The University of Arkansas has withdrawn a job offer to incoming law school dean Emily Suski following objections from Republican lawmakers and state officials over her prior support for transgender athletes’ rights. The decision has intensified concerns about political interference in higher education and academic freedom.
Suski, an associate dean and professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, was announced earlier this month as the next dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law, with a planned start date of July 1, 2026. Less than a week later, the university rescinded the offer, stating it would pursue a different direction after receiving feedback from external stakeholders.
University officials did not specify who those stakeholders were or what concerns prompted the reversal. A university spokesperson said the decision followed an internal review but declined to provide further details. Suski has not publicly commented on the withdrawal.
Objections Centered on Transgender Sports Advocacy
According to reporting by multiple outlets, Republican officials objected to Suski’s participation in a 2025 amicus brief supporting transgender students’ rights under Title IX. The brief was filed in connection with U.S. Supreme Court cases challenging state laws that ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity.
Democratic state Representative Nicole Clowney said Republican lawmakers and at least one constitutional officer raised concerns about Suski’s views and warned that the university’s funding could be affected if she assumed the deanship. Clowney characterized the move as a direct attempt to influence university hiring decisions based on political ideology.
State Leaders React
Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester criticized Suski publicly, questioning whether someone who supports transgender inclusion in sports should lead a public law school. The office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said it did not directly request that the offer be withdrawn but praised the university’s decision.
A spokesperson for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders also supported the reversal, saying the administration believes university leadership should align with the values of Arkansas residents.
Civil Liberties Groups Raise Alarms
Civil rights and academic freedom advocates sharply criticized the decision. The Arkansas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union called the move deeply troubling and warned it could violate Suski’s First Amendment rights.
Legal scholars and faculty groups have also expressed concern that rescinding an offer based on a scholar’s legal opinions sets a precedent that could discourage academic expression and research on controversial topics.
The Bottom Line
The controversy comes as Arkansas continues to advance laws restricting transgender participation in sports and access to gender-affirming care. Critics argue the Suski decision reflects a broader pattern of political pressure being applied to public institutions, while supporters say publicly funded universities should reflect state priorities.
The University of Arkansas has not announced when it will reopen the search for a new law school dean.
