Chalak Richards (JD '12) Appointed Assistant Dean of Student Life, Diversity, and Belonging

Pepperdine Caruso Law alumna Chalak Richards (JD '12), who served as Assistant Dean of Career Development from 2018–2020, has been named as the first Assistant Dean of Student Life, Diversity, and Belonging. Established in early 2020, the office of the assistant dean of student life, diversity, and belonging has three overarching goals: to create a community where all are welcomed and recognize they belong, to care for the well-being of each individual student, and to oversee the full student life experience. In her new role, Richards will develop programs to create a community that values and celebrates diversity and work on strategic initiatives and policies that strengthen diversity at all levels - student, faculty, and staff.

Richards will also lead initiatives to care for each student by coordinating faculty, peer, and alumni mentorship and by providing mental health and spiritual life support. She will also oversee student life events and student clubs to ensure that students have rich and meaningful community experiences.