Dean of the School of Law

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:
Senior Administration - Academic Deans

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:
Regular


Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.
The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.
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Department:
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:
About the Opportunity
The University of Arkansas School of Law is seeking a transformative academic leader to serve as its next dean. The ideal candidate will elevate the law school’s profile on a local, regional and national level as part of Arkansas’ flagship, land-grant university and will demonstrate a strong commitment to legal scholarship, professional development, and public service.
This position is a critical leadership opportunity for a dynamic, forward-thinking individual who brings vision, energy, and a strong record of achievement in legal education and administration. The next dean will play a major role in setting the school’s strategic direction, enhancing the school's national visibility, sustaining academic excellence, fostering student success, and cultivating strong, collaborative relationships on campus and with external stakeholders.
The dean will serve as the chief academic and administrative leader of the School of Law and will report directly to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The dean will provide overall leadership and administrative oversight for the School of Law, including the development and implementation of academic and research programs, fundraising and advancement initiatives, strategic planning, budget management, faculty and staff development, student recruitment, retention and support, alumni engagement, and external partnerships with government, nonprofit, and corporate entities.
This role requires a visionary leader who values shared governance, transparency, and integrity of the highest degree.
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
Background Information
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas, founded in 1871, is a land-grant institution and the flagship of the University of Arkansas System. The U of A is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having the highest level of research activity (R1), placing it among the top 3 percent of colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 33,000 students enrolled across 10 colleges and schools and more than 273 academic programs, the University of Arkansas plays a central role in advancing higher education, economic development, and civic life in the region.
The university’s “150 Forward” strategic plan outlines key institutional goals: enhancing student success, advancing research excellence, and strengthening the university’s position as an employer of choice. The plan builds on a deep commitment to service, innovation, and public impact. In 2024, the university conducted research totaling more than $221 million. The university also contributes $3 billion to the state’s economy annually and has invested more than $136 million in applied research facilities since 2021.
School of Law
Founded in 1924, the University of Arkansas School of Law has a long-standing reputation for excellence in legal education, public service, and fostering social progress. The law school has consistently ranked among the nation’s “Best Value” law schools by National Jurist magazine, a testament to its exceptional academic quality, low tuition, and strong employment outcomes for graduates. The school’s student, faculty, and staff alumni include a U.S. President, U.S. Secretary of State, governors, U.S. ambassadors, judges, and prominent attorneys and leaders across the legal, business, and nonprofit sectors.
The School of Law offers a comprehensive curriculum of academic programs that prepare students for an impressive array of legal careers. These include a full-time, three-year Juris Doctor (JD) program and a nationally acclaimed LL.M. in Agricultural and Food Law, the first of its kind in the United States when it was established over 40 years ago. It also publishes the country’s first student-edited publication focused on food law and policy as well as the Arkansas Law Review and offers four dual-degree options. Students can pursue a JD/MBA with the Sam M. Walton College of Business; a JD/MSW with the School of Social Work and a JD/MPA with the Department of Political Science in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; or a JD/MA combination with the Graduate School.
The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, providing opportunities to participate in legal clinics, externships, simulated classes, and pro bono service. The law school maintains a vibrant student life supported by a robust wellness program, student organizations and leadership opportunities.
In addition to academic offerings, the School of Law houses the Young Law Library, the largest collection of legal texts in Arkansas. The school operates from the Robert A. Leflar Law Center, which is located in the heart of campus. The building went through a major renovation and addition in 2008. The 72,000-square-foot addition houses a library reading room, classroom and seminar rooms, a 200-seat auditorium and courtroom, a new entry lobby, and faculty and staff offices.
The School of Law in 1948 enrolled the “Six Pioneers,” African American students who integrated the law school, making it one of the first southern public law schools to do so voluntarily. This foundational act of courage established a legacy that shapes the school today through active recruitment and comprehensive support for students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, fostering a culture that prioritizes excellence, belonging, and social responsibility.
Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, a lively and welcoming community nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. With a population of just over 100,000, Fayetteville is the second largest city in Arkansas and offers the amenities and cultural offerings of a small city with the vibrancy of a college town. The region is known for its outstanding quality of life and has been consistently ranked among the top “Best Places to Live” in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy more than 500 miles of trails, national forests, rivers, and lakes. The Razorback Greenway, a 40-mile trail system, connects Fayetteville to neighboring communities and offers convenient access to parks, neighborhoods, and cultural hubs. The city features a thriving arts scene, nationally recognized music venues, dynamic theater productions, and a diverse culinary landscape. Fayetteville also hosts a popular farmers’ market, annual festivals, and a celebrated public library system.
Northwest Arkansas is also an economic powerhouse. It is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt, and boasts a growing startup and innovation ecosystem. These business relationships present exciting opportunities for the law school in areas such as corporate law, regulatory policy, entrepreneurship, and public-private collaboration. Philanthropic support in the region is strong, and the community’s emphasis on education and civic engagement aligns well with the School of Law’s mission.

Qualifications:

Professional Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess the following important attributes:

• Superior management, communication, interpersonal, budget, and strategic planning skills,

• A successful record of leadership experience,

• A collaborative approach to management and leadership,

• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience engaging with an array of different student populations and the ability to effectively engage with students and address their concerns,

• Experience managing complex budgets and a demonstrated ability to introduce and implement innovative funding initiatives,

• Experience with major fundraising initiatives and an ability to represent the university compellingly with alumni and donors on behalf of the School of Law,

• An ability to communicate effectively and build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, business leaders and state policymakers,

• A commitment to student success and supporting student scholarship and excellence inside and outside of the classroom,

• Committed to active listening and broad engagement, including a commitment to collaboration and transparency in decision-making,

• Interest and motivation for developing external relationships and actively participate in community engagement, to include local, state and national bar associations.

Education and Faculty Rank Requirements

The dean must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and a record of recognized scholarly achievement and/or exceptional professional achievement that, in any case, would warrant appointment as a full professor with tenure at the University of Arkansas in their respective field of study.

Additional Information:

Applications
Interested applicants should visit the University of Arkansas System Career website and upload the following materials:

• A detailed cover letter explaining interest in the position

• A current curriculum vitae (CV)

• A list of five professional references, including full contact information

Applicants may be asked to provide additional materials. The position will remain open until filled. Complete applications received by September 19 will receive full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

Nominations
Nominations and questions about the position should be directed to Brian Raines, search chair and Dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences via email at ldsearch@uark.edu.
 

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of five Professional References (name, email, business title)

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Kaleb Turner; chief of staff in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants may be asked to provide additional materials. The position will remain open until filled. Complete applications received by September 19 will receive full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Financial Credit Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:
N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:
N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:
N/A

Benefits Eligible:
Yes