William J. Maier, Jr. Dean, College of Law

West Virginia University (WVU), the state’s flagship, land-grant university, invites applications and nominations for the position of the William J. Maier, Jr. Dean of the College of Law. The William J. Maier, Jr. Dean of WVU Law provides leadership, vision, and guidance for the College. The Dean is the chief officer of the College of Law and reports directly to the Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, of West Virginia University and is responsible for the leadership and management of the College. 

WVU is a law school on the move with many recent accomplishments.  Founded in 1878 and ABA-approved since 1923, the West Virginia University College of Law is an affordable and nationally recognized, accredited top-ranked law school. WVU Law is West Virginia University’s first professional school and is the only law school in the state. The curriculum is competitive and rigorous, combining the best in traditional legal education with dynamic law programs that address emerging challenges throughout our global society. With a focus on ethics, professionalism, and public service, WVU Law offers premier law degree and dual degree programs, and practice-ready experiences through law clinics and externships, guided by professors who are accomplished attorneys and distinguished legal scholars within a public research university.  WVU Law prepares top lawyers and dedicated leaders for careers that span public service, private practice, government, and business.

As the College’s chief administrative and academic officer, the Dean provides intellectual and strategic leadership, guiding the College in its commitment to innovative, relevant education for current and future generations of students. Specifically, the Dean’s responsibilities include building relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other key constituencies to envision and realize the College’s goals for advancement. Such work includes consulting with and empowering faculty to revise and develop curricula; elevating the college’s high standards of teaching, research and service; administering the College’s budget; recruiting faculty; building an inclusive, collaborative community culture; taking a lead role in other faculty personnel matters, including tenure, promotion, and renewal; and advocating for and advancing the College at the University and national levels.

The Dean will work collaboratively with the WVU administration, deans of other colleges, faculty, and staff to achieve WVU Law and University goals. The Dean also is responsible for developing, engaging, and cultivating alumni and other potential donors and for facilitating school service and outreach to the state in support of its commitment to the land-grant mission of the University. 

The next dean must be visionary, politically astute, and have a commitment to public service and to diversity, equity, and inclusion necessary to advance WVU Law and inspire its multiple constituencies. The ideal candidate will possess proven experience as an innovative, collaborative, and accomplished leader with a successful record of advancing complex organizations or institutions. Candidates must possess a J.D. or its equivalent from an accredited institution and a record of accomplishments (academic or experiential) to qualify for appointment at the rank of Professor.

 

How to Apply

 

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting West Virginia University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. For a full application package, please include a cover letter, CV/resume, list of five references, and questionnaire (supplied by Greenwood/Asher). Confidential inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher and Associates. Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. The priority date for initial screening of candidates is October 1, 2020.

 

Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to one of the following:

Jan Greenwood, Partner

Julie Holley, Senior Executive Search Consultant

E-mail: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com 

E-mail: julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com

 

 

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, and is 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 applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.