Position Profile

1. 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.

2. Enhance and Promote the Distinctiveness of the School

The OCU law school is in a highly 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 statewide networks should be broadcast clearly and often.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Communication and Transparency

Foster and promote a culture of open communication, inclusivity, transparency and accountability among faculty, staff and students across the university.

8. 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.

9. 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 that lead to publications in leading journals, the procurement of grants and contributes to expanding knowledge vital to the practice and profession of law.

10. 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.

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.

The successful candidate should possess:

1. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) or other terminal degree in law from an ABA accredited institution, and at least 10 years of experience in the teaching and/or practice of law.
2. 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.
3. Evidence of scholarly and professional achievement sufficient for appointment (with tenure) as a professor in the School of Law.
4. Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain relationships with external constituencies including donors, alumni and community members.
5. Experience with national and international issues affecting legal and graduate education.
6. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within the University, the School of Law and the larger legal community.
7. A commitment to shared governance with the law school faculty.
8. The ability and desire to continue to build on collaborative programming opportunities across the university working specifically with the other academic deans.
9. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Ability to work with diverse constituencies with multiple interests.
10. Knowledge, or a commitment to acquire such knowledge, of the Oklahoma legal environment.
11. Knowledge, or a commitment to acquire such knowledge, of budgeting, fiscal management, personnel management, academic planning, program review, strategic planning and problem solving.
12. A deep appreciation for legal scholarship, teaching and service.
13. Demonstrated strategic, ethical and effective leadership skills; a proven track-record as an innovator.
14. An effective communicator with a high level of integrity, sound judgment and emotional intelligence; the ability to motivate and inspire faculty, staff and students.
15. Knowledge of ABA accreditation procedures, practices and standards.
16. Demonstrated ability to facilitate small and large group discussions.
17. Licensed to practice law in Oklahoma and/or their home state and in good standing with their bar association.