Aliza Cover, a professor at the University of Idaho College of Law, has been named the interim dean of the College of Law.
“I am honored by the opportunity to serve as interim dean of the University of Idaho College of Law during this period of transition,” Cover wrote in an email to The Argonaut. “Idaho Law is a strong, engaged community, and my goal is to support our students, faculty and staff while ensuring the college’s forward momentum.”
Cover will serve as the interim dean until the permanent dean is selected, which will ideally be in the summer of 2026, according to Torrey Lawrence, provost and executive vice president for UI.
“I appreciate Aliza’s willingness to step into this role and serve the College of Law. Also, a special thank you to Diane Kelly-Riley, vice provost for faculty, for serving as acting dean since the departure of the prior dean in January,” Lawrence wrote in an email to university staff announcing Cover’s role.
Cover previously served as the interim dean for the College of Law during the summer of 2024, prior to the hiring of the former dean, Aviva Abramovsky. Cover joined the College of Law in 2014 as an associate professor and became a full professor in 2020, according to Lawrence.
Cover graduated with a B.A. in English from Yale College in 2003 and a J.D. from Yale Law School in 2008. Her focuses include criminal law, criminal procedure and the death penalty. She is based at UI’s Boise campus.
“Provost Lawrence has selected an excellent group of faculty, staff and stakeholders to serve on the dean search committee, and I appreciate the thoughtful and strategic approach they are taking to identify the college’s next permanent dean. I have every confidence that the process will result in a leader who will build on the college’s tradition of excellence and continue to strengthen its impact for the state of Idaho,” Cover wrote.
National search firm Buffkin/Baker will assist in the search for permanent dean candidates. Ginger Carney, dean of the College of Science, will serve as the chair of the search committee.
Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].