'Insider' Deaning

Abstract

This essay discusses the positives and the negatives of being an “insider” law school dean, one who arrives as dean with considerable knowledge of and history with the law school, either as an alumnus/a, a faculty member, or in some cases, both. The essay identifies and discusses four factors that, ironically, may be both strengths and weaknesses for an “insider” dean: knowledge of the faculty, respect and credibility with the faculty, familiarity with the institutional environment, and the “I am not going anywhere” syndrome. The essay concludes that insider deans face some challenges that deans arriving from the outside do not, but the opposite is also true. Ultimately, insider deaning has significant rewards, just like outsider deaning.