Dean of the West Virginia University College of Law

Posting Date: 10/17/2014

Closing Date: Open until filled

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Status: Non-Classified

FT/PT Status: Full Time

SUMMARY:

West Virginia University (www.wvu.edu), the state’s flagship university, invites applications and nominations for the position of the William J. Maier, Jr. Dean of the West Virginia University College of Law.  Salary is nationally competitive.  The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Law and reports directly to the Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, of West Virginia University.  The Dean is responsible for the leadership and management of the College.  West Virginia University College of Law (www.law.wvu.edu), established in 1878, is the only law school in the state and is nationally known for the education of state and national leaders in government and the private sector.

WVU is a law school on the move with many recent accomplishments.  It enjoys strong support from the University and the state bar.

The College of Law has always offered a strong doctrinal curriculum, but its recent achievements include expanded experiential learning options throughout the curriculum, culminating in opportunities to participate in any of nine clinics as well as national and international externships.  The clinics include Child & Family (including a Medical-Legal Partnership), Entrepreneurship & Innovation, General Practice, Immigration, Innocence Project, Land Use and Sustainable Development, Tax, U.S. Supreme Court, and a Veterans’ Assistance Project.  In 2014, the college launched its first LL.M. program: Energy and Sustainable Development.  In 2015, it will accept students into its second LL.M. program: Forensic Justice.  For its 360 students, all of this is made possible through the dedication of nationally recognized faculty, research and teaching fellows, and committed administrators and staff.

To make such expansion of the curriculum possible, the law school just completed a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art addition with classrooms, a courtroom, offices for faculty and staff, a continuing legal education suite, a clinical suite with private entrance and parking, and an event center.  Renovations to the existing building will culminate in a completely redesigned library, student services suite, administrative suite, and student-organization offices.  The new wing and renovations, a $26 million project, were paid for by a 50/50 split between the University and private donations.  The University is nearing completion of its $1 billion capital campaign.

Founded in Morgantown in 1867, West Virginia University is a public land-grant university.  It is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as having high research activity, and it is the largest provider of higher education, research, and service in the state.  It has approximately 30,000 students and 190 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs supporting many multidisciplinary centers and projects, including health-sciences disciplines and a nationally recognized hospital. WVU’s tradition of academic excellence is evidenced by the number of Goldwater, Rhodes, and Truman scholarships awarded to its graduates.

Morgantown and its suburbs have approximately 150,000 residents.  It has been ranked as the “No. 1 Small City in America” by BizJournals.com.  Business Insider names Morgantown the 9th best college town in America.  Other recent rankings include Kiplinger.com -10 Great Places to Live; Sporting News – Best Sports Cities; Forbes – 5th Best Small Metro; Inc. – Hottest Small City; Kiplinger’s – 50 Smartest Places to Live; and Forbes – 2nd Best College Town for Jobs.  In addition to being a great place to live and work, Morgantown provides easy driving to many major metropolitan areas, including Pittsburgh (1 hour), Washington, D.C. (3 1Ž2 hours); Columbus, Ohio (3 1Ž2 hours), Philadelphia (5 hours), New York City (6 1Ž2 hours), and Chicago (8 hours).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Faculty, students and staff take pride in the law school being a supportive learning community that embraces diversity and inclusion.  The College of Law seeks a leader with a vision that places a priority on community, educational rigor, traditional and applied scholarship, globalization, and the public interest, particularly in service to the state through clinics, pro-bono, and public-interest opportunities.

West Virginia University College of Law seeks a dynamic academic leader with the ability to guide the college successfully.  Candidates must be excellent and energetic leaders.

Candidates will be expected to have the following qualifications:

• J.D. degree or its equivalent;
• established record as an exceptional teacher and scholar or comparable professional achievement meriting appointment as a tenured professor;
• communication and leadership skills;
• ability to plan strategically in a complex organization;
• ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators in an environment of shared decision-making and governance;
• ability to foster multidisciplinary collaboration throughout the university;
• ability to relate effectively to a variety of internal and external constituencies;
• commitment to community, diversity, inclusion, and social justice;
• skills in administrative and fiscal management; and
• skills and commitment to engage in fundraising.

APPLICATIONS:

Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of at least five references.  Review of applications will begin December 1, 2014, and continue until the position is filled.  Applications will be kept confidential during the initial screening of candidates.  The appointment is expected to begin July 1, 2015.

TO APPLY:

Scroll to the bottom of this ad and click “Apply Now” to complete the registration form and upload the required application documents.

All nominations should be sent to Deborah Brown at DLBrown@mail.wvu.edu with subject line: LAW DEAN.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff and students, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. 

Meeting the needs of today’s professional couples is a critical factor in WVU’s success in recruiting and retaining new faculty and senior staff.  Our Dual Career Program assists couples in your employment search. WVU belongs to the OH/Western PA/WV Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC). Please visit dualcareer.wvu.eduand ohwpawvherc.org for more information and job postings.

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