Assistant Dean of Academic Success (Instructional Specialist I, 12 Month Salaried), College of Law

FSU College of Law

Florida State University College of Law invites applications for a dynamic and student-centered professional to serve as the Assistant Dean of Academic Success. This leadership role is central to advancing student learning, academic achievement, and bar readiness. The successful candidate will oversee academic support initiatives, provide individualized advising, and collaborate across departments to foster an environment of excellence.

This position works closely with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean for Student Advancement, Director of Bar Success, and other faculty and staff to ensure comprehensive support for JD students throughout their academic journey.

Primary Responsibilities:

Student Advising and Support

• Provide academic advising to JD students across all years, including course planning, skill development, and academic goal setting.
• Offer individualized support to students facing academic challenges, particularly in legal analysis and foundational concepts.
• Partner with faculty and staff to identify students in need of intervention and develop tailored academic support plans.
• Collect and analyze student performance data to inform programming and meet ABA and related standards.

Program Development and Oversight

• Design and implement academic success programming, including courses, workshops, structured study groups, and skill-building sessions.
• Lead the Academic Fellows Program, including recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of upper-level student mentors.
• Develop initiatives that enhance legal reasoning, analysis, writing, and exam preparation across the curriculum.
• Present academic success content during orientations and workshops; contribute to program assessment and reporting.

Course Instruction

• Develop and teach one or more courses focused on academic skill-building for students needing support in legal analysis, writing, and exam strategies.
• Utilize evidence-based teaching practices to support a variety of learning styles.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Collaborate with the Director of Bar Success to ensure seamless support from academic success through bar preparation.
• Serve as a key member of the law school’s leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and student success initiatives.
• Maintain strong relationships with faculty, student organizations, and university-wide support services. Compile relevant data and statistics as needed.

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school required.
• Minimum of five years of post-law school experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to identify methods to enhance learning for multiple learning styles.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound, ethical, and professional judgment.
• Proficiency in compiling and analyzing data for statistical analysis.

• Minimum of five years of post-law school experience in legal education or academic success.
• Experience in curriculum development and teaching.

Please direct questions to:

Nancy Benavides, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Advancement

nbenavid@law.fsu.edu

One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!

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If qualified and interested in a specific Faculty job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://hr.fsu.edu/facultyjobs. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include education details even if attaching a Vita.

This is a Faculty position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.