Dr. Neijma Celestine-Donnor (she/her), JD, MSW, LCSW-C, is an Associate Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work. Her scholarship and publications focus on the intersections of law, social work, and justice examining how systems, policies, and legal frameworks shape equity, access, and opportunity for marginalized communities. In this role, Dean Celestine-Donnor helps guide the school toward a new standard of inclusive excellence and supports the school's broader strategic initiatives as a key collaborator with the Dean. As a member of the Dean's leadership team, she holds a strategic portfolio focused on promoting and enabling an inclusive environment for faculty, students, and staff, while championing organizational change across the institution.
Holding both a Juris Doctorate (JD) and a Master of Social Work (MSW), Dean Celestine-Donnor brings a unique blend of legal expertise and clinical insight to her work. Her approach is grounded in anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care, ensuring that her efforts are both ethically sound and culturally responsive. Over more than a decade, she has developed extensive experience in anti-oppressive strategic planning, program development, facilitation, and assessment, with a proven track record of leading transformative organizational change.
Dean Celestine-Donnor is known for her open, honest, and empathetic approach to leadership. She values collaboration and believes in the power of collective action to drive meaningful change. Through her dedication to social justice, she continues to inspire others and help pave the way toward a more equitable and inclusive future.