Staying Home

Earlier this year, Washburn University announced the appointment of Jeff Jackson, BBA ’89, JD ’92, as the 25th dean for the School of Law following a nationwide search. The competitive process was led by a committee which included representatives from faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

“To have been selected for this role by President Mazachek, the search committee, and my colleagues is an honor,” Jackson said. “I hope to be able to justify the trust they have in me to move the law school forward.”

Jackson took on the role of interim dean in 2022 and provided key leadership through the transition to the new Robert J. Dole Hall. He led the addition of the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Center and implemented a bar pass program providing students with access to BARBRI, the gold standard in test preparation as part of their enrollment fees. Now, Jackson is eager to implement new strategies to elevate Washburn’s presence as a leader in legal education.

“Washburn provided me with the education that got me to this point,” Jackson said. “Part of my new responsibility is to ensure that Washburn is able to provide the same excellent education for the next generation of practice-ready lawyers.”

Recruitment, retention, and enhancing scholarship opportunities are some of his main priorities. While Washburn continues to award scholarships to first-year students based on factors such as their GPA and LSAT scores, Jackson has implemented a program where those students who do not receive scholarships initially can qualify for such scholarships based on their success in their first year of law school. Those scholarships remain the same annually during their time as a student. Jackson hopes to expand scholarship opportunities for students who arrive at Washburn Law and begin to excel.

“I want to continue to offer and to enhance those scholarships to attract the best students. However, there are also some students who don’t initially receive scholarships who arrive at the law school and really begin to take off,” Jackson explained. “I want to also have the ability to reward those students who are successful after they get here for their hard work and ensure they can complete their education.”

Jackson is also motivated to recruit and retain quality faculty. With 19 years of experience in the classroom, Jackson is uniquely qualified to identify the right faculty needed. He’s already made an impact by bringing on several noteworthy faculty members.

“Washburn Law has always had extraordinary educators,” Jackson said. “I’m optimistic we can continue to attract the best faculty and offer incentives for them to call Washburn home for years to come.”

While these initiatives are a priority for Jackson, he keeps the mission of the law school at the forefront of his work. Ensuring the graduates of Washburn Law are equipped to step into whatever legal role they choose is key to maintaining the mission of the law school.

“We have always prided ourselves on preparing practice-ready lawyers,” Jackson said. “Our mission has not changed. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be continually searching for new and better ways to achieve that mission.”

As he finishes his first full semester as dean, Jackson is committed to keeping alumni and friends of the law school informed of the latest news to come from Washburn. He’s already spent countless hours on the road visiting with alumni and friends near and far, sharing new initiatives. It has become an energizing part of the job he didn’t expect.

“When I first became interim dean, I knew what to expect day-to-day at the law school,” Jackson said. “I’d witnessed multiple deans attend meetings, interact with current and prospective students, and lead the law school. What I’ve learned since taking this role was how invigorating it is to be on the road telling the story of Washburn Law, especially as we continue to break enrollment records and bring new faculty on.”

Jackson will also go down in history as the inaugural James M. Concannon Dean and Professor of Law, the first named deanship at Washburn University. Created to honor the legacy of late Dean James Concannon, H ’24, it will empower deans to continue his legacy of exceptional leadership.