Nance: Breaking Ground

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Cynthia Nance Known for her distinguished professional and academic career, Cynthia Nance became the first black, and the first woman, appointed as dean of the School of Law in 2006.

Nance holds a Juris Doctorate with distinction and a Master of Arts in finance from the University of Iowa and has completed coursework for a doctoral degree in industrial relations, also from Iowa. She received her undergraduate degree from Chicago State University.

She gives her time to students and to professional and civic organizations, many of which have honored her for her service and leadership.

Her statewide commitment includes membership in the Arkansas Bar Association, in which she serves on the Diversity Commission.

Nationally, she is the former chair of the American Association of Law Schools Employment Discrimination and Labor and Employment Law Sections and a member of the American Bar Association where she serves on several committees.

As a professor, Nance is recognized by her colleagues for rendering exemplary service to her students, to her church, to the Arkansas Bar, and to the national legal profession.

Nance has a strong faith and commitment to making a difference in the world.

The Ann Landers quote she uses in her e-mails sums up her service commitment: “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”