Dean Search
School of Law
Position Description
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 committment to legal scholarship, professional development, and public service.
Position Overview and Key Responsibilities
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.
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.
Compensation
The University of Arkansas provides a highly competitive salary and benefits package for this executive role. Benefits include employer-supported health, dental, and life insurance; state retirement contributions; tuition waivers for employees and their dependents; 12 official holidays; and generous leave programs. Additional benefits related to relocation and professional development may be offered.
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.
Additional Background Information
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.
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.
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.
Explore More
About the University
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.