Assistant Dean for Admissions

Assistant Dean for Admissions

The University of Michigan Law School (Michigan Law), one of the nation's preeminent law schools, seeks a strategic, principled, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Assistant Dean for Admissions. Reporting to the Dean and serving as Michigan Law's chief admissions officer, the Assistant Dean will provide leadership and oversight for all aspects of JD and LLM admissions. This is a distinctive opportunity for an experienced leader to steward one of the most selective law school admissions processes in the country while advancing Michigan Law's longstanding commitments to academic excellence, access, and community.

Michigan Law has built and long sustained a national and international reputation not only for scholarly distinction and intellectual rigor, but also for a deeply collegial culture and a highly personal, judgment-driven admissions experience. The Assistant Dean will lead admissions strategy and decision-making in a manner that reflects these defining characteristics, balancing continuity in what has long worked well with thoughtful adaptation to a rapidly evolving legal education landscape. As the legal profession, applicant populations, and market dynamics shift, Michigan Law seeks an Assistant Dean who can exercise independent judgment, communicate transparently, and guide admissions practices with integrity and care.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Dean will lead a dedicated admissions team and collaborate closely with colleagues across the Law School, including faculty, senior administrators, marketing and communications, and financial aid, to support recruitment and yield efforts and to present a compelling and authentic case for Michigan Law to prospective students. Through thoughtful leadership and engagement, the Assistant Dean will play a central role in shaping incoming classes that will sustain Michigan Law's excellence for generations to come. The Assistant Dean will serve as a visible representative of Michigan Law within the broader legal education and admissions communities, contributing to conversations about access, assessment, and the future of the field. In doing so, they will address several key priorities, including:

• Lead the strategy and execution of admissions, recruitment, and enrollment for the JD and LLM programs in alignment with Michigan Law's mission and culture;
• Lead and inspire a service-driven admissions team committed to a highly personal and student-centered admissions experience;
• Build credibility and trusted partnerships with faculty, staff, and the entire Michigan Law community;
• Bring creativity, judgment, and rigor to the use of technology, data, and emerging tools in admissions;
• Serve as an external representative and ambassador for Michigan Law.

Required Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in law school admissions, other highly selective admissions environments, legal practice, or a related field
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including supervising professional staff and overseeing complex operations and budgets
• Strong analytical, fiscal, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision-making
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly in support of recruitment and outreach efforts
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
• An advanced degree or equivalent (JD preferred)