AddressDean, Thurgood Marshall School of Law
The Texas Southern University seeks an innovative, dedicated, and dynamic Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL). Under general supervision reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, the Dean of TMSL) will be the chief academic and administrative officer responsible for formulating and enforcing innovative policies designed to ensure that students are fully prepared to become licensed, successful, and ethical attorneys upon graduation. A prospective candidate demonstrates leadership qualities that effectively engage faculty, staff, students, alums, community members, and business representatives in support of the law school's development and growth. The candidate will also ensure that the law school contributes to society through teaching, scholarship, and service. They will be responsible for advancing the law school's historic mission of providing opportunities in the legal profession for the underserved and the economically and/or educationally disadvantaged. The candidate will strategically lead fundraising initiatives to generate revenue to position the law school's achievement of objectives and support of students. The Dean must manage a clear vision for increasing the law school's bar passage rate and stature on the local and national stages and will serve on the Deans' Council.
Founded in the 1940s, TMSL remains a leader in producing minority graduates. The Law School is currently ranked #1 in Texas both in producing minority graduates and producing African-American graduates. On the national level TMSL is also highly ranked as #2 in African-American graduates. The enrollment population is comprised of 550 total students, of which 200 are 1st-year law students. Located in Houston, Texas which is ranked third for most affordable living among the most populous U.S. metro areas and ranked second for being the home to the most Fortune 500 companies.
The ideal candidate will be a bold, visionary, collaborative, data driven leader with a presence in the legal community. We seek an innovative educator who can build multidisciplinary teams, provide innovative approaches to teaching, and understands the unique needs of faculty, staff, and students. This leader is able to lead change, operate with a sense of urgency, effectively manage people, administer innovative ideas, and serve as an effective advocate for the TMSL, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Experience with curriculum development and revision, compliance in ABA standards, leading a diverse faculty, enhancing clinics, and trial advocacy programs, with innovative approaches to teaching in a highly advanced and tech space, are highly desired.
The successful candidate will have a Juris Doctorate and experience in administrative leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, budgeting, and resource allocation, currently be a full professor with tenure, or have qualifications meriting appointment to the rank of full professor with tenure (a minimum of one (1) four published quality law review articles; (2) six years of quality teaching experience; and (3) six years of service to a law school, the legal community, and/or the public at large); and practiced law for at least four years.
Please direct inquiries and nominations to:
Marion Frenche, SHRM-CP
Associate Vice President of Executive Search
Practice Leader, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
marionfrenche@greenwoodsearch.com
Joe Stanley
Executive Search Consultant
joestanley@greenwoodsearch.com
Marion Frenche & Joe Stanley with Greenwood Asher & Associates® are assisting Texas Southern University in this search.
How to Apply
Application materials should be directed to Greenwood Asher & Associates:
TSUTMLAW@greenwoodsearch.com
Application materials should include:
- A letter of interest that clearly states the applicant's qualifications for the position
- A current résumé/curriculum vitae
- The name, relationship, and email address of five professional references
We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a confidentiality commitment for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made.
Texas Southern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Texas Southern University is an "at will" employer.
