June 1, 2009
St. Mary’s University School of Law Dean Charles E. Cantú, after consulting with St. Mary’s Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Andre Hampton, named Ana M. Novoa to the new position of Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Public Interest.
“Professor Novoa’s commitment to excellence in legal education and to the poor, underprivileged and disenfranchised, along with her devout Catholic faith make her a natural for this position,” said Cantú.
According to Cantú, the appointment of an Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Public Interest – one of only a handful of such positions in the nation’s law schools – unequivocally demonstrates the School of Law’s commitment to Catholic and Marianist principles and to clinical legal education.
Novoa, Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Programs, was the first Mexican American woman to receive tenure at St. Mary’s University. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and was in private practice in San Antonio prior to joining the faculty.
Under her leadership, both the Clinical Program and the Public Interest Program have grown substantially, providing a greater number of law students the opportunity to engage in legal representation of indigent clients and service the needs of the poor.