Angela Upchurch is acting dean of the Simmons Law School (Photo by Russell Bailey)
July 11, 2024
Angela Upchurch appointed acting law school dean
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Angela K. Upchurch, associate dean for academic affairs and curriculum development at Southern Illinois University’s Simmons Law School, has been appointed acting dean of the law school.
Sheryl Tucker, SIU Carbondale provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, announced the appointment. Upchurch’s appointment was effective July 1, pending ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees.
“I am delighted that Angela Upchurch was willing to take on this temporary role to ensure the extraordinary momentum of the Simmons Law School continues while we search nationally for the next dean,” Tucker said. “She is already helping move the law school forward as we plan for fiscal year 2025 and having a positive impact on the school’s trajectory.”
Upchurch replaces Camille M. Davidson, who became president and dean at Mitchell Hamline School of Law on July 1.
Upchurch, who has been with the law school since August 2014, is looking forward to serving as acting dean as a new academic year is set to begin next month.
“We are building on a strong foundation, and we remain committed to fostering a supportive environment where every member of our community can thrive,” she said. “Our faculty continues to lead the way in innovative teaching methods, preparing our students to excel in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. I am excited to be a part of the accomplishments we will achieve together in the coming months, and to celebrate our collective successes under the leadership of our next permanent dean.”
Upchurch started at the law school as an associate professor of law and moved to professor in 2017. She has served as an associate dean since January 2023. A recognized expert in legal education, children and family law, and procedural law, Upchurch received the university’s tenured and tenure-track Teaching Excellence Award in 2020.
Upchurch received her bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from Loyola University in Chicago and was first in her graduating class from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Prior to coming to SIU in 2014, she was a professor of law at Capital University Law School.