Georgia State University College of Law is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to Dean Courtney Anderson’s leadership team. These appointments reflect the College’s continued commitment to academic excellence, faculty engagement, experiential innovation, and strategic vision. Each member of this team brings deep expertise, institutional knowledge, and a passion for preparing students for the evolving demands of modern legal practice.
Ted Afield – Vice Dean (new position)
Professor W. Edward “Ted” Afield has been appointed to the newly created position of vice dean. In this role, he will serve as the principal partner for the dean at the College of Law by advancing the strategic priorities of the College across academic affairs, faculty governance, student success, and operational planning.
Afield holds the Mark and Evelyn Trammell clinical professorship and previously served as an associate dean for Experiential Education and director of Clinical Programs.
Maggie Vath – Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Principal Lecturer Margaret “Maggie” Hughes Vath has been appointed associate dean of Academic Affairs, where she will oversee the law school’s academic programs, curricular planning, and student academic support initiatives.
Vath has served since 2017 as director of the Lawyering: Foundations Program, a signature first-year legal writing and professional skills course at the College of Law.
Anthony Michael Kreis – Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development
Professor Anthony Michael Kreis has been named associate dean for Faculty Research and Development, where he will lead efforts to support faculty scholarship, mentoring, research funding, and intellectual engagement across disciplines.
Kreis is a noted constitutional law scholar whose work bridges legal doctrine, political science, and civil rights advocacy. Since joining the Georgia State Law faculty in 2020, he has published in top law reviews and cultivated a national voice in constitutional history, LGBTQ+ rights, and public law.
Kendall Kerew – Associate Dean for Experiential Education
Clinical Professor Kendall L. Kerew has been appointed associate dean for Experiential Education, where she will oversee the law school’s externship programs, practice-based courses, and strategic integration of experiential learning into the curriculum. Kerew has led Georgia State’s highly regarded Externship Program, which partners with hundreds of legal employers across metro Atlanta and beyond.
Emily Torstveit Ngara – Director of Clinical Programs
Associate Clinical Professor Emily Torstveit Ngara has been named director of Clinical Programs, where she will oversee the law school’s live-client clinics, including those focused on immigration, community development, health, and tax law.
Ngara is an expert in immigration law and has directed the Immigration Clinic since joining the Georgia State Law faculty in 2019.
Sam Donaldson – Director of Curriculum
Professor Samuel A. Donaldson has been appointed director of curriculum, where he will oversee course scheduling, degree planning, academic assessment, and curricular innovation.
Donaldson is a leading authority on tax law, estate planning, and property law.
“This outstanding group of leaders embodies the spirit of excellence and innovation that defines Georgia State Law. Each of them brings vision, expertise, and deep institutional commitment. Together, they will help us shape the future of legal education and continue to advance our mission of preparing students for lives of impact. I am incredibly pleased that each of them has been willing to lend their considerable talents to serving as new members of the College of Law’s leadership team.” -Dean Courtney Anderson