The Association of American Law Schools’ (AALS) Section on Academic Support Award was presented to Ruth Ann McKinney, clinical professor of law emeritus and former director of the Writing and Learning Resources Center at UNC School of Law, during the 2014 AALS meeting in New York Jan. 2-5.
The section award recognizes an individual who has made “significant or long-term contributions to the development of the field of law student academic support.”
According to one of the nominations for McKinney, “[She] has made life better for countless law students and academic success professionals. In so doing, she has enriched the legal community, not just regionally, but nationally.”
In the mid-1990s, McKinney’s book “Legal Research: A Practical Guide and Self-Instructional Workbook” was at the forefront of recognizing the connection between law student success and self-regulated learning. She is also widely recognized for her books, “Reading Like a Lawyer: Time-Saving Strategies for Reading Law Like an Expert” and “Core Grammar for Lawyers.”
“I know I speak for myself and many others in recognizing Ruth as one of the many ASP professionals who tirelessly mentor those just starting their careers in Academic Support,” said Louis N. Schulze Jr., professor of law and director of academic support at New England Law School and chair of the AALS Section on Academic Support. “Ruth’s dedication to supporting new colleagues is emblematic of the essence of our wonderful community. This award is truly well-deserved.”
-January 6, 2014