The University of Arizona
Dean Posting Number req24342 Department College of Law Department Website Link Location Main Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights The University of Arizona invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the James E. Rogers College of Law (College of Law). This is a pivotal opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to guide one of the nation’s most innovative public law schools into its next era of excellence and impact.
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.
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!
Duties & Responsibilities
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 core mission. 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. Minimum Qualifications
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. Preferred Qualifications
Leadership experience in legal education is strongly preferred, along with demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic and financial planning and oversight, management, and community engagement. FLSA Exempt Full Time / Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Academic Administration Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay DOE Compensation Type salary at full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required : Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Werner Boel, , Jen Meyers Pickard, , and Ashlee Musser ArizonaLawD Open Date 10 / 31 / 2025 Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicant All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. 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 .
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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 core mission. 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. Minimum Qualifications
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. Preferred Qualifications
Leadership experience in legal education is strongly preferred, along with demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic and financial planning and oversight, management, and community engagement. FLSA Exempt Full Time / Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Academic Administration Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay DOE Compensation Type salary at full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required : Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Werner Boel, , Jen Meyers Pickard, , and Ashlee Musser ArizonaLawD Open Date 10 / 31 / 2025 Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicant All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. 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 .
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