Baylor Law School Assistant Dean Receives President's Award of Merit from TYLA

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Heather A. Creed, assistant dean of professional development and student relations at Baylor Law School, received the Texas Young Lawyers Association's (TYLA) President's Award of Merit at a dinner held by the TYLA in mid-June in Fort Worth.

Creed received the award for her help facilitating a TYLA project that would expose Central Texas-area high school students to diversity issues. She created the Central Texas Diversity Forum, which will be shared with students across Texas for years to come.

"Heather Creed is a glowing example of a young lawyer who selflessly goes above and beyond to ensure that educational experiences are not just good, but great," the TYLA wrote in its award citation. "Heather was asked to help facilitate [this] TYLA project... She took the Central Texas Diversity Forum and not only helped effectively educate students on diversity, but also provided each student with a comprehensive glimpse into their future lives as attorneys by creating three new mini-projects that can be implemented in roll-outs across the state. Heather didn't know it, but she created and tested replicable project that will potentially be shared with thousands of students across Texas in years to come."

The Central Texas Diversity Forum is a pilot program intended to not only educate students about many of the important issues facing our youth today but inspire an entire generation of Central Texans to involve themselves in their school and community through civic participation. The free program will be implemented in two phases; both phases will count toward TEKS and TAKS requirements.

Phase one consisted of an invitation-only summit hosted by Baylor Law School in early spring. Students who took part in the summit watched a special presentation of TYLA's Emmy Award-winning documentary They Had a Dream Too, heard speeches by individuals featured in the film and met several prominent leaders of the legal profession. Following lunch, students took part in three break-out sessions, including a mock trial, a mock law school class and a group debate on Affirmative Action. The sessions were designed to implement the concepts of civic duty, diversity and the law shared during the general session.

"This recognition of Heather is richly deserved," said Baylor Law Dean Brad Toben. "We stress to our students that the study of law is a profession of service. Heather has taken that mantra to heart and has created a program that will impact youth in a positive way and has introduced them to our noble profession. We are very proud of her - her creativity, her caring and her energy."

Creed is a 2002 graduate of Baylor Law School and joined the Career Development Office in May 2007. Her primary responsibilities include professional development programming, connecting students with public interest opportunities and helping develop students' and graduates' long-term careers. Prior to joining the CDO, Creed worked in admissions and recruiting for the law school and as the director of student relations. Before attending Baylor Law, she taught eighth grade algebra in Miami.

For more information, contact Creed at (254) 710-7617 or Heather_Creed@baylor.edu.

Contact: Julie Carlson, Baylor Law School, (254) 710-6681