FAMU law school dean resigns as bar exam passage rates keep trending downward

Deidré Keller, dean of Florida A&M University’s College of Law, has resigned amid the school’s long trend of worsening bar exam passage rates.

Until an interim dean is appointed, the College of Law’s Associate Provost for Academic Programs Cecil Howard — who just stepped into that role a few weeks ago — will “assume the reins of leadership,” according to the university.

“The FAMU College of Law remains committed to its historical legacy of excellence and looks forward to making a lasting impact on the legal society both now and in the future,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson Watson said in a prepared statement. “The success of our students, faculty and staff remains our highest priority.”

Keller stepped down Wednesday after serving as dean for nearly four years. She will remain on the law school's faculty.

Her appointment as the eighth permanent dean came after the Orlando-based law school’s two-year span of not having a permanent dean in 2018-20. She was unavailable for comment Friday.

Historically Black college and university law schools are enduring a multi-year trend of decreasing bar exam passage rates.

At the FAMU College of Law, 25 of 60 test-takers passed last July (41.7%), making the school the lowest-performing law school in Florida on the bar exam. For that test, the university had the third lowest passing rate in the state.

More: FSU bar exam scores rise to second best in state; FAMU falls to lowest rate in state

The passage rate was about 10 points lower than the result of 52.6% in July 2022, where 50 of 95 graduates were successful.

Bar exams generally are offered twice a year, including in Florida. Most law students traditionally take the exam in the summer, after their graduation.

But as Howard takes on a temporary role in the dean position, he hopes to help turn things around.

“As a longtime supporter of Florida A&M and its College of Law, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the college during a time of many challenges,” Howard said in a FAMU release.

“I envision my leadership cohesively moving the College of Law forward as its faculty, students and staff continue to endeavor making strides that complement the excellent academic standing of the university.”

Howard may be new hope for FAMU law school's turnaround

Howard has served as the College of Law’s associate provost since the fall, where he has been working with the college’s faculty and staff to improve the overall academic experience for law students through the oversight of faculty affairs.

The Florida State University alumnus is a Florida licensed attorney who has experience serving in executive leadership roles at the University of South Florida, the University of California, Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania and Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Howard is also principal of CEH Consulting, which is a firm that provides recruitment and leadership services to universities, nonprofits and corporations throughout the country. His three primary objectives for FAMU’s College of Law are to:

• Enhance bar preparation and curriculum alignment for FAMU College of Law students.

• Ensure aligned and successful accreditation and operational oversight.

• Implement comprehensive strategies and initiatives to foster a supportive and conducive environment for teaching, research and administrative excellence.

Backing up Howard’s objectives, Watson says she is committed to work with faculty, students and staff to “place the College of Law on an upward trajectory.”

A special committee will meet in the coming days to appoint an interim dean, according to Watson, followed by a national executive search for a permanent dean this spring semester.

Other FAMU news: Florida Board of Governors approves FAMU President Robinson's one-year contract extension

Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Law dean resigns amid trend of lower bar exam passage