Mitchell Hamline leader emphasizes career preparation, expanding access to education and justice
Mark C. Gordon is the first president and dean at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. After presiding over the combination of William Mitchell College
of Law and Hamline University School of Law in December 2015, Dean Gordon has launched a variety of initiatives at the combined school to increase access to education, sharpen career preparation, emphasize community service, and extend legal education to non-J.D. students.
Prior to the combination, Gordon served as president and dean at William Mitchell, starting in July 2015. Previously, he spent six years as president of Defiance College in Ohio and was dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law for seven years. Gordon’s career also includes serving as an associate professor in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, as general deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and on the staff of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Gordon graduated magna cum laude with a juris doctor from Harvard Law School. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University.
He keeps in regular touch with alumni, sharing news in a monthly email as well as inviting graduates’ input on programs and direction.
Mark Gordon in the news
Dean Gordon featured in Oklahoma Legal Group’s ‘Law Deans’ series
Blog, Oklahoma Legal Group, August 29, 2017
Head of newly merged Mitchell-Hamline School of Law takes non-traditional approach to legal education
Story, St. Paul Pioneer Press, August 13, 2017
Travel’s a family affair for globetrotter Mark Gordon
Story, Minnesota Lawyer, June 2017
Minnesotans You Should Know
Recognition, Twin Cities Business, December 2016
Mark Gordon talks with Roshini Rajkumar
Radio podcast, WCCO 830 AM/CBS Minnesota, November 21, 2016
21st century education at Mitchell Hamline
Story, Minnesota Lawyer, September 2016
Mitchell Hamline leader has experience, record of innovation
Mitchell Hamline News, December 2015
Latimer endorses Mitchell Hamline combination and Dean Gordon’s leadership
Commentary, Star Tribune, October 2015
After merger, Mitchell Hamline has a chance to renew legal education
Editorial, Star Tribune, August 2015
‘We are going to create the 21st century model of legal education’
Story, Minnesota Lawyer, July 2015
College town connections to foster
Editorial, Pioneer Press, July 2015
Mark C. Gordon
Biography and bibliography
Studying With the President
Story, Inside Higher Ed, March 2012