Dean’s Leadership Awards Recognizes Outstanding Student Leaders

The Dean’s Student Leadership Award recognizes outstanding first- and second-year student leaders. The Award values traditional and non-traditional forms of leadership in co-curricular and extra-curricular spaces, including:

• Leadership on Jackman Law committees, clubs, organizations, journals and student government;
• Leadership related to equity and diversity at the law school and/or in the legal community;
• Encouragement of fellow students to become involved in co-curricular and/or extra-curricular activities; and
• Contribution to a sense of community at Jackman Law.

“I am thrilled to recognize our students’ extraordinary leadership, which helps shape our community for the better,” said Dean and University Professor Jutta Brunnée, James Marshall Tory Dean’s Chair.

The recognized students are now in their next year of study. 

The Dean’s Student Leadership Award recipients for 2025 are:

Ufuoma Akalusi

Ufuoma has shown extraordinary leadership as Co-President of the Black Law Students’ Association, where she helps create meaningful supports for incoming students and demystifies the law school experience through events, alumni dinners, and firm hops for Black 1Ls across Toronto. She is a peer mental health mentor and has built a culture of care at Jackman Law. Through her leadership and everyday interactions, she demonstrates empathy, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to the well-being of her peers.

Rachel Brouwer

Rachel is extremely dedicated to human rights and gender justice. Through her work with the International Human Rights Program’s working group on gender apartheid in Afghanistan and with the Legal Resources Centre in Johannesburg, she has used the law to advocate for women’s rights and environmental justice. She has served as Editor-in-Chief of The Brief at the Canadian Law Review and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Rights Review. She has also mentored undergraduate women on their paths to law school through the U of T Women’s Student Association, creating space for others to succeed.

Humza Khan

Through his work as an Orientation Coordinator, Law Follies Co-Director, and Executive Member of the Muslim Law Students Association, Humza has helped foster connection and joy for his peers. He has worked with LAWS as a Youth Summer Program Educator and with Jackman Law’s Black Future Lawyers Program as an LSAT tutor, as well as in numerous volunteer positions in the faculty. He continues to work at the Toronto Crown Attorney’s Office. His commitment to advocacy, education, and inclusion shines through all his work.

Kiwan (“Paul”) Kim

Paul is a compassionate and engaged leader. He served as a 1L representative for the Students’ Law Society, as an active member of numerous student organizations, and as an associate editor for the Journal of Law and Equality. His leadership within the Korean Law Students Association strengthens ties between the law school and the broader U of T community, including with the medical school and other professional and cultural networks. He also serves on the Social Finance Committee of the SLS. Paul has contributed immeasurably to the student experience at Jackman Law.

Betel Woldu

Betel is Co-President of the Black Law Students’ Association and has shown leadership and dedication to advancing opportunities for Black students at Jackman Law. She helped expand the personal statement review program, collaborates with BLSA chapters across the country, and was instrumental in introducing office hours for Black applicants, making the path to law school more accessible. She has shown leadership through tireless advocacy, innovative programming, and collaboration with law firms in creating mentorship opportunities for students.

Award recipients are invited to a lunch with the Dean and receive a special certificate recognizing their accomplishment.

Photos courtesy of the awardees.