Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Northwestern University, Pritzker School of Law
Chicago, IL
The Search
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (the Law School) seeks a collaborative, action-oriented leader to serve as Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Associate Dean). The Associate Dean will serve as a key partner to the dean and as member of the senior leadership team. This leader will collaborate with the dean, other senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to advance the law school’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement and make the law school a more welcoming and inclusive environment. This is an incredible opportunity to directly impact diversity, equity, and inclusion and social and racial justice at one of the top law schools in the country, as well as more broadly. The Associate Dean will be supported to make progress at the Law School and in local, state, national, and international leadership on these issues.
The Law School has deep roots in social justice work. In 1919, Dean John Henry Wigmore required that all students be exposed to the practical side of the law through work at Chicago’s free legal services agencies. Students at the Law School continue this work today, reforming laws and advancing justice and access to justice in Chicago and beyond through the top-ranked Bluhm Legal Clinic and Center for Public Interest. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law was one of the first law schools in the country to establish an associate dean position and office to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion is, and continues to be, a key goal of the law school. The administration is committed to concrete action grounded in listening and hearing rather than performative, and largely symbolic, initiatives.
While the Law School has made serious efforts to live up to its institutional values, the Law School’s leadership and community recognize that there is work to do and that needed progress will require commitment and strong leadership. Dean Hari Osofsky started in August 2021 and already has taken significant steps to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement at the law school. The Associate Dean will report to and collaborate with Dean Osofsky to move forward diversity, equity, and inclusion at a time when change is welcome and supported at both the Law School and University.
The Law School is seeking candidates who will collaboratively develop and implement a strategic plan and accompanying action and programming to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement as a key part of the law’s school strategic plan; support efforts to recruit, develop, and retain diverse faculty, staff, and student body; advance efforts to strengthen the sense of belonging among an increasingly diverse community; develop ways to foster the engagement of faculty, staff, students, and alumni in DEI work; and provide thought-leadership and cultivate key partnerships internally and externally.
Please direct all inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications in strict confidence below.
Donna Cramer, Partner
Tim McFeeley, Partner
Alexis Ditaway, Associate
Northwestern prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, reproductive health decision making, or any other classification protected by law in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or services, or in the educational programs or activities Northwestern operates.
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