Completing the Search
In mid-January , the search committee and Anthem Executive were in the process of building the candidate pool . “ Once a candidate pool is assembled , the search committee will conduct several rounds of interviews with selected candidates , perform background and reference checks , and solicit substantial feedback from stakeholders ,” Link explains .
The search committee ’ s timeline scheduled the review of applicants for mid-February , with zoom interviews to be conducted the last week of February . Three to five finalists would then be selected for interviews during the first week of March , with a goal of providing the search committee ’ s summary of candidate strengths and weaknesses to Link by mid-March .
When the committee has decided on finalists and the finalists attend their campus interview , faculty , staff , and students will have the opportunity to hear and ask questions of those candidates as well .
“ Ultimately , the committee will submit a report with its recommendations to my office for further deliberation and a hiring decision ,” Link says . “ As provost at UND , the Dean of the School of Law is a direct report . I will render the hiring decision at the conclusion of the process , but the decision will be fully informed by the work of the search committee .”
With an anticipated starting date of July 1 , the next dean will succeed McGinniss . He has elected to return to full-time teaching and research after leading the School of Law through a period of enrollment growth , program expansion , and increasing visibility across the state of North Dakota . “ Dean McGinniss served as an exceptional representative of the School of Law . He approached the position with enthusiasm and dedication . Along with Associate Dean Julia Ernst , Dean McGinniss demonstrated UND ’ s commitment to ensuring North Dakota will have a strong law school and , in turn , a strong bar ,” says Jensen .
Looking to the Future
“ Personally , I would like to see the new dean be an individual with a passion for UND and the state of North Dakota ,” says Olson . “ I don ’ t think there is a single , additional quality more important than that . I would like the new dean to know and understand the importance of working with the legislature , of supporting the state bar , and producing high-quality candidates . I want someone who can build upon the foundations already in place and can continue the growth upward . There is no place better to practice law than North Dakota .”
McGinniss echoes this sentiment , noting he is hopeful the new dean will share his great passion for providing a strong , wellrounded legal education to the UND law students , “ and continue our longstanding culture of caring about our students as individual persons and mentoring them as developing professionals ,” he notes .
“ Through a successful search for the new Dean of the UND School of Law , we have an opportunity to reinforce and build upon the significant advancements we have made in the past three years in our student enrollments , educational curriculum , and public and private funding ,” McGinniss continues . “ As we are North Dakota ’ s Law School , the continuation of these successes will provide great benefits to the North Dakota bar and the practice of law .”
Tomczik notes a strong law school is led by strong leader . “ I believe we already have a fantastic faculty , students , alumni , and community support , and our most recent deans have put us in a great position to achieve further success . Having a new dean that can take the reins with this kind of support will not only help the law school , but UND , to have a bright future . A successful new dean can ensure our school will provide the region and country with knowledgeable , skilled , and practice-ready attorneys .”
For additional information on the School of Law Dean Search visit : http :// blogs . und . edu / und-today / 2021 / 12 / law-dean-search-begins .
SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Amy Henley , Dean , Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and Committee Co-Chair
Chief Justice Jon Jensen , Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court and Committee Co-Chair
Nikola Datzov , Assistant Professor of Law Ariana Meyers , Assistant Professor of Law Alexandra Sickler , Professor of Law Pam Shea , Director of Student Life , School of Law
Julie Simon , Director of Finance & Administration , School of Law
Taylor Olson , Shareholder / Attorney with Furuseth , Olson & Evert ; SBAND Board of Governors Representative , Northwest Judicial District
Judge Johnathan Judd , Minnesota District Judge , 7th Judicial District
Jennifer Puhl , Assistant United States Attorney in the District of North Dakota
Lu Jiang , Pro Bono Manager , Legal Counsel for Youth and Children
Mike Mannausau , Vice President of Development , UND Alumni Association and Foundation
Zachary Tomczik , UND School of Law Student Representative
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