Kia Vernon

Kia Vernon, Professor of Law, received her Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University and her Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

After ten years in private practice, Kia returned to North Carolina Central School of Law to teach as an adjunct in the legal writing program. Two years later, she joined the tenure-track faculty. Her teaching portfolio spans a broad range of doctrinal and skills-based courses including Contracts, Family Law, Reproductive Rights, and Academic and Bar Support.

Throughout her academic career, Kia has held multiple leadership roles including Director of Academic Excellence, Associate Dean of Academic Success, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. In these roles, she led initiatives to enhance academic programming, revise curricula, and expand student support services. She played a pivotal role in creating and growing academic success programs that center student belonging, equity, and achievement.

Kia’s scholarship focuses on law student success, with a particular emphasis on equity in access and outcomes. In addition to her articles, she co-authored the book Investing in Your Success: A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Best Results in Your First Year of Law School to empower students, particularly those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, to thrive in law school.

With over two decades of experience as a lawyer, educator, and administrator, Kia remains deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments, mentoring future lawyers from marginalized communities, and working to create a more just and representative legal profession.