MSU Law Makes Critical Appointments in Student Support Positions

Michigan State University College of Law is proud to announce the promotion of two valued MSU Law community members, Veronica Valentine McNally and Goldie Pritchard, to key student support roles. These new positions reflect the College of Law’s ongoing commitment to providing an enriching environment for all students. Deans McNally and Pritchard work with students throughout their law school careers: offering transitional skills-based programming in the first weeks of law school, ensuring valuable experiential legal placements, and bringing compassion and rigor to the bar preparatory process.

Veronica Valentine McNally, a member of the Class of 2004, will serve as assistant dean of experiential education, with a portfolio of responsibilities that includes oversight of the trial advocacy program, the Moot Court and competition programs, all simulation courses, the MSU Law legal clinic, and off-site externship programming. She has been a member of the Law College academic staff since 2006.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law Jennifer Carter-Johnson commended Dean McNally’s appointment. “Veronica works tirelessly on behalf of students,” said Dean Carter-Johnson. “Her appointment as assistant dean will increase opportunities for students to engage in experiential activities as part of their legal training.”

Dean McNally is a passionate advocate for building practical lawyering skills in supervised settings and has mentored hundreds of students as they pursued careers in litigation. She brings her years of experience in directing the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute, a selective and intensive two-year courtroom training program, to her new position.

“Law schools must be intentional about the development of their students' practical skills training,” said Dean McNally. “Exposing students to the type of work they will soon perform in practice is key to competent legal practice and greater career satisfaction. I am pleased to serve in the role of assistant dean of experiential education at MSU Law to facilitate this experience-based learning.”

Goldie Y. Pritchard founded the Academic Success Program at MSU Law and has both directed and co-directed the Academic Success Program since joining the MSU Law community in 2009. She works closely with students as they navigate their academic careers and prepare for the bar exam, developing programs, offering workshops, and coaching students one-on-one. She will serve as assistant dean of the Academic Success Program.

“Goldie's contributions to the College of Law are fundamental to the success of our graduates,” noted Dean Carter-Johnson. “We are excited to recognize her hard work and student-centered dedication with this promotion to assistant dean.”

Dean Pritchard describes her work on behalf of students as “my destiny,” and takes pride in the many alumni who achieved law school and bar exam success with her support. She empowers students, particularly those who feel disheartened during the law school experience, to succeed in a demanding environment.

“Students are at the center of all I do, and that is the most exciting part,” said Dean Pritchard. “They challenge me and teach me as much as I challenge them, support them, and help them navigate their law school journey and attain their aspirations. I recognize that with each ‘aha!’ moment, each moment of confidence, and each moment of frustration, my students get closer to their goals.”

Both appointments received overwhelming faculty support and are effective immediately.