05/24/2022
With mixed emotions, and enormous pride in our law school, I sent the following message to our alumni community today. For what it is worth, I will always be a proud member of the Albany Law family.
Dear Alumni:
Last Friday, Albany Law School celebrated the Class of 2022 with its 171st Commencement ceremony. The well-deserved celebration was full of joy, inspiration, and pride for our incredible graduates and their families. As a community, we looked back on years of hard work, learning, and law school in a time of pandemic. We also looked ahead with excitement as our new graduates transition from student to professional, ready to take on their next challenge.
I too am looking ahead, and I am writing today to share some news. With the Law School moving in a positive direction on all fronts, I believe now is the time to begin a transition to new leadership. I have decided to end my term as president and dean at the end of my current contract, which runs until June 30, 2023. It’s an exciting time for Albany Law School, and I believe we will benefit when a new leader takes the helm with fresh ideas, energy, and inspiration to further elevate our school.
In the meantime, I remain at your service. I will continue to put everything I have into growing and improving our school. During my last year, I plan to continue to support our community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni; fund raise; teach; mentor students and employees; work to develop new flexible programs; improve our existing JD program; grow our graduate school; and begin implementation of a new strategic plan.
In other words, I’m still all in. And after I finish my current term, I expect that I will return to full-time teaching as a member of the faculty following a sabbatical leave. I love nothing more than working with our extraordinary students; I hope I can contribute meaningfully in that role.
Given that we have so much work to do in the months ahead, I am not going to spend time now reflecting on the past 8 years. There will be plenty of time for reflection this time next year. I will, however, take a moment to thank each one of you for the support and confidence you’ve shown me and our school. We would not be where we are without you.
Looking forward to another year of forward progress.
My best,
Alicia