GULC Dean Trades T-10 Refugees for Refugees in Geneva

Big news today from Georgetown University Law Center. The law school’s dean, T. Alexander Aleinikoff, is stepping down from his position.
But he is leaving Georgetown for a good cause. Dean Aleinikoff will be the new “Deputy High Commissioner in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva.”
From law school dean to “Deputy High Commissioner”? That, my friends, is a title bump.
The instant reaction from the (numerous) Georgetown tipsters who sent us the news has been to wish Dean Aleinikoff the best of luck. “He will be missed,” seems to be the prevailing sentiment.
Sam Arora, president of the Georgetown Student Bar Association, had this to say:

“We are sad to lose Dean Aleinikoff but excited to see what he will do on the world stage. Alex’s leadership in expanding Georgetown’s transnational legal curriculum and focus on the future of legal profession has made us a stronger institution.”

And so Georgetown becomes the latest law school in search of a dean. I tell you what, some of these deferred or laid off associates need to get on the “dean track.” There are seemingly always opportunities available for people who want to run a law school.
Read the full goodbye letter after the jump.


T. ALEXANDER ALEINIKOFF — DEPARTURE MEMO
To members of the Georgetown Law Community:
I have informed President DeGioia that I will be stepping down as Dean of the Law Center and Executive Vice President of the University at the end of January to assume the position of Deputy High Commissioner in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva.
It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as Dean for five and a half years. One cannot walk our halls, talk with our students, or meet with our alumni without appreciating the remarkable community that thrives here. Our reach is broad, our bonds are deep.
As many of you know, refugee and asylum law has been a central focus of my scholarship and research. The first course I taught at the Law Center was Refugee Law. In taking up the position at UNHCR, I will be joining a UN organization that provides protection or assistance to 34 million people around the world. UNHCR has twice been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work on behalf of the persecuted and the dispossessed.
I am not able to express adequately my gratitude to those with whom I have worked during my tenure as Dean. The faculty, students, staff and alumni of this law school sustain an institution that makes enormous contributions to our community, our nation and the world. I have been proud every day as Dean to be a member of this community, and I look forward to returning to teaching and scholarship at Georgetown upon completion of my term of service at UNHCR.
Alex

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