Alena Allen, who made history in 2023 as the first Black woman to serve as dean of Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, has reached a settlement with the university following her removal from the position in late August 2025. The agreement, described as an “amicable resolution,” addresses all claims related to her departure.
Allen’s tenure as dean began in July 2023, following her role as deputy director for the Association of American Law Schools and professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Her appointment was celebrated as a significant milestone for LSU Law, reflecting the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. ([lsu.edu](https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/news/2023/02/27_lawschool_dean_allen.php?utm_source=openai))
However, in late August 2025, Allen was informed by LSU Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Troy Blanchard that the LSU Board of Supervisors had decided to “make a change in leadership at the law school” due to a shift in direction. This decision led to Allen’s removal from the deanship, a move she contends was not voluntary. ([diverseeducation.com](https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15754287/lsus-first-black-law-dean-alleges-discrimination-in-forced-departure?utm_source=openai))
Allen alleged that her dismissal was influenced by racial and gender discrimination, particularly after she raised concerns about financial irregularities in the law school’s budget that predated her tenure. She claimed that her efforts to address these issues were met with resistance and that she was held to a more exacting standard than her predecessors. ([diverseeducation.com](https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15754287/lsus-first-black-law-dean-alleges-discrimination-in-forced-departure?utm_source=openai))
In response to these allegations, LSU announced that Allen would transition to a full-time faculty position at the law school. The university also stated plans to conduct a national search for her successor, aiming to have a new dean in place by the end of the spring 2026 semester. ([wbrz.com](https://www.wbrz.com/news/lsu-s-first-black-law-school-dean-to-step-down?utm_source=openai))
Allen’s departure is part of a broader trend of high-profile Black administrators leaving LSU. Earlier in 2025, the university’s first Black president, William Tate, departed for Rutgers University, and other Black leaders, including General Counsel Winston DeCuir and Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly Lewis, also stepped down. ([wbrz.com](https://www.wbrz.com/news/lsu-s-first-black-law-school-dean-to-step-down?utm_source=openai))
The settlement between Allen and LSU marks the conclusion of a contentious chapter in the university’s leadership history. While the terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed, both parties have expressed a desire to move forward amicably.