An extensive national search for a new dean for University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law ultimately revealed that the best man for the position was under the faculty’s collective nose the entire time. Marc L. Miller, who has been serving as the school’s interim dean since November, was chosen to fill the role on a permanent basis, and has already taken the law school’s reigns.
Miller joined Arizona Law in 2006, after serving as associate dean for faculty and scholarship at Emory University School of Law for 17 years. He joined Arizona as the Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law, and in his time at the school, has served as the co-director of the Program in Criminal Law and Policy and as the vice-dean. UA News reports that, over the course of his legal education career, Miller has authored more than 70 articles in criminal law and environmental law, with a focus on the regulation of prosecutors. He co-founded the Federal Sentencing Reporter, and serves as a series editor for Summits, which is a collaborative effort between the UA Institute of the Environment, the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, Biosphere 2 and the Biosphere 2 Institute.
In order to find a new dean, Arizona Law conducted a lengthy and extensive national search headed by Provost Emeritus George Davis. After recruiting candidates from a national pool, four were selected to interview with faculty, administrators, students, alumni and University leadership. Miller was one of the two finalists, and ultimately selected based, in part, on his performance as the school’s interim dean.
“He has a knack for developing creative and entrepreneurial solutions,” said Provost Andrew Comrie. “In addition, Marc has an astute eye for national trends, a commitment to interdisciplinary initiatives, and a great set of collaborators at the college, across campus, and in the community.”
Miller was made dean effective immediately after he was approved for the role. He will be the twelfth permanent dean of the school since it was founded in 1915.