Courtney Anderson has been appointed dean of Georgia State University’s College of Law, effective June 1. She has served with distinction as interim dean since July 2024 and brings to the role a depth of experience as a scholar, educator and leader committed to equity, community engagement and academic excellence.

“Georgia State’s College of Law stands at the forefront of legal education that is responsive to the challenges of our time,” Anderson said. “It’s an honor to lead this community of scholars, students and advocates as we continue shaping the future of the legal profession.”

A member of the Georgia State faculty since 2012, Anderson has taught a wide range of courses while also holding affiliate appointments in the School of Public Health and the Urban Studies Institute. Prior to her interim deanship, she served as associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Law, where she oversaw curriculum development for degree programs and the implementation of policies and guidelines at the College of Law.

Anderson’s scholarship lies at the intersection of housing, public health and social equity, with particular focus on how legal frameworks shape lived experiences in marginalized communities. Her work has been published in leading journals and cited in national conversations around housing instability, segregation and health disparities. She is also a recognized speaker, having addressed organizations including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the White House Summit on Eviction Prevention and law schools across the country.

“Professor Anderson is a visionary leader whose work reflects the values at the heart of Georgia State’s mission — access, impact and innovation,” said Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard. “Her deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, equity in legal education and public scholarship makes her uniquely suited to lead the College of Law into its next chapter.”

As dean, Anderson will provide strategic leadership for the College of Law, guiding its mission to foster inclusive legal education, expand interdisciplinary research and strengthen its connection to Atlanta’s dynamic legal and civic communities.

Anderson, who first arrived at Georgia State under the university’s former Second Century Initiative, earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, where she served as executive editor of the Harvard Journal on Racial and Ethnic Justice, and a Master of Laws in clinical advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh.