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Pritzker Law School at Northwestern University

Law School Seeks New Dean

Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law is searching for a new dean.

The university recently formed a search committee to seek out a dean who will succeed Pritzker Professor Kimberly Yuracko, who stepped down on July 31, The Daily Northwestern reports. Yuracko will join the Office of the Provost as associate provost for academic projects.

“President Schapiro and I are grateful for the work Dean Yuracko has done to support our students and strengthen the Law School during her tenure,” Provost Kathleen Hagerty says in a July press release. “She has led the school during a challenging time of cost constraints, while successfully introducing new student and alumni programs and recruiting four exceptional faculty members.”

THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DEAN

The committee, which was announced last week, includes members of the law school faculty, student body, alumni and staff who are tasked with identifying candidates to fill the dean position.

“The committee will begin its work immediately and will engage the Law School community to solicit input on the desired attributes and experience of the new dean, and to seek assistance in identifying potential candidates for the role,” according to a press release by the university.

YURACKO’S LEGACY

During her tenure as Pritzker dean, Yuracko prioritized supporting students in their law school education. She implemented a team-based approach to academic and career counseling and launched a mentorship program between alumni and incoming law students.

Additionally, Yuracko launched initiatives to support Pritzker alumni including dedicated full-time career advisors exclusively to alumni and development programs such as webinars and alumni peer groups.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yuracko helped transition the law school and support students by forming a Jobs Task Force of faculty, deans, and administrators who helped secure job positions for law students in search of summer employment. Additionally, Yuracko established the Student Assistance and Relief (STAR) Fund, distributing more than $170,000 in emergency funds to more than 80 students.

“I am proud of the work I have done strengthening the Law School’s finances, recruiting four tremendous new faculty members and supporting our students through these challenging times,” Yuracko says in a press release. “It has been an exceptional privilege to lead the Law School community for the last two years. While I am sad to be taking a more distant role vis a vis the Law School, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the broader University and to aid in transitioning our academic programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Sources: The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern Now, Northwestern Now

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