Diversity & Inclusion at Ave Maria School of Law

Ave Maria School of Law’s Diversity Mission:

• To provide a welcoming, well-informed, engaged and inclusive law school environment for all students, staff and faculty, which is free of unconscious biases, and pre-judgments.
• To provide an understanding and awareness that a one size fits all approach does not work, and that not all groups have the same experiences.
• To make sure that students are armed with the tools that prepare them to become change agents and informed leaders in the diversity and inclusion space as legal professionals.

Ave Maria School of Law, a devout Catholic law school, dedicated to educating lawyers with the finest of professional skills, along with developing the respect and sensitivity needed for diverse concerns. We strive to foster a campus culture that safeguards the dignity of the human person and the common good.  In our commitment to diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging, we have appointed a Diversity and Inclusion committee comprised of Deans, Faculty, Staff and Students, to help increase awareness, encourage open community dialogue and incorporate programs and events that develop new insights and broaden perspectives. 

Our road to a stronger inclusive environment throughout the campus is an ongoing process. The Ave Law Mission Statement recognizes that “the Ave Maria community of faculty, administrators, mentors, students, alumni and staff is based on the inherent dignity of every human being stemming from our creation in the image and likeness of God and raised to a new level by our redemption by Jesus Christ.” As a legal academic community, we are committed to understand and value differences.  

Ave Maria Law’s motto is Fides et Ratio–Faith and Reason.  

Our school was founded on the Faith of the Catholic religion, the Catholic name derives from Latin and Greek terms that mean ”universal.” Christ gave us this gift-he gave his life for all women and all men, young and old, poor and rich, white and black, and everyone in between, all shades, all sizes, all cultures. We are one human race. Our Faith teaches us to love one another.  To respect one another.  To treat each other with dignity.