FAMU Law School Dean Resigns As Bar Exam Pass Rates Keep Falling

Tallahassee Democrat, FAMU Law School Dean Resigns as Bar Exam Passage Rates Keep Trending Downward:

Deidré Keller, dean of Florida A&M University’s College of Law, has resigned amid the school’s long trend of worsening bar exam passage rates.

Until an interim dean is appointed, the College of Law’s Associate Provost for Academic Programs Cecil Howard — who just stepped into that role a few weeks ago — will “assume the reins of leadership,” according to the university.

“The FAMU College of Law remains committed to its historical legacy of excellence and looks forward to making a lasting impact on the legal society both now and in the future,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson Watson said in a prepared statement. “The success of our students, faculty and staff remains our highest priority.”

Keller stepped down Wednesday after serving as dean for nearly four years. She will remain on the law school's faculty. ...

Historically Black college and university law schools are enduring a multi-year trend of decreasing bar exam passage rates. At the FAMU College of Law, 25 of 60 test-takers passed last July (41.7%), making the school the lowest-performing law school in Florida on the bar exam. ...

Howard is also principal of CEH Consulting, which is a firm that provides recruitment and leadership services to universities, nonprofits and corporations throughout the country. ... A special committee will meet in the coming days to appoint an interim dean, according to Watson, followed by a national executive search for a permanent dean this spring semester.