Kyle Velte named associate dean for faculty at School of Law
LAWRENCE – Kyle Velte, professor of law, has been appointed associate dean for faculty at the University of Kansas School of Law.
As associate dean, Velte will chair the law school’s faculty hiring committee, organize faculty workshops, and oversee course scheduling. The associate dean for faculty also aids in research and scholarship production. KU Law ranks 16th in the nation among public law schools and 40th overall for faculty scholarly impact, according to a 2021 study.
“I’m happy that Kyle agreed to serve in the associate dean role at KU Law. She has incredible leadership and administrative skills. Her outstanding scholarly record positions her to well to help KU Law continue to generate national recognition for its faculty scholarship,” said Stephen Mazza, dean of the School of Law.
Velte joined the KU Law faculty as an associate professor of law in 2018 and was promoted to professor of law in 2022. Velte has served as president-elect of the KU Faculty Senate. In 2021, she received the university’s Ned N. Fleming Trust Award, recognizing outstanding teaching. The KU Law Class of 2022 honored Velte with the Moreau Award, which recognizes a law professor for advising and counseling students.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity for professional growth and excited to serve the law school in this new role. I am looking forward to promoting my colleagues’ outstanding research and scholarship, as well as to supporting the law school’s vibrant intellectual life.”
Velte replaces Professor Uma Outka, who completed a three-year term as associate dean for faculty in August.
“Kyle follows on the heels of Uma Outka, who skillfully guided the School of Law through the many challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. I’m thankful to Uma for her wonderful work,” Mazza said.
About Kyle Velte
Velte’s scholarship examines the intersection of sexuality, gender and the law. Her recent scholarship focuses on the perceived tensions between religious freedom and LGBT civil rights along three axes — law, policy and theory. Her work has appeared in law journals, including the Yale Law & Policy Review, Cardozo Law Review and Connecticut Law Review. Velte filed or coauthored amicus briefs in numerous United States Supreme Court cases and has appeared in the media discussing issues of religious liberty and its connection to antidiscrimination law, Title IX and marriage equality.
At KU Law, Velte teaches Evidence, Torts, Employment Discrimination, and Sexual Orientation & the Law, and serves as director of the law school’s Social Justice Certificate program for J.D. students.
Prior to joining the University of Kansas, Velte was a visiting assistant professor at Texas Tech University School of Law and an assistant professor of the practice at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Velte holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law. Before entering the legal academy, Velte practiced complex commercial litigation at the Denver law firm of Reilly Pozner LLP.