This just in:
The University of Mississippi (www.olemiss.edu) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Law.
The University of Mississippi School of Law (http://law.olemiss.edu/) was established in 1854 and is the first and only public law school in the state. The School of Law has a record of hiring and retaining distinguished faculty and nationally recognized scholars and attracting highly qualified students. The School is known for its academic rigor, its seven robust clinic programs, three academic concentrations, and five law journals. In 2016, The National Jurist magazine named the University of Mississippi School of Law among the top 25 nationally for practical training available to students.
The School is also among the top law schools in the nation for access and equity. In 2022, the Rutgers Law Review published an article that finds UM Law to lead among the top law schools for access and equity (https://rutgerslawreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/05_Mathis_Website.pdf). The School of Law also received a substantial grant from the University Equity in Action Support Fund to help us expand the school’s already thriving Fall HBCU Preview Day. The School of Law plans to continue this record of excellence by striving to meet the goals adopted by the faculty in the 2020 DEI Strategic plan (https://law.olemiss.edu/about/diversity/strategic-plan-for-diversity-inclusion-and-equity/).
Supporting the School’s strong commitment to academic and scholarly excellence is an endowment exceeding $38 million. The School of Law is located in a state-of-the-art, 120,000 square-foot facility. Accredited by the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, the School is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
The School is student-centered and was recently recognized for its work supporting law student wellness with the E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award from the ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism. Thus, the new Dean will need to be highly skilled in working with students and creating a climate where all faculty, through the top leadership are approachable to students.
The Dean is responsible for long-range strategic planning; leading a diverse faculty and student body; advancing faculty research and scholarship; encouraging student achievement and success; advocating for student wellness; facilitating an inclusive climate and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the School of Law; fundraising; and promoting and expanding external and alumni relations for the School. In addition, the Dean represents the School within the University and represents the School of Law and the University with external constituencies. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean supervises more than 30 full-time faculty members, 56 staff members, and approximately 500 students. The Dean also facilitates partnership across campus and with the community including collaborations with affiliate faculty and engaging experts as adjunct faculty.
Candidates must hold a Juris Doctor or equivalent, and should have an exceptional record of teaching and scholarship or should have an equivalent exceptional record in the practice of law, in the legal profession, or in a comparable professional setting, proven leadership skills, demonstrated administrative skills, and fundraising abilities. In addition, candidates should possess: strong interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to promote faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, and service; the skill to develop and implement high-level strategic plans; a track record of effective fiscal management experience; demonstrated ability to generate external resources; and a commitment to fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
The state's flagship university, the University of Mississippi is a growing, vibrant institution that offers nationally ranked academic and research programs. It has a long history of producing state and national leaders in public service, business, academics and the professions including elite, nationally competitive scholars. In the last two decades, university students include 15 Goldwater Scholars, three Rhodes Scholars, seven Truman Scholars, 23 Fulbright Scholars, three Udall Scholars and three Gates Cambridge Scholars.
The state's first public university to house a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, UM has 17 academic divisions, including a major medical school; nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy; and an Honors College acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community engagement. Ranked among the nation's top public research universities by several measures, the university is home to more than 25 research centers and is designated an R1: Research University (highest research activity) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The institution is named regularly to “best places to work” lists.
The University of Mississippi is in Oxford (www.oxfordms.com) in the rolling hills of north Mississippi, 80 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee. Oxford is a vibrant university town of more than 25,000 residents, filled with unique shops and galleries, eclectic restaurants, a lively arts culture and historic landmarks. This special place, named in 2021 as America’s Best College Town by ESPN, boasts a thriving economy and offers a strong public school system widely recognized for its excellence.
COMPENSATION
Starting salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ANTICIPATED STARTING DATE: July 1, 2023
CONTACT
Nominations and expressions of interest in submitting an application should be forwarded to:
Search Committee for Dean of the School of Law
Dr. Annette S. Kluck, Chair
Graduate School
P.O. Box 1848
The University of Mississippi
University, MS 38677-1848
(662) 915-7474; Fax (662) 915-6557
Email: [email protected]
APPLICATION PROCESS
A complete job description is available online at https://careers.olemiss.edu/. Applications must be submitted online at this site and must include: (a) letter of interest, including a statement of how the candidate satisfies the position qualifications listed above; (b) a curriculum vitae; (c) names, addresses, and phone numbers of five professional references.
The position will remain open until filled or until an adequate application pool has been established. Review of applications will begin immediately and applications should be received by September 30, 2022 for full consideration.
The University of Mississippi does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Comments