Reporting directly to the Dean of the Law School and working as a member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the Associate Dean provides strategic leadership in developing, implementing, assessing and updating as needed a comprehensive plan to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the Law School and as part of the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Responsibilities include program development and assessment, instructional and faculty support, student advising, and strategic collaboration with the dean’s office, admissions, career development, communications, and alumni relations. The Associate Dean will serve as the Law School’s representative in relevant University and community activities and groups and will serve as a thought partner to other DEI professionals across campus.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic leadership

• Working as member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, designs, implements and assesses school-wide programs, initiatives and approaches to reinforce DEI as core values throughout all aspects of the law school community.
• Advises on institutional responses to issues related to DEI, coordinating with other DEI leaders on campus and including acting as a spokesperson and strategic leader both internally and externally for the Law School.
• Develops, updates and reports on data and other monitoring tools to track the law school’s progress in its DEI efforts.
• Collaborates with law school communications team to increase awareness of DEI policies, practices and programs.
• Develops partnerships with other DEI leaders at the University and within the broader community to align, coordinate, and support efforts for impact.
• Brings and shares an equity-minded lens to policies, practices, and assessment to the Law School.

Programming and instructional support

• Assists in developing ongoing learning opportunities for students that will prepare them to serve effectively in a highly diverse society grappling with persistent racial, social and economic inequities.
• Plans and manages ongoing DEI programming and training for law faculty and staff, including on topics such as anti-racist pedagogy, first-generation student success, gender inclusion and cultural competence.
• Serves as a resource for faculty and staff to enrich DEI efforts in our curriculum, classrooms, and co-curricular programs and consults with individual faculty as requested.

Student advising and support

• In collaboration with the Dean of Students and other senior leaders, develops and implements multi-faceted support services, including orientation and pre-orientation programs, to enhance the academic and professional success of first-generation students and students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.
• Provides individual counseling and ongoing support to first-generation students and students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession, creating a seamless point of contact and connection from recruitment through graduation
• Mentors and supports the law student affinity groups.

Recruiting, admissions and pipeline programs

• Assists the Office of Admissions with outreach to and recruitment of underrepresented and historically marginalized students, including attending admissions-related events both on and off campus, and serving as an additional point of contact for underrepresented students during the admissions process.
• Collaborates with the Office of Admissions on student recruitment, including on pipeline initiatives.

External relations

• Serves as the Law School’s representative in relevant University, community and professional activities and groups.
• Collaborates with the Director of Alumni Relations to enhance the law school’s relationship and engagement with its alumni from underrepresented groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to envision, identify, develop, implement, and assess systems, policies, training and programs to foster a healthy and inclusive law school community.
• Ability to build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders in a higher education community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
• Demonstrated ability to convey complex issues and objectives clearly and plainly, orally and in writing.
• Strong problem-solving skills; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks independently; ability to work independently and in teams.
• Strong ability to collaborate in and across units.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree required; J.D. strongly preferred.
• At least three to five years of legal practice, higher education or consulting experience, with substantial experience working in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in a law school or legal practice strongly preferred.