Wishing LaToya Well as She Leaves the SOG

This is a bittersweet post as it is a goodbye to my friend and colleague, LaToya Powell, who has decided to leave the School of Government (SOG). Tomorrow is her last day, and I hope you will join me in wishing her well.

LaToya joined the SOG in the spring of 2013, as part of what I affectionately refer to as the “Class of 2013.” That spring, four new faculty members joined the SOG: LaToya and myself along with Trey Allen (who works with municipal and county clerks) and Meredith Smith (who works with clerks of superior court). LaToya and I were originally referred to as the two halves of retired faculty member, Janet Mason, since together we covered the field of juvenile law, with me focusing on child welfare and LaToya on juvenile justice. In some ways, we worked closely together – figuring out the courses to teach together and the intersection of the children and youth who appeared in both systems. We quickly realized we would be focusing on our respective substantive areas individually. And soon, we were no longer referred to as the collective Janet Mason. LaToya stands on her own.