Western New England University (WNE) is delighted to announce the addition of Jodie Roure, JD, PhD, to its prestigious Board of Directors. The appointment brings a distinguished educator, advocate, and leader to WNE's governing body.
Dr. Roure is an accomplished associate professor, project investigator, and founding director of the Rising Scholars of Justice Pipeline Program. She also serves as the founding director of the University of Houston Law Center Pre-law Pipeline Program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and holds the position of president & CEO of Hurricane Maria Assistance & Relief Institutional Alliance, Inc. (H-MARIA), a 501c3 organization.
With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Dr. Roure's impact on education and diversity is undeniable. Since 2000, she has been a dedicated faculty member at CUNY's John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In 2004, she founded the Rising Scholars of Justice Pipeline Program, a comprehensive pre-law preparatory initiative that collaborates with U.S. law schools to promote diversity within the legal profession. Dr. Roure's efforts have secured law school admission and enrollment for hundreds of low-income, first-generation, diverse, and underrepresented students across the United States, with millions of dollars in combined scholarship awards.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Roure to Western New England University's Board of Directors," said WNE Board Chair Kenneth Rickson. "Her remarkable achievements in education and her unwavering commitment to diversity align seamlessly with our institution's values. Dr. Roure's expertise and passion will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of fostering excellence in education and ensuring inclusivity. We look forward to her invaluable insights and leadership as we continue to advance our university's vision."
Recognized nationally for her commitment to diversity in legal education, Dr. Roure has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Franklin H. William Judicial Commission Pipeline to Equity in Legal Education Award, the University of Notre Dame School of Law Graciela Olivarez Award, and the Latino Judges Association's Honorable Frank Torres Award.
In her role as CEO of H-MARIA, Dr. Roure leads initiatives to aid disaster victims and provide essential support to minority and underrepresented populations, with a particular focus on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Her collaboration with the American College of Surgeons resulted in the creation of the Operation Giving Back Puerto Rico program, offering free surgical services to the uninsured. Dr. Roure's dedication to diversity extends to the medical field through the creation of a Diversity in Medicine Pipeline Program, supporting aspiring doctors in Puerto Rico.
Beyond academia, Dr. Roure has worked with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on mass incarceration campaigns and has served as a Scholar in Residence at the Inter-American University School of Law, Puerto Rico.
Dr. Roure holds a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law and a Ph.D. in American Studies with a focus on Intercultural Studies and International Human Rights. She is a former United States Supreme Court intern who brings a wealth of legal and human rights expertise to the WNE Board of Directors.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Roure to Western New England University's Board of Directors,” said WNE Board Chair Kenneth Rickson. “Her remarkable achievements in education and her unwavering commitment to diversity align seamlessly with our institution's values. Dr. Roure's expertise and passion will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of fostering excellence in education and ensuring inclusivity. We look forward to her invaluable insights and leadership as we continue to advance our university's vision."
