University of Liberia Names First Woman Law Dean, Breaking 74-Year Barrier
- Michael T
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
MONROVIA, Oct 15 – For the first time in its 74-year history, the University of Liberia’s flagship Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law will be led by a woman. The appointment of Cllr. Dr. Niveda Cindy Ricks-Onuoha as Dean was announced Wednesday, ending a decades-long tradition of exclusively male leadership at the nation’s most prestigious law school.
Dr. Ricks-Onuoha, a veteran professor with more than two decades at the institution, steps into the deanship with a pledge to restore the school’s luster and strengthen international ambitions. “This is not just a personal milestone—it's a signal for every young woman watching that there are no ceilings here,” Ricks-Onuoha said, clutching the appointment letter inked by University President Dr. Layli Maparyan.
The new Dean’s trail is marked by service, perseverance and distinction—a titleholder as the first Liberian woman with a PhD in law. She counts a doctorate in international law from Ukraine among her credentials and previously served with the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
“Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf shattered the executive glass ceiling as the nation’s first female President. Today, I carry that torch at the Law School,” Ricks-Onuoha reflected, referencing her storied predecessors and noting her own rise through service under previous male deans.
President Maparyan described her choice as deliberate. “Cindy Ricks-Onuoha embodies a pragmatic vision and an unwavering commitment to moving the law school forward,” the President stated. “Her leadership ushers in a new era—not only for UL, but for all Liberian women with ambitions beyond tradition.”
Tasked to overhaul faculty research and advance capacity-building, Dr. Ricks-Onuoha outlined an expansive mission: “I want Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law mentioned in the same breath as Africa’s, even the world’s, top universities.”
Signaling an inclusive future for the institution, Maparyan emphasized gender parity as bedrock: “Her deanship is not just a win for women, but a clear sign the University of Liberia is charting a new course defined by merit and equality.”
“As women enter more rooms of decision-making, men should take note,” Ricks-Onuoha added with a wry smile. “We are coming.”
With her appointment, the University stands on the cusp of a new chapter—one where tradition yields to possibility and the future is brighter, and more balanced, than ever before.
__________________________________
Get Involved
Do you have additional facts to add to this insight or an opinion you would like to express?
Email Us
Comments