Doctoral Student Michelle Gunter Receives Prestigious AALS “Unsung Hero” Award

The Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy (DASLP) is proud to celebrate Michelle Gunter, a doctoral student in the Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) PhD program at Morgan State University, on her selection as a recipient of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on Pre-Law and Admission to Law School’s Unsung Hero Award.

This national recognition honors individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their professional roles and who contribute meaningfully to increasing diversity and inclusion within legal education and the legal profession. Michelle’s nomination stood out among many received by the selection committee, underscoring the depth and impact of her work.

Michelle is an attorney and currently serves as Assistant Dean of Law School Admissions at the University of Baltimore, where she plays a critical role in shaping access, opportunity, and student success in legal education. Her work is widely recognized for its care, integrity, and commitment to equity—often carried out behind the scenes, but deeply felt by the students and colleagues she supports.

The AALS Unsung Hero Award recognizes leadership that is not always visible but is essential to building inclusive institutions. Michelle’s professional practice exemplifies this spirit, reflecting the values she continues to deepen through her doctoral studies in higher education leadership.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Michelle’s accomplishments and the national recognition of her leadership. Her work reflects the very best of scholar-practitioner leadership and the mission of DASLP to prepare equity-centered leaders who transform institutions from the inside out.