SAN FRANCISCO, May 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Gate University President David Fike is proud to announce the appointment of Anthony Niedwiecki as the new Dean of the Golden Gate University School of Law. Coming from his previous position as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Niedwiecki brings a portfolio of administrative accomplishments and a commitment to diversity, inclusion and student success. His appointment begins August 1, 2017.

“We are delighted to welcome Dean Niedwiecki to join us as our Law School Dean,” said President Fike. “Anthony is a natural leader who is uniquely qualified to lead GGU Law during this disruptive period in legal education. He is not only dedicated to a high standard of academic excellence and scholarship, but he is also an innovative thinker with a wonderfully positive outlook and deep dedication to a student-centered learning environment.”

Dean Niedwiecki will succeed Rachel Van Cleave, who served as Dean since 2012 and is returning to full-time teaching at the Law School this fall. Niedwiecki will continue the work Van Cleave began to strengthen the Law School’s core mission of expanding access to the profession and to legal services by enhancing and broadening experiential opportunities for students.

As Associate Dean at John Marshall, Niedwiecki managed a broad set of responsibilities, including oversight of operations and academic programs at the law school. Niedwiecki led a thorough restructuring of the law school; oversaw expansion of its distance education and clinical education programs; supported the expansion of academic support and bar preparation programs; and began developing a partnership between John Marshall and the Barack Obama Presidential Center, among other achievements.

“I am honored to join Golden Gate University because I share the Law School’s goals of fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, valuing experiential learning and expanding access to the legal profession,” said Dean Niedwiecki. “My husband and I look forward to becoming a part of the Bay Area community.”

Dean Niedwiecki brings a record of leadership both within and outside of higher education. He began his career at John Marshall as Director of the Lawyering Skills Program, which was ranked number two by U.S. News & World Report while under his leadership. Sustained by a dedication to creating a positive impact in the community, Niedwiecki also has been a political leader. Earlier in his career, he was elected City Commissioner and Vice Mayor of Oakland Park, Florida. Niedwiecki has advocated for a number of causes, including civil rights for LGBT and African American communities.

Dean Niedwiecki earned his J.D. from Tulane Law School and his LL.M. in Legal Education from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. Prior to his tenure at John Marshall, Dean Niedwiecki was associate professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law School and assistant professor at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.  

“We conducted a broad national search and received applications from numerous outstanding candidates,” said Michele Benedetto Neitz, GGU Professor of Law and Chair of the Law School Dean Search Committee. “The faculty is thrilled to welcome Dean Niedwiecki, and we will enjoy working with him to open a new chapter for GGU Law.”

About Golden Gate University
Since 1901, non-profit Golden Gate University (GGU) has been helping adults achieve their professional goals by providing high quality, practice-based undergraduate and graduate educational programs in law, taxation, business and related professions in an innovative and challenging learning environment that embraces professional ethics and diversity.

About Golden Gate University School of Law (GGU Law)
GGU Law offers law programs that blend practical skills training with legal theory to prepare students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and leaders, with the flexibility to respond to changes in the legal profession. Founded in 1901, GGU Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and American Association of Law Schools (AALS).