Harvard Law School has recently appointed its first Black man as dean of students, alumnus Stephen L. Ball.
According to Harvard Law’s official blog, its former student is set to return to the prestigious institution after serving as a senior vice president and strategy lead at Wells Fargo.
“Stephen L. Ball ’10 has been appointed Harvard Law School’s new dean of students, starting Mar. 7,” they wrote. “He returns to Harvard from his most recent role at Wells Fargo where as a senior vice president and strategy lead, his work has recently focused on advancing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Ball reportedly expressed his gratitude for the new position, which he said would be a “tremendous opportunity” for him.
“This is such a tremendous opportunity on both a professional and personal level,” he said. “It builds on what I accomplished in my previous roles while also allowing me to embrace an entirely new challenge. Being able to bring all of that together for a place that I care so much about is deeply inspiring. I am honored to have the chance to impact the student experience at HLS and looking forward to innovating and improving upon the terrific foundation that’s already there.”
As dean of students, Ball would promote the “well-being” of Harvard Law School students and work with fellow university officials to “implement a strategic vision for how the office can most effectively support students.”
These tasks would include assisting them with new student and transfer orientations to commencement, helping them prepare for the Bar application process, and overseeing campus events, among other things.
The 36-year-old Southfield, Michigan native reportedly earned his first bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Michigan–in 2006 and 2007, respectively–before attending Harvard Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2010. Following his graduation, he joined multiple community service organizations, including a nonprofit based in his hometown, Young People Travel Global Edge, and Mount Vernon Star Scholars in Mount Vernon, NYC. He has also served as an executive sponsor of the NYC and NJ chapter of Wells Fargo’s Black employee resource network.
“Diversity is a touchstone part of my experience in Southfield,” he told C&G news in an interview published on Mar. 10. “Although I’m obviously African-American myself, growing up, I did not fully appreciate how special it was to be in a community composed primarily of middle-class African-Americans, while also living alongside people of other diverse backgrounds. You don’t find that kind of environment in many other places across the country.”
He add that his city was very diverse, which inspired him as a youngster and continued to do so as an adult.
“Southfield offered a rich mosaic of ethnic, racial and economic diversity, all situated alongside the larger sphere of Detroit’s unique history and complex socio-economic dynamics. Its unique diversity influenced me in my formative years, and it continues to shape my perception of how people from different backgrounds can all coexist, live and thrive together. At HLS, I will serve and represent all students — nearly 2,000 total — and these are students from across the country and around the world, coming from all walks of life.”
The Harvard Law School blog also reported that Morgan and Helen Chu Dean and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, John F. Manning ’85, and Dean of Student Services, Jessica Soban ’07, welcomed Ball’s return via a recent statement.
“Stephen is warm, generous, caring, and dedicated to supporting the well-being and flourishing of all our students,” they said. “His time as a student here, his broad knowledge of our profession, and his demonstrated commitment to mentorship and to fostering the aspirations and talents of others make him an excellent choice to be our new dean of students. So, please join us in welcoming Stephen back to Harvard Law School.”
Ball is the second Black person to serve as dean of students at Harvard Law School. Marcia Sells, appointed in 2015, was the first.
