New dean lauds Mitchell Hamline’s ‘cutting-edge’ teaching

Listen to this article

Camille M. Davidson intends to do a lot of listening when she begins her tenure as president and dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law on July 1.

“I am going to spend the first 90 days listening and hearing from those who are there, getting to know the community, getting to know alumni, getting to know faculty, staff,” Davidson said in an interview Monday. “I will listen to them to hear what is working, where they see opportunities, and where they see the challenges. We’ll go from there with a strategic plan of what we are going to take on and move forward with.”

Mitchell Hamline announced Monday that Davidson, dean and professor at Southern Illinois University School of Law, will become the St. Paul school’s third president and dean since its formation in 2015, as well as the first Black woman to lead Mitchell Hamline or its predecessor institutions.

“I’m just excited about joining the institution, the members of the Board of Trustees, alumni, and faculty and staff that I was able to meet,” Davidson said. “Everyone that I met was very passionate about the institution and the predecessor institutions. There are so many members of the practicing bar and judiciary who are alums of either the predecessor institutions or current institution. I am just excited to get to know everybody and work with them.”

Mitchell Hamline School of Law was established in December 2015 through the combination of William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law.

“Camille emerged early as a clear standout in an extremely qualified field,” former trustee Jim Jacobson, who led most of the national search process, said in a news release. “Her extensive experience as a scholar and administrator, commitment to supporting students, and fundraising success make her an excellent choice for Mitchell Hamline.”

Since July 2020, Davidson has served as dean at Southern Illinois University School of Law, where she also is a law professor. Under her leadership at SIU, applications increased to the highest level in a decade. The diversity of entering classes soared from 8% to more than 28%. Employment rates for law school graduates increased from 79% to 94%. Davidson also brought in a $10 million donation to the law school, which is the largest gift in SIU history.

Before coming to SIU, Davidson was a professor and administrator at Charlotte School of Law and Wake Forest University School of Law. Davidson earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

“I have a unique skillset,” Davidson said. “I’ve been at an independent school before, so I know what works and what doesn’t work.”

Davidson will take the helm from interim President and Dean Jim Hilbert, who assumed the position after Anthony Niedwiecki resigned.

Besides becoming immersed in the Mitchell Hamline community, Davidson also wants to continue to integrate the school and the broader community.

“I imagine, through conversation, with members of the Minnesota bar, and with business leaders and elected officials, we will figure out what is needed in the region and determine where we need to build that relationship between the school and the community,” said Davidson.

There were a lot of things about Mitchell Hamline that excited Davidson about leading the institution. One of top things for her is the institution’s approach to teaching.

“This school is at the cutting-edge of blended learning,” Davidson avowed. “They really led the academy. As the American Bar Association begins to change their rules with respect to online education, I hope that we can continue to be a leader in this area, continue to lead the conversation about how we train lawyers to practice in this ever-changing environment.”

This pioneering model of legal education also has made Mitchell Hamline a leader in diversity efforts, Davidson said.

“The only way to true access to justice is to train people to serve their communities,” Davidson declared.

Citing their centers, as well as their many paths to get a J.D., Davidson believes that Mitchell Hamline is built to do just that.

“I really saw it as an institution that was really doing, as opposed to just saying,” Davidson asserted. “They have really put in place the places and spaces to create a diverse population of attorneys.”

Although Davidson recognizes the work ahead of her, she does not view it as a challenge. “I see opportunities, I don’t see challenges,” Davidson explained. “It’s a wonderful school, already doing amazing things. There are many opportunities to continue. I want to continue to enhance what is already there.”

“The biggest challenge for me is my thin, Southern blood,” admitted Davidson, who was born and raised in Mississippi. “I’ve already ordered two parkas, so I should be ready to roll.”

RELATED:

Mitchell Hamline initiative aims to confront antisemitism, clarify standards

Mitchell Hamline, others withdraw from U.S. News rankings

Mitchell Hamline marks 50 years of clinical education

Niedwiecki to resign as Mitchell Hamline dean

Mitchell Hamline’s Niedwiecki calls for end to bar exam