Tulane Law names familiar face as Dean of Students

Long-time Tulane Law Assistant Director of Admissions Emily Wojna-Hodnett has become the law school’s new Assistant Dean of Students, interim Dean Sally Richardson announced.

Wojna-Hodnett (L ‘14, SoPA '20, SoPA '22) succeeds former Assistant Dean of Students Abigail Gaunt who stepped down as the head of the Student Affairs Office this spring. Gaunt, a beloved administrator, served in the role for nine years and was on the frontlines of helping students navigate the challenges of law school, including through the national pandemic, recent hurricanes and natural disasters, as well as the changes in the legal profession.  

“Abby led our Student Affairs Office with dedication, drive, grace, humility, compassion, and thoughtfulness,” said Richardson. “Being the Dean of Students is not an easy task; the role inherently requires that the individual serve as a first responder during the most challenging moments of a law student’s academic career.  Abby filled the role of Dean of Students beautifully and she will certainly be missed by students, faculty, and staff.”

Richardson lauded Wojna-Hodnett's ability to lead and her dedication to students.

“Change brings new opportunity and we could not be more excited to welcome Emily to the role of Dean of Students,” Richardson said.  “Emily has been a dedicated Tulanian since first arriving at the Law School as a 1L.  As Director of Admissions, Emily dutifully served Tulane, helping prospective students as they navigated everything from the application process, the decision to attend Tulane Law School, and then moving to New Orleans to start their law school career.  She is an incredibly capable administrator and is filled with compassion for our students and the drive to help them make the most out of their time in Weinmann Hall. I am excited to work with Emily as the Dean of Students and know she will do an excellent job in this new role.”

Wojna-Hodnett graduated from Tulane Law in 2014 and became Assistant Director of Admissions. Most recently, she served as the Director of Admissions and International Student Recruitment and Enrollment. In those roles, Wojna-Hodnett worked closely with Gaunt and the Student Affairs Office, developing orientation programs for incoming students, enhancing the admitted student experience and more.

"After working with our new students over the last decade to help get them transition to Tulane Law and, being a former Tulane Law student myself, I am excited to continue supporting them on their journeys to become lawyers," Wojna-Hodnett said.

While in Law School, Wojna-Hodnett was an active member of the Student Bar Association, a representative for the Graduate and Professional School Assembly, and a member of the Moot Court Board. 

Wojna-Hodnett will work closely with Terryl Washington, the new program coordinator for Student Life who is taking over the role from Morgan Jackson (L’16), who joined Tulane Law’s Master of Jurisprudence program as its Program Director.