A Full-Circle Moment

When Leah Ward Sears 80L stepped into the role of interim president of Emory University on Sept. 1, she brought with her one of the most distinguished resumes in American public life.

Sears has spent her career breaking barriers, advancing justice and mentoring the next generation of leaders. In 1985, she made history as the first African American woman to serve as a superior court judge in Georgia. Her distinguished service continued with her 1992 appointment to the Supreme Court of Georgia, the first woman and youngest person to hold that position. She served on the state's highest court for 17 years, including four as chief justice.

Her relationship with Emory runs just as deep. A proud graduate of Emory Law, Sears has also served on the university’s Board of Trustees since 2010, helping guide Emory through moments of profound growth, challenge and opportunity. Along the way, she’s been a teacher, mentor and recipient of the Emory Medal, the university’s highest alumni honor. Now, she leads the institution at a moment of transition — bringing not just her remarkable legal experience, but a profound personal connection to Emory’s mission.

“Not only have I seen this remarkable alchemy in action across generations of students, I have also experienced it in my own life,” she said in her welcome message to the Emory community at the start of the fall semester. “Emory changes lives for the better.”

That sense of purpose will undoubtedly guide her tenure. “With steadfast determination, bold aspirations and a spirit of collaboration,” she said, “we will continue to address both the opportunities and challenges before us to write Emory’s next impressive chapter.”

Speaking now as the semester unfolds, she adds: “Looking to the future, we’re guided by our commitment to integrity, fairness, compassion, and belonging, creating a space where everyone in our community — and beyond — can flourish and thrive.”

Who were some of the most influential mentors or role models who helped shape your path?

My mother and father were my most significant support in life, as is my husband, Haskell Ward, who is 15 years older than I and who, himself, was a great public servant for much of his life. I also believe that my upbringing in a military family fostered resilience, flexibility, discipline and structure, as well as cultural awareness and a more global perspective, which was not common among my friends of that era. We moved around the country and the world frequently, settling in Savannah, Georgia, just before I started high school.

What first drew you to a career in law?

In a personal essay for Emory Magazine some years ago, I fondly recalled my deep friendship with classmate Rebecca Zimmerman 80L — a bond forged through study groups, lunch conversations and mutual support during personal challenges. This important friendship has lasted since we graduated from law school in 1980 and has been a constant in my life. We often talk on the phone and go out to lunch together.

What prepared you for a life in public service?

It was not a single event or formal training, but rather a deep and abiding sense that I had a calling that has been present throughout my life. From an early age, I carried an inner conviction that service to others was both a responsibility and a privilege. That conviction has shaped my choices, guided my perspective and fueled my determination to contribute in meaningful ways. It is less about preparation in the traditional sense and more about the steady presence of this commitment, an anchor that has readied me to embrace the challenges and perspectives of public service with purpose and humility.

You’ve broken a number of barriers in your judicial career. What helped you stay grounded during those moments?

I broke through numerous barriers: the first Black woman on Georgia’s Superior Court bench at 32 years old, the youngest person and first woman to serve on the Georgia Supreme Court at 36 years of age, and later, the first African American woman to serve as chief justice of any state supreme court in the U.S. As I overcame obstacles, I can’t say I never felt fear. But I learned early to face my fears, acknowledge them and move forward anyway. That mindset, courage matched with determination, undoubtedly influenced what I was able to accomplish. That’s what you have to do.

You’ve been on Emory’s Board of Trustees for more than 15 years. What kinds of changes have you witnessed in the university?

When I arrived at Emory Law School in 1977, the university was quite a different place. At the time, Emory was still a small, southern and largely homogeneous institution. Its culture felt insulated, particularly in its DeKalb County setting, somewhat apart from the city of Atlanta. The student body reflected little of the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives that we now take for granted in higher education.

Over the decades, however, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation. Emory has evolved into a vibrant, world-class research university, one that values heterogeneity not only in demographics but also in thought, experience and global outlook. This all came about since “The Gift,” given by Robert and George Woodruff in 1979, the year before I graduated from the law school here. The campus now hums with energy and exchange — students and faculty bring new ideas, tackle pressing challenges and create an environment that is both intellectually rigorous and richly inclusive.

What once felt limited in scope has become expansive, outward-looking and engaged with the broader world. This evolution has not only strengthened the academic community but also positioned Emory as a place where future leaders are formed with values and vision to meet the complexities of our time.

How has your leadership style evolved over the course of your career?

People sometimes ask how my leadership style has changed as I have moved from attorney to judge to educational institution leader. The truth is, it has not changed much at all. Throughout my career, I have consistently been a catalyst-for-change style leader. I stepped into roles where something needed clarification, rebalancing or rectification. I work hard to create momentum, help chart a clear course and then empower others to carry that work forward. That was true when I began practicing law, when I sat on the bench and now in higher education leadership. The context may be different, but the mission is the same: to leave each institution stronger, clearer and more capable of serving the people who depend on it.

When you’re not working, what brings you joy or helps you recharge?

I enjoy the artistry of fashion, time spent writing, tea parties with family and friends, time spent with my husband, my two children, Addison and Brennan, and my two grandchildren. I am also a dog person — love them!

As interim president, what are your top priorities for the university?

One of my most important roles will be to enhance the student experience with respect to academics and beyond. Specifically, I want to ensure that campus life is joyful, inclusive and supportive for everyone, and that Emory is affordable to all students who qualify to be here. I want our community to be a place where faculty, students and staff can feel a sense of belonging, allowing them to thrive.

I also want to promote greater efficiency and effectiveness in our work, ensuring that duplication of effort is minimized and that resources are aligned with our shared goals. And I am committed to engaging meaningfully with students, faculty, staff, health care professionals, alumni and other vital partners to strengthen Emory and advance our mission.

Equally important, I will work to ensure that essential leadership roles, such as the provost position, critical positions in campus life and open deanships, are filled promptly — providing the stability and vision necessary for our continued success as we advance Emory's tripartite mission. I'm excited that we are already making progress, starting with the appointment of Oxford College Dean Badia Ahad to serve as Emory's next provost, effective Nov. 1.

How do you see Emory’s role in developing future leaders?

My life’s work has always emphasized service, excellence and momentum in some form or fashion. I believe in Emory as an incubator for leaders grounded in integrity and public purpose. This country and the world need this.

You’ve called this role a “full-circle moment.” Why does it mean so much to you personally?

This appointment is a full-circle moment for me as I credit a scholarship to Emory Law in 1977 for transforming my life. I see this role as a way to pay back that gift.

What makes Emory uniquely positioned to lead in this moment?

Emory’s location in Atlanta and the thriving South, and its historical role in social, economic and scientific advances, equip it to lead even during periods of change.

What gives you hope and energy as you look to the future?

I am an unshakeable optimist. I am confident that, in partnership with the Emory community, even greater achievements lie ahead, despite the challenges facing higher education.