Shirley A. Jefferson

Shirley A. Jefferson is the Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Relations and Professor of Law at Vermont Law School. She is the institution's first vice president of color, serving since 1999. Her roles include advising senior leadership on community and government relations, diversity initiatives, and intercultural understanding. She teaches courses on race and the law and previously held roles such as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Title IX Coordinator.

Education: JD from Vermont Law School (1986); BS (summa cum laude) from Southeastern University. She was a Debevoise Family Scholarship recipient and founded the Minority Student Group at Vermont Law School, whose Distinguished Service Award bears her name.

Research interests focus on race, civil rights, and equitable access to legal education. She has been a national speaker and advisor, integrating legal practice with advocacy for diversity. Awards include the CLEO Edge Diversity Award and HBCU Pre-Law Hall of Fame Honoree status.

Jefferson’s career includes roles as general counsel for the United Black Fund and legislative assistant to Council Member Wilhelmina J. Rolark. She has mentored student organizations (35+ groups) and led DEI initiatives. Her personal history includes integrating her Selma, Alabama high school and meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a child.