcherson is a noted scholar on issues of reproductive justice, assisted reproduction and abortion.
“Kim Mutcherson is a collaborative leader who is positioned to build upon the momentum and energy of Rutgers Law,” said Rutgers University—Camden Chancellor Phoebe A. Haddon. “She is passionate about the value of a legal education that prepares creative thinkers who are ready to be leaders in virtually every aspect of our society. She sees with clarity the role of the law in protecting individual rights.”
Being a law professor wasn’t Mutcherson’s initial career goal — she was a public interest lawyer — but once she stepped into the classroom, found a great fit. She said that the topics she covers in the classroom enables her to push law students to examine their own beliefs and interests.
