The dean of the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law will step down from her post at the end of next month, the university’s provost announced this week.
Megan Carpenter has led the law school since 2017, overseeing a significant increase in the school’s enrollment and the expansion of many programs, including the creation of the first hybrid degree program in intellectual property and technology law in the country.
Carpenter wrote in a message to the law school community that serving as dean “has been the greatest privilege of my career.”
“I stayed far beyond the national average of 2.5-3 years because I love this place, and because I believe in what we have built together,” she wrote.
Following a leave to pursue research and other professional endeavors, Carpenter plans to rejoin the law school’s faculty, according to Jeannette E. Riley, UNH’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
“We are grateful for Megan’s dedicated service to UNH and the Franklin Pierce School of Law in this role,” Riley wrote. “Please join me in thanking her and wishing her well as she prepares for the next phase of her career.”
As dean, Carpenter led an increase in alumni engagement with the law school and increased the racial diversity of its student body.
Before coming to UNH, she taught at the law schools of Texas A&M, Texas Wesleyan, and West Virginia. She also practiced law at the firm that was then known as Kirkpatrick & Lockhart.
Carpenter specializes in intellectual property and technology law and has taught courses in those areas and others while serving as dean.
The university will announce an interim dean in the coming weeks and embark on a search for Carpenter’s replacement over the summer, Riley said.