The U of A School of Law has announced the 2025 Dean's Circle Award recipients. The awards recognize faculty for their excellence in teaching and advising, research and scholarship, and public service and honor a staff member for commitment and dedication to students and the law school community.

"These remarkable members of our law school community have a meaningful and lasting impact. Through their dedication, they enrich the lives of our students, strengthen the legal profession and help make our school the vibrant, supportive place it is," said Dean Cynthia Nance.

The School of Law Awards Committee recommends the recipients of the Dean's Circle Awards. Each award carries an honorarium payment of $1,000.

FACULTY AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP - AMELIA MCGOWAN

This award recognizes scholarship that is novel or inherently excellent, addresses complex material, is well researched, well written, well placed, well received by experts in the field and is influential among lawyers, judges or the legal academy.

The committee selected McGowan, assistant professor and director of the Immigration Clinic, for her consistent production of high-quality scholarship and its impact as an early career scholar. Her articles appear in the Columbia Human Rights Law Review and the Marquette Law Review. She served as deputy editor for the Latin America and the Caribbean section of the American Bar Association's The Year in Review - 2023, a publication of the International Law Section. She regularly presents her research at conferences across the country and abroad, including several distinguished presentations delivered in Spanish. Her ongoing engagement with law faculty in Argentina, Costa Rica and Uruguay reflects her growing influence in international legal scholarship.

"Receiving this award is a tremendous honor, and I am especially thankful to be part of a community that actively supports the scholarly development of its junior faculty," McGowan said.

FACULTY AWARD FOR TEACHING - SARA GOSMAN

This recognition is given to a faculty member who implements pedagogical techniques that engage students in reflecting on their own learning process, stimulate critical and creative thinking and incorporate formative assessment. 

The committee agreed that she "balances patience and understanding with high expectations for her students." When the School of Law required coverage in torts, associate professor Gosman stepped in without hesitation. She teaches a broad range of courses that vary each year. Gosman combines lecture-based instruction with discussion while also incorporating a variety of skill-building exercises. She actively engages with professional communities outside of academia, which allows her to remain abreast of emerging developments in environmental law and energy law, which she is able to share.

"I'm very honored to receive this award. Teaching is one of the most meaningful parts of my career," Gosman said. "It is a privilege to guide students on the path to becoming members of the legal profession, and the students' dedication and insight continue to inspire me every day." 

FACULTY AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE - ANNIE SMITH

Presented to a faculty member who models excellence through outstanding service to law school, legal academy or legal community, this award is particularly important for a public, land-grant university. 

The committee selected Smith, professor of law and director of the Civil Litigation & Advocacy and the Human Trafficking Clinics, for her extensive service to the state. Since March 2023, she has served as chair of the board of directors for Legal Aid of Arkansas (and previously served in other roles since 2014). Since December 2023, she has been a voting member of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council and served as co-chair of the Training Subcommittee. She assists the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in training on human trafficking, and she provides technical assistance on labor trafficking and other labor issues to more than six groups throughout the state and to private attorneys. In addition, she advises the Arkansas attorney general on human trafficking, including presenting at workshops.

"I am grateful to be honored alongside my truly wonderful colleagues," Smith said. "Public service is a core responsibility of lawyers, and I appreciate the opportunity to do this work."

OUTSTANDING STAFF MEMBER - LYNDA LLOYD

The School of Law also recognizes a staff member who has greatly impacted a graduating student or students.

The committee members chose Lloyd, travel manager, because "she goes above and beyond when it comes to student and faculty travel. She is flexible and quick to troubleshoot as travel issues arise." Lloyd's colleagues noted her positive (and fun) demeanor and her willingness to always step in to help.

"Color me both amazed and humbled. I was truly surprised to find out I had received this honor, yet at the same time, my thoughts immediately went to all my hard-working and deserving coworkers," Lloyd said. "My utmost gratitude to the committee. Working at the law school makes it easy to give your best every single day."