Dean

The next Dean will be charged with articulating a bold and compelling vision for the College of Law's future, strengthening the JD program, fostering vibrant intellectual life and scholarly productivity, enhancing academic excellence, improving bar passage results, and expanding external partnerships. The Dean will work closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external constituents to elevate the College of Law's national profile and deepen its contributions to the legal academy and society. This is a moment of opportunity for a leader who is passionate about shaping the future of legal education and committed to stewarding a vibrant academic community toward its next chapter of distinction.

To see a full copy of the position profile, please click here.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Academic Leadership

The next Dean will serve as the chief academic leader of the College of
Law, championing excellence in faculty scholarship, teaching, and service while
reinforcing the JD program as the College of Law's core mission. This includes
prioritizing faculty implementing strategies to attract and retain top-tier
faculty to further strengthen the school's scholarly reputation, while
supporting the full complement of tenured and continuing-status faculty.

Priority Setting and Administrative Planning

The Dean will be a strategic and forward-thinking leader who, in
alignment with the institution's longstanding commitment to shared governance,
will set the benchmark for achievement and intellectual engagement by
articulating a compelling vision and strategic plan to guide the College of Law
into its next era of success in close collaboration with the law faculty.

Focus on Student Success

The Dean will champion initiatives that prepare every student to thrive
academically and professionally. The College of Law is deeply committed to
student success, from admission through graduation and into professional
practice.

Resources Management

The next Dean will play a critical role in ensuring the financial health
and long-term sustainability of the College of Law. This includes prioritizing
budgetary goals, navigating a new budget model, and exercising strong financial
acumen to manage limited resources effectively. The Dean must be proactive and
entrepreneurial in identifying new revenue streams, advocating for resources
with university leadership using data-driven strategies, and ensuring
transparency around financial decisions.

Advancement and External Engagement

Fundraising will be a critical priority as the College of Law enters the
final year of its $60 million Fuel Wonder campaign, advancing transformative
goals for students, faculty, and key initiatives. The Dean will lead a
comprehensive strategy to secure philanthropic support for scholarships,
endowed faculty positions, and innovative programmatic initiatives, while
cultivating and strengthening relationships with alumni and donors.

Commitment to Fostering a Collaborative Community

The next Dean will have the opportunity to lead a law school with a
strong culture, where students and faculty have long maintained a collaborative
and respectful environment. Preserving this culture as the College navigates
necessary changes to respond to a rapidly evolving legal field will be
essential.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The
Dean will be an inspiring leader with a clear vision for maintaining and
enhancing the excellence of the College of Law. The Dean will also be a capable
executive with skills in fiscal and human-resource management as well as the
external relationship management that is critical for fundraising success. The
Dean must have the political acumen, power of persuasion, commitment to
inclusiveness, and authentic personal leadership style necessary to advance the
College of Law and inspire its multiple constituencies.

• Candidates must hold a JD and possess a distinguished record of
  scholarship, professional accomplishment, teaching, and service that qualifies
  them for appointment as a tenured full professor.

• Leadership experience in legal education is strongly preferred, along with demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic and financial planning and oversight, management, and community engagement.

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 9, 2026.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of Arizona in this search. Application materials should be submitted through WittKieffer's candidate portal.