| The concept of the Women Deans’ Databank was not only insightful, it was also convenient for both candidates seeking positions as deans and dean search committees looking for individuals to lead their academic programs. It was started at the Georgetown University Law Center in 1997 to promote the visibility of women candidates, particularly senior women faculty, interested in serving as deans of law schools. In the fall of 2001, the Association of American Law Schools assumed the responsibility of administering and maintaining this databank. The potential of the Women Deans’ Databank, evidenced by the appointment of five new women deans during the 1998-1999 academic year and an additional seven women deans during the 1999-2000 academic year, prompted the AALS to institute a Minority Deans’ Databank, to raise the percentage of minority dean representation.
Gaining entry onto the lists is a simple task. Current deans of all ABA approved Law Schools are solicited for the names of senior women and minority faculty members who possess the qualifications to be considered for positions of deanship. Law school faculty members are also encouraged to nominate deserving peers and individuals may self-nominate if they are inclined to do so. |
Request for Nominations AALS would like to request that you provide the names of women and minority faculty members and administrators that you think should be included on one or both of these lists. Once we have received your nominations we will proceed to obtain the permission of the nominees to allow their names to be placed on lists that will be made available to dean search committees. You may send your list of nominees to the AALS Deputy Director at deandatabanks@aals.org. We also encourage you to use this service, whenever a dean search committee is formed. The Association would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this important initiative to enhance the opportunities of women and minority dean candidates. |
When the list of nominated candidates is compiled, the AALS sends out a letter of invitation to all nominated candidates. The nominees are asked to authorize the release of their names to dean search committees, as individuals actively seeking deanships or as candidates nominated but not currently seeking placement. Other useful information about prospective candidates is also garnered at this time, such as geographic preferences.
Participation in the nomination of candidates in the past has been encouraging. During the 1999-2000 academic year, 25 deans of numerous law schools recommended/nominated candidates to be included in the Women Deans’ Databank. At that time, a total of 67 women candidates were nominated.
The AALS looks forward to the continued and increased utilization of this resource. Diversity throughout the academy is a core value of the AALS and this resource provides a useful mechanism for the realization of an important goal.