Penn State Dickinson Law has announced that Dean Danielle M. Conway will step down from her role and return to the faculty, effective immediately. This decision follows recent congressional hearings where a former student accused the law school of “ideological coercion” related to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Conway, who has led the law school since 2019, is recognized for her contributions to antiracist legal education. Under her leadership, the school implemented a mandatory first-year course titled “Race and the Equal Protection of the Laws,” aiming to address systemic racism through legal education. Additionally, Conway established the Antiracist Development Institute to dismantle structures supporting systemic racial inequality. ([dickinsonlaw.psu.edu](https://dickinsonlaw.psu.edu/academics/a-leader-in-antiracist-legal-education?utm_source=openai))
The controversy emerged when David Blackman, a former student and military veteran, testified before Congress, alleging that the mandatory course required students to “acknowledge the reality of systemic racism,” which he perceived as a form of ideological coercion. Blackman stated that his objections to the course led him to leave the law school. ([freebeacon.com](https://freebeacon.com/education/penn-state-law-dean-resigns-amid-fallout-from-schools-anti-racism-class-and-free-beacon-report/?utm_source=openai))
In response to Conway’s departure, Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos emphasized the university’s commitment to providing an excellent legal education at Penn State Dickinson Law. Laura Williams has been appointed as acting dean while the university searches for an interim dean. ([psu.edu](https://www.psu.edu/news/administration/story/penn-state-dickinson-law-dean-danielle-conway-return-faculty?utm_source=openai))
Conway’s tenure at Penn State Dickinson Law was marked by significant initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal education framework. Her return to the faculty will allow her to continue contributing to the institution’s academic mission.