The Dedman School of Law formally welcomed its new dean, Jennifer Collins, at the Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas Wednesday night.

“I could not have imagined a better time and a better place to be spending my three-month anniversary, ” Collins said.

Since starting the position July 1, Collins has already executed a four-core commitment to help her students succeed amid “challenging times” for law school graduates struggling to find jobs.

Collins believes the keys to success for the law school are providing real-world skills to its students, reducing the cost of education, emphasizing service to the community, as well as securing speedy employment for soon-to-be graduates.

After extensive experience serving as Vice Provost and Professor of Law at Wake Forest University, numerous law publications and a recent book, Privilege or Punish? Criminal Justice and The Challenge of Family Ties, Dean Collins is more than prepared to make Dedman Law successful as ever.

Collins said her choice to come to Dallas was reaffirmed when she received a “warm and wonderful welcome” from the city and after experiencing the energy and excitement that teems throughout the law school.

Welcome, Dean Collins, we’re happy to have you.