Search begins for new dean of Penn State Law, School of International Affairs

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.—A national search is underway for the next dean of Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs (SIA).

Susan Welch, dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, will chair the search committee.

Distinguished Scholar in Residence James W. Houck, a retired vice admiral and former judge advocate general of the Navy, has served as interim dean for Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs since August 2013.

“Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs are extraordinarily well positioned to offer programs of the highest quality that prepare graduates to succeed in a 21st century global society,” said Nick Jones, executive vice president and provost. “The successful candidate will have the leadership and vision to advance Penn State Law as a premier institution among its peers.”

Penn State Law is Penn State’s law school on its University Park campus in State College, Pa. With an estimated budget of $24.5 million, Penn State Law offers a juris doctor degree, a number of joint degrees, and for foreign-trained attorneys, both master of laws and doctor of juridical science degree programs.

Founded in 2007, the School of International Affairs includes about 100 students from 14 countries and offers a two-year master of international affairs degree, and certificates in International Affairs, International Economic Development, and International Security.

The schools are housed in the state-of-the-art Lewis Katz Building on the University Park campus. Completed in 2009, the $60 million Katz Building was specifically designed to accommodate global legal education with advanced audio-visual equipment allowing for real-time connections to programs and speakers anywhere in the world. The LEED-certified building includes a courtroom technologically equipped to display evidence electronically, a café, classrooms, library and student meeting and study spaces.

Applications, nominations and inquiries should be emailed to PSUSearch@psu.edu or mailed to Susan Welch, chair, Search Committee for the Dean of Penn State Law, 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802.

The search committee will review applications and nominations beginning September 21 and will continue until the position is filled.

More information about Penn State Law, the School of International Affairs, and the dean search is available in the schools’ Dean Leadership Profile (PDF).