Biography

Kele Stewart is a Professor in the School of Law where she teaches courses on family and juvenile law. She has a secondary appointment with the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education and Human Development. Professor Stewart co-directs the Children & Youth Law Clinic, where she supervises law students in representing children and young adults in the foster care system. Her teaching, research and law reform advocacy focuses on the child welfare system, especially its intersection with other areas like education, juvenile justice, immigration and international human rights. Professor Stewart, along with Professor Wendy Cavendish, launched and oversee the University of Miami site of First Star Academy, an innovative college preparation program for teenagers in foster care that also serves as an inter-disciplinary research project and field placement for UM students. Prior to joining University of Miami, Professor Stewart was a civil rights and commercial litigation attorney. She earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and a J.D. from N.Y.U. Law School.