After the jump, I'm posting the search announcement for the new Dean of Penn State Law (that is, the State College campus) and Penn State School of International Affairs.
The Pennsylvania State University is seeking candidates to serve as the Dean of both Penn State Law (PSL) and the School of International Affairs (SIA). The two schools are located together in a state-of-the-art facility at University Park, the University’s largest campus and home to 45,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The Dean serves as the principal academic and administrative officer of both PSL and SIA, reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University. Penn State is the land-grant university of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is composed of the University Park campus and 23 other campuses throughout the state.
The position provides an outstanding opportunity for an individual who can lead a newly reorganized law school and a uniquely situated and vibrant international affairs unit within a research university. We are looking for (1) an experienced, innovative leader familiar with national issues affecting graduate and legal education, (2) a person with substantial academic credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment in PSL with the rank of professor, (3) a person who would enthusiastically lead the schools’ fundraising efforts, and (4) a person with a commitment to diversity and high quality disciplinary and interdisciplinary education. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Until recently, Penn State operated a single law school with two campuses—one in Carlisle and one on Penn State’s University Park campus. In 2014, Penn State received approval from the ABA to operate the two campuses as two fully accredited law schools, each building on its own individual strengths: PSL (in University Park) and Dickinson Law (in Carlisle).
Penn State Law seeks to take advantage of the opportunities available on the campus of a world-class research institution and to educate a diverse student body in the intellectual foundations, ethical principles, and practical skills necessary for success in today’s legal profession. PSL is comprised of accomplished academics contributing meaningfully to research and teaching in a large number of substantive areas, some interdisciplinary. PSL fosters a culture of service within the legal profession and society and contributes to the intellectual life and mission of Penn State. In addition to the J.D. degree, Penn State Law offers a number of joint degrees and, for foreign-trained attorneys, both LL.M. and S.J.D. degree programs. The school’s estimated budget for 2015-16 is $24.5 million.
Founded in 2007 and with approximately 100 students from 14 countries, the School of International Affairs offers a two-year Masters of International Affairs (MIA). In collaboration with other units of the University, the SIA offers an MIA/JD and MIA/BA-BS, and certificates in International Affairs, International Economic Development, and International Security. Courses offered by SIA faculty and those in other units of the University provide the academic background and professional skills needed to prepare students for global careers. The SIA faculty includes a mix of accomplished academics and government experts and leaders from around the world. SIA and PSL collaborate in ways that uniquely position these programs within Penn State’s global and land-grant mission, especially the ongoing internationalization of policy, law practice, and legal education. The Director of the SIA reports directly to the Dean. SIA has an estimated operating budget for 2015‑16 of $3 million and is active in development efforts.
PSL’s current strategic plan is available at http://www.opia.psu.edu/sites/default/files/unit_sp/PennStateLawUniversityPark.docx
SIA’s current strategic plan is available at http://www.opia.psu.edu/sites/default/files/unit_sp/SchoolOfInternationalAffairs.docx.
Send applications (cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names of four references), nominations, and inquiries to the address below or to PSUSearch@psu.edu. The Search Committee will begin to review applications on September 21 and will continue to receive them until the position is filled. For additional information about Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs, visit our web sites at http://pennstatelaw.psu.edu/ and http://www.sia.psu.edu.