The Dean who will serve as the chief academic officer and chief administrator of the School of Law, will report to the President and work collaboratively with the Provost. The Dean will ensure the school’s commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students that prepares them for being effective, ethical, and competent legal practitioners. The Dean will be responsible for overseeing the academic programs of the school to assure the programs meet requirements of the board of trustees, the president, and accrediting and membership entities.
The Dean will oversee program review and ongoing assessment of all academic and support programs in the School of Law; will be responsible for assuring the School of Law is efficiently administering its academic and administrative programs and committees; and will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with important stakeholders. A priority for the Dean is to maintain a presence in local, state, national and international legal/education communities. The Dean will represent the School of Law and the university in public speaking opportunities to further enhance the reputation of the university and the School of Law.
Opportunities and Challenges:
Enrollment and Retention
OCU has seen growth in the overall enrollment of the School. In the next few years, it will be important to maintain that growth line that includes both new student enrollment and overall improved student retention of L2 and L3 students.
Enhance and Promote the Distinctiveness of the School
The OCU law school is in a very competitive region. The next dean must be able to share the story of why this should be the school of choice for students seeking a law degree. The commitment faculty and staff have to the success of students; the resources available to students to help ensure that success; and the access to community, regional, and state-wide networks should be broadcast clearly and often.
Fundraising and Revenue Development
Generate stronger external support through fundraising and outreach to friends in the community to grow student scholarships, add staff support, develop faculty, and promote student success.
Student Success
The next dean will continue to build strategies for academic success and provide research opportunities for students who bring varied academic backgrounds. A focus on increasing the overall bar passage rate for first-time and subsequent test takers will be an important priority.
Emergent Trends and Management Processes
Attend to the emergent trends and best practices in the administration and management of schools/colleges of law and bring an ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Alumni, Civic and University Engagement
Expand and reinforce relationships between the School of Law and its alumni regionally, nationally, and globally. Concurrently broaden relationships with the Oklahoma City community so there is an increased awareness of the value of OCU law students as contributing members to the justice system locally and regionally.
Communication and Transparency
Foster and promote a culture of open communication, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability among faculty, staff, and students across the university.
Budgetary Management
Plan and execute an administrative budget for the School of Law assuring that operations are executed within allocated funding, and actively seek additional ways to strengthen the revenue stream.
Faculty Development
Continue to build, develop, and retain a robust faculty who are sensitive to the needs of the students. The Dean will maintain and strengthen the intellectual, research, and service aspirations of faculty offering ongoing support and encouragement for scholarly activities the lead to publications in leading journals, the procurement of grants, and contributes to expanding knowledge vital to the practice and profession of law.
Diversity Efforts
Build on the existing successful diversity and inclusion initiatives that have enhanced the student experience, the academic programs and the faculty profile of the School of Law.
Background
The successful candidate will possess stellar academic and professional credentials sufficient to engender respect from the academy, the state, and the community at large. Preferably, the Dean will display both a successful record as a faculty member and evidence of leadership experience in higher education. The new Dean must understand shared governance and be adept in overseeing faculty and staff. The Dean must possess a maturity which promotes a natural exchange of thought with a diverse student body, community partners, alumni, and donors.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should possess:
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) or other terminal degree in law from an ABA accredited institution, and at least ten years of experience in the teaching and/or practice of law.
A record of successful fundraising experience and a demonstrated skill in partnering with university advancement officers to secure external gifts, grants, and funding to support law school programs.
Evidence of scholarly and professional achievement sufficient for appointment (with tenure) as a professor in the School of Law.
Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain relationships with external constituencies including donors, alumni, and community members.
Experience with national and international issues affecting legal and graduate education.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within the University, the School of Law, and the larger legal community.
A commitment to shared governance with the law school faculty.
The ability and desire to continue to build on collaborative programming opportunities across the university working specifically with the other academic deans.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Ability to work with diverse constituencies with multiple interests.
Knowledge, or a commitment to acquire such knowledge, of the Oklahoma legal environment.
Knowledge, or a commitment to acquire such knowledge, of budgeting, fiscal management, personnel management, academic planning, program review, strategic planning, and problem-solving.
A deep appreciation for legal scholarship, teaching, and service.
Demonstrated strategic, ethical, and effective leadership skills; a proven track-record as an innovator.
An effective communicator with a high level of integrity, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence; the ability to motivate and inspire faculty, staff, and students.
Knowledge of ABA accreditation procedures, practices, and standards.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate small and large group discussions.
Licensed to practice law in Oklahoma and/or their home state and in good standing with their bar association.
School of Law
Situated in the state capital, the OCU School of Law operates in a renovated historic building located in downtown Oklahoma City. The downtown location is enhanced by its proximity to numerous government agencies, law firms and service organizations and provides broad networking opportunities, internships, volunteer programs and entertainment, all within walking distance from the School of Law.
The School of Law’s academic programs and faculty strive for excellence, academic achievement, and public service. The law faculty at OCU prepare students to become servant leaders in their local community and the world. Students are passionate about making a global difference by transforming the strategies and resources provided to them at OCU, to contribute to the world.
With a full-time faculty body of 21, and an enrollment of 453 students, the School of Law offers a learning environment that is challenging and supportive. Faculty, students, community members, and alumni are closely connected through opportunities for students to contribute in areas such as the Oklahoma Innocence Project and the Judge Alfred P. Murrah Center for Homeland Security Law and Policy Center. With an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the School of Law is committed to providing a world-class education to their diverse student body. The law faculty is committed to the success of their students and prepares students to become servant leaders in their respective communities.
For more information regarding OCU’s School of Law, please visit: http://law.okcu.edu/.
About Oklahoma City University
Established in 1904, Oklahoma City University (OCU) is a coeducational, urban, private university which occupies 104 park-like acres in the heart of Oklahoma City. The university is affiliated with The United Methodist Church and offers a wide variety of degrees in liberal arts, performing arts, health sciences, and business, with 59 undergraduate majors and 27 graduate programs, including a J.D. degree through the Oklahoma City University School of Law. OCU enrolls 1,362 undergraduate students and 1,188 graduate students from 45 states and 37 countries. To learn more, https://www.okcu.edu/.
To Apply
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply before or by February 21, 2023, will be given first consideration. Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae/resume and a letter of interest.
Oklahoma City University pledges to recruit, select, and promote diversity by providing equality of opportunity in higher education for all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion and tenure, and applications for admission or employment, without discrimination or segregation based on sex (gender), race, age, ancestry, color, disability, genetic history, national origin, marital status, medical condition, religious creed, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, parenting status, status as a veteran, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics.
Established in 1904, Oklahoma City University (OCU) is a coeducational, urban, private university which occupies 104 park-like acres in the heart of Oklahoma City. The university is affiliated with The United Methodist Church and offers a wide variety of degrees in liberal arts, performing arts, health sciences, and business, with 59 undergraduate majors and 27 graduate programs, including a J.D. degree through the Oklahoma City University School of Law. OCU enrolls 1,362 undergraduate students and 1,188 graduate students from 45 states and 37 countries. To learn more, https://www.okcu.edu/.
