SULC | Director of the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights and Social Justice/Associate Professor

October 16, 2025
Position Vacancy Announcements

SULC | Director of the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights and Social Justice/Associate Professor | Salary: $191,681 - $200,000 | Application Deadline: October 23, 2025

 

The Director of the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights & Justice, holding the academic rank of Associate Professor, will lead the Institute in fulfilling its mission to advance social, restorative, and transitional justice, as well as civil and human rights, particularly in Louisiana and the South. The Director will oversee academic programming, research, advocacy, community engagement, and leadership development while serving as a faculty member engaged in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Mission of the Institute

The Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights and Justice is committed to the advancement of social, restorative, and transitional justice and civil and human rights, especially in Louisiana and the South. Vision of the Institute

Vision of the Institute

The Institute will serve as a center of excellence dedicated to advancing social, restorative, and transitional justice and civil and human rights through instruction, education, research, advocacy, and community engagement.

 

Core Responsibilities:

Academic Programs

  • Teach courses that align with the mission, including those contributing to the Civil Rights, Human Rights, and Social Justice Certificate.
  • Support experiential learning opportunities through clinics, externships, and practicums.
  • Collaborate with faculty to integrate bar exam preparation by reinforcing doctrinal and procedural skills in classes and programming.

Research & Scholarship

  • Conduct and publish original scholarship in areas of civil rights, social justice, or related fields.
  • Produce policy briefs, white papers, and reports that address contemporary issues in civil and human rights.
  • Organize conferences, symposia, and speaker series to advance the Institute's scholarship mission.
  • Support and collaborate with scholars whose work aligns with the Institute's mission.

 

 Advocacy, Community Engagement & Service

  • Build and sustain strategic partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations.
  • Develop and host community-centered programming, continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities, and thought-leadership events.
  • Establish and maintain a historical archive of civil rights and social justice materials.
  • Ensure all advocacy and programming remains educational, research-based, and nonpartisan in accordance with university and state policy.

Leadership Development

  • Develop fellowship and scholarship opportunities for certificate students.
  • Create mentorship pipelines linking students with alumni, practicing attorneys, and national leaders.
  • Serve as a mentor to students, fellows, and junior faculty engaged in related areas of study.

 

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school required; advanced degree
  • (LL.M., S.J.D., or Ph.D.) preferred.
  • Licensed attorney in good standing, with expertise in civil rights, human rights, social justice, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement or potential for significant contributions in the field.
  • Experience in teaching at the law school or graduate-level preferred.
  • Proven ability to engage with diverse communities and build strategic partnerships.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

 Governance & Reporting

  • The Director will be appointed by and report directly to the Chancellor of Southern University Law Center.
  • The Director will hold faculty responsibilities consistent with the rank of Associate Professor, including teaching, scholarship, and service.

 

How to Apply:

Interested applicants must complete a Southern University employment application.

External applicants can apply here.

Current Southern University employees should apply here.

 

Applications should include:

  • A cover letter detailing experience and alignment with the role.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume highlighting expertise and accomplishments.
  • Three (3) professional letters of recommendation.
  • College transcript showing the highest degree earned (an official transcript will be required for finalists).

 

 

Point of Contact:

Alvin Washington, Esq,

Chancellor Southern University Law Center

Awashington@sulc.edu

 

A criminal background check and reference verification are required.

 

AAP/EEO Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University and A&M College forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws. This commitment applies to but is not limited to decisions made concerning hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

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