We at the University of Iowa College of Law take pride in our longstanding commitment to access, opportunity, and diversity. In 1855, the University of Iowa became the first public university to admit men and women on an equal basis. Following in that tradition, the College of Law has led many diversity and equity initiatives. In the 1870s we became one of the first law schools in the nation to grant a law degree to a woman (Mary Beth Hickey, 1873), to an African-American (Alexander Clark, Jr., 1879), and to an international student (Moung Edwin, 1879).

We believe diversity is integral to our educational philosophy and core mission—to prepare culturally proficient graduates who are capable of intellectual inquiry, critical and reflective thinking, and engagement. Iowa Law is a stimulating place to study, teach, work, and learn to serve the public and the legal profession. We embrace the commonalities and differences of human experience. Thoughtful discourse and a broad exchange of ideas facilitate a better understanding of ourselves, each other, and the issues and controversies of the day. 

All are welcome and respected here. 

Our community celebrates diversity in all of its forms; each one of us is enriched by exposure to different beliefs, opinions, world views, abilities, backgrounds, and identities. We believe that awareness and understanding of these differences can promote lifelong collaboration and trust within and among the communities that define and animate us.