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
Ohio looks to fast-track wastewater discharge permits
December 16, 2025
Bradford Mank, James B. Helmer Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with WVXU for a story about a proposal by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to streamline the way wastewater discharge permits are issued to data centers.
Tariff troubles for online shoppers
December 16, 2025
This year’s new regulations on tariffs and customs are leaving holiday shoppers with unexpected fees on some of their purchases, according to recent reporting by WLWT. Associate Dean of Impact and Partnerships for the University of Cincinnati’s Lindner College of Business Charles Sox spoke to WLWT about why shoppers are only just now feeling the impact, despite these policies being in effect for months.
Tips to avoid headaches this holiday season
December 15, 2025
A University of Cincinnati migraine expert offered a list of potential headache triggers around the holidays, and how you can try to avoid them, to 91.7 WVXU News. "There are a number of different factors that make this a very headache provocative time," said Vincent Martin, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine and director of the Headache and Facial Pain Center at the Gardner Neuroscience Institute.