Pepperdine Caruso Law Hosts Fourth Annual Belonging Awards
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law hosted the fourth annual Belonging Award on March 2. The ceremony recognized students, student organizations, staff, and faculty who exemplify diversity, inclusion, and belonging at Caruso Law, as well as alumni who promote diversity and belonging in their profession. Caruso Law community members, alumni, students, faculty, and staff attended the event at the Lighthouse on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus.
“The Belonging Awards has become a key event around diversity and belonging at Caruso Law precisely because it reflects that we value the hard work done by our awardees,” said dean of students, diversity, and belonging, Chalak Richards Guinses. “Celebrating each other encourages us to continue to build a legal profession where everyone belongs, and our awardees and keynote speaker reminds us that it is possible.”
The program began with welcome remarks from Guinses and Pepperdine University vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer J. Goosby Smith, which were followed by an invocation by Caruso Law dean Paul Caron. The keynote address was delivered by the 29th Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court Patricia Guerrero.
The 2024 Belonging Awards were presented to the following recipients:
- Alumnus Award: Danielle Price Sanders (JD '12)
- Young Alumnus Award: Sarah George (JD '19)
- Larry D. Kimmons Award: Leon Dixson (JD/MDR '10)
- Graduate Law Programs Alumnus Award: Rehana Jamal (LLM '22)
- Faculty Award: Professor Jeffrey R. Baker
- Staff Award: Michelle Cervantes
- Student Organization Award: Women’s Legal Association
- Faith and Justice Award: Keyana Young (JD candidate ‘24)
- Student Award: Jessica Khalili (JD candidate ‘25)
The Pepperdine Caruso Law community is rich in political, racial, and spiritual diversity which has formed a strong culture of connection among our students, faculty, and staff. Led by our faith-based values, we believe that each person’s voice and convictions enhance our community. Learn more at Caruso Law Diversity and Belonging.
