Friday, May 16, 2008
Page 3
Regents Confirm New UC Davis Law School Dean
By a MetNews Staff Writer
The University of California Board of Regents confirmed Kevin R. Johnson as dean of the UC Davis School of Law yesterday, making him the first Latino to lead a law school in the University of California system the school announced yesterday in a release.
The 49-year old is scheduled to assume his new position on July 1, replacing current dean Rex Perschbacher, who has led the school since 1998 and will return to the faculty.
Johnson praised his predecessor for doing a “truly outstanding job in overseeing an intellectual renaissance at the law school, hiring an extraordinary group of the most diverse faculty in the United States” in the release.
“I am committed to doing what it takes to keep the best and brightest faculty and students from a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives,” the release quoted Johnson as saying. “In my mind, this is what a public law school should strive for.”
He joined the UC Davis law faculty in 1989, and was named associate dean for academic affairs in 1998. The Harvard Law School alum and Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest and Chicana/o Studies is the author of six books, including “How Did You Get to Be Mexican? A White/Brown Man’s Search for Identity,” focusing on his upbringing as the son of an Anglo father and Mexican mother in Los Angeles.
He has also written numerous law review articles on immigration, race issues and civil rights.
In addition, he currently serves as president of the board of directors of Legal Services of Northern California, on the board of directors of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and on the Immigration Policy Group of Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Copyright 2008, Metropolitan News Company