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View Program DetailsCamille Davidson will start in the role on July 1, and brings experience both practicing and teaching law.
Mitchell Hamline School of Law has named Camille Davidson, a dean and professor at Southern Illinois University School of Law, as its new leader.
She will become the St. Paul law school's president and dean on July 1, taking over from Interim President and Dean Jim Hilbert.
"Camille emerged early as a clear standout in an extremely qualified field," said Jim Jacobson, a former member of the school's board of trustees, in a statement. "Her extensive experience as a scholar and administrator, commitment to supporting students, and fundraising success make her an excellent choice for Mitchell Hamline."
Davidson said she was drawn to the position because of Mitchell Hamline's innovative approach, including a blended learning option that allows students to do some of their courses online.
"I really think the only way to have true access to justice is to train people to serve their communities," she said. Mitchell Hamline "does a really, really good job with that and I'm excited to be a part of that community."
Davidson will be the third president of the law school, which was created in 2015 when William Mitchell College of Law combined with Hamline University School of Law. She'll be the first Black woman to serve as president and dean of Mitchell Hamline.
Before joining Southern Illinois University School of Law in July 2020, Davidson spent 11 years as a professor and administrator at Charlotte School of Law and Wake Forest University School of Law.
Her legal career began with a clerkship at the D.C. Superior Court in Washington, D.C., followed by a position as an assistant counsel in the Office of the Legislative Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives. She has also worked as a judicial hearing officer for the state of North Carolina, and in private practice in health law and estate planning and administration in Charlotte, N.C.
Davidson was born and raised in Mississippi. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center
She and her husband have two children.
"I'm really looking forward to the move to Minnesota," Davidson said, adding that she's already bought two winter coats to prepare. "I have a long history of both practicing law and teaching law in various environments and I look forward to bringing my wealth of experience to this region."
Read the full article from the Star Tribune: How one of Minnesota’s best-performing colleges confronts declining enrollment
Excerpt:
“The school of 2,200 students in the southern Minnesota town of St. Peter is ranked by the Wall Street Journal as the best college in Minnesota at delivering value for its cost. It’s tied with Macalester College in St. Paul as having the most economically diverse student body in the state in a study by the New York Times.
Despite such laudable marks, first-year student enrollment declined in 2020, 2021 and 2022 before moving back upward this fall.”
“Last month, faculty members approved a new curriculum to fix a problem that crept up on them and to make a clearer case for the value of a Gustavus education.”
“The curriculum change happened quickly — six months after the first meeting of the task force — though not easily, Knutson said. “Nobody likes letting go of things. It’s much easier to just add,” she said.
Some changes at Gustavus are easier. One is a rebranding of financial aid.
About 10% of Gustavus’ students would qualify for free tuition at state-run schools under the program, called the North Star Promise, approved by legislators this spring. Gustavus added up its aid to that group and found it easily matched the free tuition promise while getting more students to finish their degrees on time. With the state aid getting such attention, Gustavus put a name, the “Gustie Guarantee”, on its program.”
-Star Tribune, November 22, 2023
Read the full article from the Star Tribune: How one of Minnesota’s best-performing colleges confronts declining enrollment
“As well-established members of this community, it is incredibly encouraging to me and so many at the university that the Slaggie’s have chosen to assist us in this way. Their support demonstrates that they view Saint Mary’s as a pillar in the Winona area and beyond. They want us to stay and thrive, and they understand how critical we are to the local community. Barb and Steve believe that Saint Mary’s has what it takes to deliver on an excellent faith-based education. It is even more heartening to be recipients of their generosity since they knew we had to make difficult decisions over the last few years. Their gift is an affirmation of the direction we have moved in,” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary’s.
Read the full article here: Saint Mary’s announces $10 million gift from Slaggie Family Foundation; impactful gift tied to innovation and university’s future