SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. (Feb. 9, 2022) – Vermont Law School has named Professor Beth Locker its new associate dean for experiential learning, an appointment that adds dean-level leadership to the school’s experiential and clinical programs, and recognizes the critical role of experiential learning in legal education.
“Dean Locker brings to this role a wealth of experience in legal and experiential education, a strong rapport with our experiential faculty, and most importantly, a deep commitment to our students and VLS,” said VLS Interim President and Dean Beth McCormack.
As associate dean for experiential learning, Dean Locker will be responsible for ensuring that VLS students have top-notch experiential opportunities, and promote innovation and best practices in clinical and experiential courses. She will help VLS clinicians access professional development and other training opportunities, and work to highlight the work performed by the school’s clinics. Dean Locker will join the VLS senior leadership team and participate in quarterly board of trustees meetings, bringing the experiential education perspective to all administrative and school policy discussions.
“Vermont Law School has been a leader in experiential legal education almost from its inception,” said Dean Locker. “The caliber of the clinics, the robust nature of the externship program, and so many creative experiential opportunities such as the General Practice Program provide students with opportunities for professional growth and skill development. I am honored to be taking on this new role where I can support the work of the students, professors, and staff at the heart of these programs.”
Most recently, Dean Locker served as the director of the school’s JD Externship Program (since 2018) and as an active member of the Clinical and Experiential Working Group. She also served as the associate director of Career Services from 2012 to 2016.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan School of Law, her own law school experience included extensive clinical opportunities including a full-time externship in juvenile law at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and work with Michigan Law's Child Advocacy Law Clinic. While in law school she served on the Michigan Journal of Race and Law, co-chaired the student LGBTQIA group, and participated in a wide range of public-interest related student organizations.