UCONN TODAY — Karen DeMeola has been doing diversity work since she joined the UConn School of Law staff 22 years ago. Now, what she called a side gig has become her full-time job as the inaugural assistant dean for diversity, belonging and community engagement. DeMeola ’96 started as a civil rights litigator after graduating from UConn Law, then returned to campus as director of admissions in 2000.