RWU Law Faculty Honored with National Award for Advancing Diversity in Legal Education

Two faculty members from Roger Williams University School of Law have earned national recognition for their leadership in integrating equity and inclusion into legal education.

Nicole P. Dyszlewski, professor and assistant dean for curricular innovation, and Suzanne Harrington-Steppen, clinical professor and associate director of pro bono programs, were recently named recipients of the 2025 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award from the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The award honors their co-editorship of the groundbreaking book Integrating Doctrine & Diversity: Beyond the First Year.
 

Dyszlewski and Harrington-Steppen share the award with fellow co-editors Raquel J. Gabriel of CUNY School of Law and Genevieve B. Tung of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School's Biddle Law Library. Together with contributions from more than 40 legal scholars and practitioners, the team produced a powerful collection of essays, case studies, and teaching tools aimed at embedding diversity and critical perspectives into upper-level law courses.

“This award is a powerful affirmation to all the changemakers—our editorial team, the teachers, librarians, disrupters, and authors who wrote these essays—that integrating diversity skills into the law school curriculum matters,” said Dyszlewski. “And that together, we are shaping a more equitable and just legal system.”

The win is particularly meaningful for RWU Law: it marks the first time a member of the school’s faculty has received the Joseph L. Andrews Award in its decades-long history.

AALL President Cornell H. Winston praised the editors’ work as both timely and enduring: 
“Integrating Doctrine & Diversity gives law faculty meaningful tools to bring inclusion and equity into the classroom. It’s a thoughtful, practical, and lasting contribution to the profession.”

Designed to go beyond first-year legal training, the book explores how topics of race, identity, power, and justice intersect with core subjects such as criminal law, constitutional law, property, and civil procedure. It also includes guidance for experiential courses like legal writing, research, and client counseling. The result is a practical teaching resource for faculty committed to ensuring their classrooms reflect the diversity of the world their students will serve.

Dean Gregory W. Bowman called the recognition “a proud moment” for RWU Law:
“Nicole and Suzy exemplify the heart of our mission—advancing justice, leading with purpose, and preparing our students to meet the demands of a diverse society and profession. This award is a testament to their national leadership and to RWU Law’s commitment to innovation in legal education.”