Undeniable Impact: A Look at President and Dean Alicia Ouellette's Tenure

So much has changed since October 2014, when President and Dean Alicia Ouellette ’94 took over as Albany Law School’s acting dean. Law schools throughout the country faced difficulties. Albany Law School was no exception. Applications and class sizes fell, job placement and bar passage rates suffered, and morale was low.

Something that is cherished—the law school’s independence—was in jeopardy.
Internal and external critiques were rampant. Things were uncertain.

Dean Ouellette had unwavering faith in the Albany Law community. She faced the challenges head on, lifted spirits, and was a voice of reason throughout. Through collaboration with faculty and the Board of Trustees, a bold strategic plan was envisioned, drafted, and adopted to change the tide.

The initiatives outlined in that strategic plan strengthened the school’s value proposition, improved academic programs, corrected the financial situation, and allowed Albany Law to move boldly as a forward-thinking and highly-successful school for legal education.

In the end, the numbers show the plan’s success. Since 2014 there has been a 34% increase in applications, an increase in median LSAT scores by four points, and a dramatically more selective admissions process.

Albany Law School is in a stronger place because of Dean Ouellette’s incredible work. In her time as Dean, the law school has positioned itself as a destination for legal education. The improvements can be seen in the new specialty program offerings, increases in alumni giving and engagement, and growth in the endowment. Graduates also have a steady employment rate routinely around 90% for first-year graduates joining law firms, government positions, public interest work, businesses, and other industries.

She led the law school through its most advantageous campaign in history, We Rise Together: The Campaign for Albany Law School which raised a transformative $33 million to support the law school for years to come. Cornerstones like the Albany Law School Wellness Initiative, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, and renewed support for the Student Emergency Fund were Campaign success stories that now serve students directly.

Under her leadership, Capital Region students were presented more opportunities to earn an Albany Law School degree. In 2021, the Legal Studies Pathway Program was launched, which incorporated Hudson Valley Community College and allows students to earn an associate’s degree from Hudson Valley, transfer to the University at Albany to earn a baccalaureate degree, and then enroll at Albany Law. This builds on the previously existing partnership with UAlbany.

Dean Ouellette has also been instrumental in the navigation through a once-in-a-century global pandemic with a transition to fully remote teaching and back again. She will finish her contract in June 2023 and by July 1, a new leader selected through a national search will begin.
“With the Law School moving in a positive direction on all fronts, I believe now is the time to begin a transition to new leadership,” Ouellette said in a letter to the law school community. “It’s an exciting time for Albany Law School, and I believe we will benefit when a new leader takes the helm with fresh ideas, energy, and inspiration to further elevate our school.”

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

One of Dean Ouellette’s defining traits, her approachability, is felt by anyone who meets or works with her. Students, faculty, and staff especially know this to be true as she became a fixture at student events, community gatherings, and just passing through the halls.

 

“Dean Ouellette is exceptionally amazing. Although she has billions of things to do in her role, she always prioritizes students and their needs. Every move she makes is accompanied by her intention to support her students, and this law school would be nothing without her."

– Claire Stratton ’23, Executive President of the Student Bar Association

 

“The first year of law school can be quite the terrifying ordeal. As a nontraditional and first-generation law student, it is important to me to have in my corner people who understand where I am coming from, and who are championing me every step of the way. Dean Ouellette has proven to be one such champion. She is approachable, sincere, and encouraging—all the qualities that make for an amazing Dean. As the 1L Class President, I have witnessed firsthand Dean Ouellette’s exceptional connection with the students. I look forward to Dean Ouellette’s full-time return after her sabbatical, and I am very much looking forward to challenging her to a game of pickleball in the Albany Law School gym upon her return.”

– Jonas Caballero ’25, 1L Class President

 

“Working with Dean Ouellette has been a privilege. She has advanced and implemented the institution’s strategic goals and because of her exceptional leadership, Albany Law is well positioned for continued success. We will miss her leadership but I am hopeful that she will remain actively engaged in the Albany Law community.”

– Rosemary Queenan, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

 

“Albany Law School is stronger today than ever before because of the transformational leadership President and Dean Alicia Ouellette has provided to the community. Under her guidance, the school has achieved an additional accreditation as a graduate school of law, expanded its academic offerings on-line, bolstered student services and financial support, completed the most successful fund-raising campaign in our history, and adopted a new strategic plan that will shape the future of the school for years to come. We are extraordinarily grateful to her for her vision and leadership,
and thank her for her exemplary record of service to our beloved institution."

– Debra B. Treyz, Esq. ’77, Chair of the Albany Law School Board of Trustees

 

“Dean Ouellette has always been so involved with students whether it be a smile and ‘hello’ in the hallway or helping make grilled cheeses for students. Her passion is infectious and her kindness is always so appreciated.”

– Hannah Merges ’24, 2L Class President