Wayne State University

Dean, Law School

Wayne State University seeks a dean to lead the Law School. Building upon its longstanding reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and public service, Wayne Law offers its next Dean a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the country's leading urban public law schools, strengthening its impact in Detroit, across Michigan, and throughout the legal profession. This is an opportunity for an imaginative, collaborative leader to help define what a leading public law school can be. With Detroit’s continued transformation, the strength of a major urban research university, and a deep commitment to access and excellence, Wayne Law offers an exceptional platform for innovation and impact.

Located in Midtown Detroit, Wayne State University was established in 1868 and has grown into one of the nation’s premier urban research universities. Wayne State was originally founded as the Detroit Medical College and has since evolved into a major, Carnegie R1 institution and Michigan’s only public urban research university.

Wayne State is home to more than 24,000 students and is the third largest among Michigan's 15 public universities and one of the 50 largest in the nation. The students at Wayne State experience an academically rigorous, community-centered university and benefit from learning experiences through internships, externships, clinics, and other opportunities to connect with people and institutions throughout the city of Detroit and beyond.

Wayne State University's refreshed strategic plan, Our Moment Is Now, was adopted in 2026 to build on the strong foundation established by previous strategic plan, Our Moment in Time, while sharpening the University's focus for the years ahead. The University's strategic priorities are supported by continued investment in its campus infrastructure and research enterprise.

Wayne Law is ranked in the top 65 law schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and number 2 in Michigan. The School is recognized for delivering exceptional value and outcomes, as it combines affordability with academic rigor, consistently achieving strong bar passage rates and outstanding employment outcomes. As Michigan's most affordable law, Wayne Law is a destination for first-generation students, working professionals, and individuals seeking flexible pathways into the legal profession. The School is distinguished by a collaborative, student-centered culture where faculty, staff, and students share a deep commitment to each other's success.

Wayne Law's influence extends well beyond its campus through a powerful and highly engaged alumni network. More than 12,000 graduates serve as leaders throughout Michigan and across the nation, holding prominent positions in government, the judiciary, private practice, business, higher education, and public interest organizations. Wayne Law has a reputation as one of the state's most influential contributors to the legal profession and public life.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of Wayne State University Law School, providing strategic leadership to advance the School's mission. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and working closely with University leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the legal community, the Dean is responsible for shaping the School's strategic direction.

The next Dean will lead during a period of significant transformation in higher education and the legal profession. Changing student expectations, affordability and financial pressures, technological disruption, and evolving approaches to legal practice will require an agile leader who sees opportunities to innovate while working collaboratively with faculty and staff.

The next Dean will be an accomplished and collaborative executive with demonstrated success leading complex academic organizations through periods of growth and change. They will have experience managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while balancing strategic opportunities with operational realities.

Candidates should possess a J.D. degree and scholarly accomplishments that merit appointment as a tenured full professor. They will bring demonstrated success in fundraising, relationship development, and external engagement. The Dean will be a creative, entrepreneurial, and forward-looking leader who understands the rapidly changing landscape of legal education. They should demonstrate a genuine appreciation for Wayne State Law's unique role within Detroit and embrace the opportunity to build meaningful relationships throughout the city and state. The Dean will be an approachable, visible, and highly collaborative leader who values shared governance and fosters open communication across the School.

The full position description can be found at: https://bit.ly/WayneLawDeanSPEC

Wayne State invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the Law School. Interested candidates should confidentially submit a curriculum vitae and letter of interest (Adobe PDF files preferred) to:

Joi Hayes-Scott & Jett Pihakis

Consultants to the Search Committee

Russell Reynolds Associates

WayneState.Law@russellreynolds.com

For full consideration, materials should be received as soon as possible, and no later than December 15, 2026.