Dean, Gonzaga University School of Law

Gonzaga University seeks a visionary, dynamic, and strategic leader to serve as Dean of the School of Law. Reporting to the Provost and serving as the chief administrative and academic officer of the School, the Dean will build upon established and successful programs. The Dean will bring an inclusive and collaborative leadership style that inspires faculty, students, and staff to build a shared vision for the future, working within the School to educate students who graduate ready to deploy exceptional technical and creative skills.

Gonzaga seeks a Dean who will work to invest in its people, and promote an ethos of professionalism, service, and care. The Dean will navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education broadly, and of legal education specifically, while fostering a strong foundation of collaboration and shared governance processes for innovatively addressing Gonzaga's opportunities and challenges. The Dean will provide visionary and operational leadership, in alignment with the University’s strategic direction, setting priorities for the School and guiding it toward its goals of enhancing and promoting professional practice, research, community-engaged work, and excellence in legal education with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders.

In collaboration with President Passerini, Interim Provost Bertagnolli, and other leaders to support Gonzaga University’s mission, the Dean will work closely with School leadership and the faculty to advance interdisciplinary and University-wide opportunities and external collaborations.

The Dean is the Law School’s chief advocate and steward, promoting its achievement and spearheading its fiscal development and fundraising activities. In compliance with the University governance and management structure, the Dean also manages the strategic direction of the Gonzaga Law Foundation Board, a 501c3 organization. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised millions of dollars in private commitments to support scholarships, programs and initiatives for Gonzaga University School of Law.

The Dean is also the School’s public voice, promoting innovative ideas and solidifying partnerships within Gonzaga, locally, nationally, and internationally as a recognized leader. The successful candidate will be a collegial, nationally recognized, and entrepreneurial leader prepared to advance the mission of the School and to support and sustain several existing areas of innovation, including new programs currently in development and ideation.

The Dean provides academic, intellectual, and administrative leadership for the School and works collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners to advance the School’s mission of educating professional students in a supportive, innovative, and inclusive learning environment. The Dean fosters excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and professional practice; supports the success and development of faculty and staff; and promotes meaningful engagement with the communities and professions the School serves.

Bringing organizational management leadership experience, the successful candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, build bridges to the greater university, legal, and professional communities, and partner with donors and philanthropic entities to effectively fundraise and advance the career aspirations of students. The next Dean must also possess a commitment to, and track record of, outcomes fostering an equitable and inclusive environment.

EEO Statement:
Gonzaga University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university. The University does not discriminate against any person…