School of Law Appoints Inaugural Associate Dean for Student Success

University Relations

Associate Dean Susannah Pollvogt

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Margaret Sova McCabe, dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law, has named Susannah Pollvogt to serve as the school's first associate dean for student success.  

"We are so fortunate to have Susannah in this new role," McCabe said. "This position builds on her expertise with bar readiness, academic success, and institutional assessment. The perspective her experience provides will allow her to work across the faculty and staff to coordinate our student success efforts while still supporting our bar and academic success programming."

As part of the student services team, Pollvogt will work closely with Jim Miller, senior associate dean for students, as well the admissions, career services, and externships offices. As an associate dean, she will be part of the dean's senior leadership, collaborating with Will Foster, associate dean for academic affairs; Tamla Lewis, associate dean for administration; and Laurent Sacharoff, associate dean for faculty research and development.

"Students are at the core of our mission here at the law school," Pollvogt said. "My goal is to make certain we understand their academic and career needs, and that we take a creative and holistic approach to addressing those needs."

Pollvogt joined the University of Arkansas School of Law faculty in 2016 as its inaugural director of academic excellence and bar skills, working extensively with students on an individual basis as well as leading academic skills workshops in small- and large-group settings to address issues such as time management, class preparation and participation, note taking, outlining, and exam skills.

"The first step in this process is to understand how our students experience all aspects of their legal education and professional preparation," Pollvogt said. "The more we can hear directly from students on this point, the better.  Then the next step is to assess our current student-facing programming and identify strengths as well as areas for improvement."  

Prior to joining the University of Arkansas, she taught at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, University of California Irvine School of Law, and Washburn University School of Law. She was in private practice for several years, served as a clerk for the Vermont Supreme Court, and was a staff attorney for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pollvogt holds a Bachelor of Arts in political philosophy from Williams College and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.