LSU Law School will begin the search for a new dean as current dean Alena Allen will transition to a full-time faculty member, the Louisiana Illuminator reported Friday.

Allen started the position in July 2023 and was the first woman and Black person to serve as dean.

In June, the law school jumped to No. 81 in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in America. Allen was a big part of why LSU succeeded by leading a successful faculty recruitment campaign, the law school said in an earlier press release.

Prior to her time at LSU, Allen served as interim dean and law professor at the University of Arkansas.

The most notable event during her time as dean was the removal of Professor Ken Levy from teaching and the subsequent lawsuit. Allen testified at Levy’s hearing, where she sided with the students who objected to his political speech in class.

The search for the new dean adds to the growing list of permanent leadership vacancies at LSU. Currently, the vacancies include the president, provost, chief financial officer and chief data officer.

The presidential search has officially begun and is expected to be completed in December.