The University of Arkansas School of Law has rescinded its offer to appoint Emily Suski as dean, a decision influenced by political considerations. State Representative Nicole Clowney indicated that Suski’s appointment led to political differences, prompting multiple state elected officials to threaten substantial funding reductions in the upcoming fiscal session.
Suski, who was set to assume the deanship on July 1, 2026, was to succeed Dean Cynthia Nance, who has been serving in the role since July 2022. Nance, the first woman and first person of color to lead the law school, was reappointed in November 2023 to continue her tenure through June 2026. ([news.uark.edu](https://news.uark.edu/articles/68016/cynthia-nance-appointed-as-dean-of-the-school-of-law-through-2026?utm_source=openai))
The university had initiated a national search for a new dean in July 2025, with applications due by September 19, 2025. The search committee, chaired by Brian Raines, Dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, aimed to find a dynamic leader to set the school’s strategic direction and enhance its national visibility. ([news.uark.edu](https://news.uark.edu/articles/79731/u-of-a-launches-dean-search-for-the-school-of-law?utm_source=openai))
Suski, previously Associate Dean for Strategic and Institutional Priorities at the University of South Carolina School of Law, holds a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina and a Master of Laws from Georgetown University. ([thefacultylounge.org](https://thefacultylounge.org/2026/01/emily-suski-named-dean-of-arkansas-law/comment-page-1/?utm_source=openai))
The university has not yet announced its next steps in selecting a new dean for the School of Law.