4
S T E T S O N L AWY E R
BRIEFS
STETSON UNIVERSITY SELECTS MICHÈLE ALEXANDRE
AS NEXT DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF LAW
B Y J A N I E G R A Z I A N I
Following a nationwide search, Stetson University
Executive Vice President and Provost Noel Painter,
Ph.D., announced the appointment of Michèle
Alexandre, a noted civil rights, gender and race
scholar, and author of The New Frontiers of Civil Rights
Litigation, as the next dean of Stetson University College
of Law in Gulfport, Florida. The appointment is effective
June of 2019. She is the College of Law’s first black dean.
“Dean Alexandre brings an extraordinary wealth of vision
and expertise to this position,” said Painter. “Her work in
civil rights and gender equity fit hand in glove with Stetson
Law’s emphasis on social justice and global citizenship, and
our ongoing work for veterans, the elderly and the
environment.”
“I am thrilled to join the Stetson family,” Alexandre
remarked. “Stetson’s commitment to training global citizens
and practice-ready lawyers represents a galvanizing
vision for legal education in the twenty-first century. The
College of Law’s priorities regarding social justice, academic
rigor and student engagement are dear to my heart. I am
eager to work with all aspects of the law school, the university
and with its amazing alumni to help the law school
continue to grow and reach new heights.”
Alexandre is currently serving as the associate dean for
Faculty Development and Intellectual Life, professor of law,
and the Leonard B. Melvin, Jr. Lecturer at the University
of Mississippi School of Law. Her broad expertise and
commitment to justice is evidenced in the organization of a
biennial national conference on sustainability and social
justice for poor populations in the rural South, occurring
since 2011. Alexandre has experience that allows her to be
laser-focused on excellence in legal education while leveraging
Stetson’s commitment to the core aspects of the liberal
arts. At the University of Mississippi, she chaired the
I am eager to work with all aspects of the law
school, the university and with its amazing
alumni to help the law school continue to
grow and reach new heights.
— Michèle Alexandre
undergraduate Honors curriculum committee, led the
Honors College faculty, and taught courses in the undergraduate
international studies program. She has a J.D. from
Harvard Law and was Colgate University’s first black
valedictorian.
“Michèle Alexandre will lead Stetson Law in educating the
next generation of outstanding Stetson lawyers,” said
Stetson University President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “She is
the right person to affirm and build on our reputation for
excellence.”