UBC announced today that Kaila Mikkelsen, Allard Law’s Assistant Dean, Students, has been recognized with the President’s Staff Award.
The awards honour exceptional contributions in areas of particular importance to UBC. Mikkelsen was recognized in the category of Advancing Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence.
“It’s deeply meaningful and humbling to me to receive this award,” says Mikkelsen, whose career at Allard Law has spanned nearly 20 years.
During her time at the law school, Mikkelsen has demonstrated a deep commitment to building an equitable and inclusive environment for all law students. Her behind-the-scenes work to lead initiatives aimed at anti-racism and inclusivity has had lasting impact on the Allard Law community.
“Whether guiding students through academic accommodations or personal crises, Kaila ensures no student is left without support,” says law student Helen Yang, one of Mikkelsen's nominators. “She goes beyond her role as Assistant Dean, Students, to foster an inclusive, empowering and compassionate environment at Allard Law.”
In 2024, Mikkelsen proposed and led the development of the law school’s IDEA Leaders Pre-Orientation Program, which aims to build community and belonging among incoming students from persistently, historically and systemically marginalized groups and allies.
Yang, who first met Kaila as a first-year law student in the IDEA Leaders program, says Mikkelsen’s “warmth, encouragement, and belief in every student’s potential” set the tone for her experience. “From day one, Kaila made sure we all felt seen, heard and supported."
To encourage greater diversity of law school applicants, Mikkelsen has also made it a priority to recruit Student Ambassadors from groups that are historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including first-generation students, students from socio-economically underrepresented groups, and students who identify as Indigenous, Black or as a person of colour. For many prospective law students, speaking with a current law student through the Ambassador Program provides their first look at what life in law school would look like – and it can be encouraging to connect with a peer who has overcome similar barriers in their path to law school, Mikkelsen says.
Mikkelsen has also worked to integrate EDI programming into the law school experience for all students in meaningful ways. Over the years, she’s led the development of EDI-focused events and workshops, as well as a peer tutor program. Mikkelsen says having the chance to develop each of these programs and initiatives has been a “true highlight” of her time at Allard.
“It’s so important that law students are empowered to bring their full identities to their learning and professional formation,” adds Mikkelsen. “My hope is that our work to support students at the law school is also carried into the legal profession more broadly.”
