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Dean of the School of Law

Employer
University of Akron
Location
Akron, Ohio

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Executive Administration Jobs
Deans
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

University of Akron

Dean of the School of Law

 

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist The University of Akron in its search for Dean of the School of Law with an anticipated start date between January 1 and July 1, 2022.  Review of applicants will begin in early September 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

For best consideration, please apply by October 3, 2021.

The University of Akron seeks a dynamic, outward-facing, student-focused leader to serve as the new Dean of the School of Law. This position is ideal for a strategic leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership promoting the development of faculty, staff, and students.

The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School of Law and provides leadership in ensuring academic excellence; supports faculty in achieving and maintaining excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in community service; cultivates strong alumni and external relationships; and engages in extensive fundraising activities. As the chief academic and administrative officer of the School of Law, the Dean is the face of the School and actively engages in University, School of Law, and community events.

As an innovative leader in legal education, the new Dean joins a forward-thinking School of Law exploring new opportunities with external partners through unique and groundbreaking approaches to expand course offerings and access to legal education while redefining opportunities for law school education. This is truly an opportunity to create a legacy with lasting impact.

The successful candidate brings a proven record of fundraising, internal and external community engagement, and cultivation of partnerships with businesses and external foundations to provide programmatic funding, support and employment opportunities for students.

The Dean reports to the Executive Vice President and Provost and serves on the University's leadership team. The Dean joins an energized and motivated faculty.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Earned law degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Credentials commensurate with appointment as Professor of Law with tenure
  • Record of outstanding accomplishment in legal education
  •  
  • Equivalent record of accomplishment in comparable fields
  • Demonstrated recruitment, outreach and fundraising skills
  • Record of achievement in support of inclusive excellence, diversity and consensus-building
  • Proven ability to create trust and good working relationships with all constituencies
  • Strong vision for the future of legal education and The University of Akron School of Law, as well as the ability to lead the School of Law in the realization of such vision
  • Continue the school’s recent trend of excellence in growth in admissions and success in job placements for graduates

About The University of Akron School of Law

The University of Akron School of Law is celebrating 100 successful years. 1921- 2021

The University of Akron School of Law is a public law school of approximately 450 students, with both full-time and part-time programs, and opportunities to begin study in the fall, spring or summer. The school offers the J.D., five joint-degree programs, an LL.M. in Intellectual Property, a Master of Studies in Law, and various certificate programs for both J.D. and non-J.D. students. 

Akron Law will celebrate its centennial throughout the 2021-2022 academic year. Since its founding in 1921, the school has graduated more than 8,400 students. The school has historically embraced a strong commitment to teaching and public service in the community.

Akron Law strives to be a national leader in diversity, equity and inclusion programming. In the wake of George Floyd’s death and the protests in the summer of 2020, Professor Brant Lee led a publicly available course on Race, Equality and the Law that engaged more than 5,000 online learners. The law school has established a working group that is studying ways to advance diversity programming throughout the curriculum. Additionally, the Legal Writing faculty has integrated racial justice issues into its major assignments in first-year courses. For the past four years, Akron Law has invited diverse students from across the country to participate in our summer Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program. Our efforts have helped Akron Law attract several of the most diverse classes in its history.

Akron Law has recently experienced tremendous upward trajectories in admissions in terms of applications, selectivity, yield, and the size and quality of the incoming class. The employment rate for graduates is above the national average—consistently more than 90% of graduates are employed 10 months after graduation.

The school boasts several centers with opportunities for students to distinguish themselves in their education and practice-ready preparation: a Center for Intellectual Property Law and Technology; a Constitutional Law Center, one of only four such centers established by Congress; and the Joseph G. Miller and William C. Becker Institute for Professional Responsibility.  The Akron Law trial advocacy program consistently ranks among the top in the nation and has won 23 national and regional titles and earned a No. 5 ranking in the Fordham Law Trial Competition standings for 2018-2019. The clinical programs have won awards for their excellence and innovation. Akron’s clinic was chosen by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to participate in the new Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project and recently was awarded a $1,000,000 grant.

Akron Law offers a top-notch legal education at an affordable price. Akron Law’s programs have been consistently ranked among the best in the country. Over the last three years, our U.S. News program rankings have ranged from 25th to 34th for Trial Advocacy; 41st to 63rd for IP law, and 37th to 52nd for Part-time Studies. We’ve also earned top 50 recognition from preLaw for IP law (2018-2021) and Advocacy/Litigation (2018-2019).

The C. Blake McDowell Law Center building underwent a $21 million renovation that was completed in 2017.  The new building and renovated space feature a large state-of-the-art courtroom; several large, tiered classrooms; seminar classrooms with moveable furniture; additional study space and collaborative space for both students and faculty; and improved space for career services, academic success and the legal clinics.

Akron Law values its global partnerships. The school’s pioneering two-year J.D. program for international lawyers and law students enables lawyers with their first law degree outside of the U.S. to obtain the credentials they need to sit for the bar anywhere in the U.S. Our summer study abroad program with Hanoi Law University provides a unique opportunity for Akron students to study in one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Akron law students will soon also have the chance to visit South Africa and Botswana to learn about the law, culture and history of Southern Africa. Our IP Center recently launched a joint IP project with a leading law school in India, Gujarat National Law University, the Gujarat Akron IPR Network (GAIN).

About The University of Akron

The University of Akron is one of Ohio’s most influential public urban research universities, conducting extensive research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. UA offers nearly 18,000 students a wide variety of in-demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs with a career-focused emphasis.

About the Area

With a population of nearly 200,000, Akron is perfect for those looking for a city with a small-town feel. With more than 20 distinct neighborhoods, the city offers residents a wide array of benefits including a vibrant downtown, delicious dining, diverse and thriving arts and cultural scene and outdoor activities, including the San Run Metro Park with more than 41 miles of hiking trails and Towpath Trail with 87 miles of Ohio’s most scenic countryside and numerous small lakes. The city is further supported by public transportation including buses, Amtrak and the Akron-Canton Airport. Akron enjoys a cost of living 30.5% below the national average.

Akron is only 40 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Canton and about two hours from both Columbus and Pittsburgh. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. Akron is the corporate home to numerous companies and its largest employer, Summa Health Systems, provides jobs to nearly 11,000 people.

More information is available at: https://www.akronohio.gov/cms/city_of_akron/index.html

Application Instructions:

For best consideration, please apply by October 3, 2021.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and CV. You may apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy37s4n

To be considered, applications must be made through the application link and not emailed. Review of applicants will begin upon receipt.

Inquiries, referrals and nominations are treated confidentially and can be sent to Jennifer Muller, Academic Career & Executive Search at Jennifer@Acesrch.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Akron, as an equal education and employment institution, is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified individuals in its education programs or activities, including applicants for admissions or employment, will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status or status as a veteran. To further this commitment, the University complies with state and federal laws which prohibit discrimination. Questions or concerns about the administration of this commitment can be directed to the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office (uakron.edu/hr/eeoaa).

The University also strives to provide an environment free from the negative impacts of gender-based discrimination and harassment as prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Questions about Title IX can be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education or both. For more information on Title IX at the University of Akron, including how to contact the Title IX Coordinator, how to file a complaint under Title IX with the University or the Title IX process at the University of Akron, please visit the University’s Title IX page at uakron.edu/title-ix/at-uakron.

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