Local 12 News: Verna Williams Inspires as first Black dean at the UC College of Law

Black History Makers series airs for February

Local 12 journalist Kyle Inskeep spent a morning with Verna Williams, Dean and Nippert Professor of Law, at the UC College of Law discussing her historic first. Williams, who was named the first Black dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Law in April 2019, shared a bit of her journey with viewers. She leads Cincinnati Law, the fourth-oldest continuously operating law school in the country.

Williams attended Harvard Law School with former First Lady Michelle Obama and worked with Obama for two years in writing her book, "Becoming." She earned an undergraduate degree in Spanish from Georgetown University.  Williams joined UC as an assistant professor in 2001. She was named professor in 2006 and served as Judge Joseph P. Kinneary Professor of Law from 2013-2017.

Listen to Local 12 interview with Dean Williams online.

Learn more about her appointment online.

Featured image of Verna Williams, Dean and Nippert Professor of Law, at the UC College of Law taken by UC Creative + Brand.

Related Stories

1

Ohio nurses weigh in on proposed federal loan rule

December 12, 2025

Spectrum News journalist Javari Burnett spoke with UC Dean Alicia Ribar and UC nursing students Megan Romero and Nevaeh Haskins about proposed new federal student loan rules. Romero and Haskins, both seniors, were filmed in the College of Nursing’s Simulation Lab.

3

UC awarded nearly $1 million to help fight infant obesity spike

December 12, 2025

University of Cincinnati researcher Cathy Stough spoke with Spectrum News1 about a nearly $1 million National Institutes of Health grant awarded to UC to help prevent infant obesity through early nutrition support and family-based interventions.