UND announces new deans of School of Law, School of Graduate Studies
Soojung Kim is the new dean of the UND School of Graduate Studies, and Del Crandall, Jr., is the new dean of the UND School of Law
The University of North Dakota is pleased to announce two important selections for top posts in University leadership.
At the UND School of Law, retired Vice Adm. Darse E. “Del” Crandall, Jr., a former Judge Advocate General of the Navy, has been appointed to the position of dean.
And at the UND School of Graduate Studies, Soojung Kim, a UND associate professor and, since 2025, interim dean of the School of Graduate Studies, has been appointed to the position of dean.
More information about the appointments as well as full biographies of both of the new deans is below.
Del Crandall, Jr., named dean of School of Law
After a nationwide search, retired Vice Admiral Darse E. “Del” Crandall, Jr. has been appointed to the position of dean of the School of Law at the University of North Dakota.
The appointment was made by Eric Link, UND provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Crandall is expected to begin his new role on July 1.
“Del Crandall brings an exceptional record of leadership, service, and legal expertise to the School of Law,” Link said.
“From advising senior national leaders to serving as the Navy’s Judge Advocate General, his career reflects both a deep understanding of the law and a steadfast commitment to public service. We are excited about the perspective and energy he will bring to our academic community and are confident he will be a transformative leader for our students, faculty, staff and the future of the School of Law.”
Link also expressed his appreciation to those involved in the search process.
“I would like to thank the School of Law search committee, chaired by Dean Maridee Shogren, for their work,” he said. “I also appreciate the meaningful input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners whose perspectives were invaluable in selecting the next leader of the UND School of Law.”
Crandall expressed his enthusiasm about the position.
“I am honored to join the School of Law team at the University of North Dakota and excited to work with the phenomenal faculty, staff, and students, as well as the greater UND community,” Crandall said. “Together, we will accomplish the important mission of North Dakota’s only law school.
“I also look forward to partnering with the members of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and UND alumni while contributing to the continued success of the state’s flagship research institution.”
Crandall will succeed Bradley Myers, who has served as interim dean since July 2025. Myers appointment took effect following the departure of Brian Pappas, who served as dean from 2022 to 2025.
Established in 1899, the University of North Dakota School of Law is a cornerstone of legal education in the region, preparing generations of lawyers who serve North Dakota and beyond. The School has an annual total enrollment of approximately 250 students and is home to more than 3,000 alumni. It is nationally recognized for its leadership in Indian and Tribal Law and excellence in rural legal education.
Accredited by the American Bar Association since 1923 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1911, the School maintains strong ties with the judiciary and practicing bar of the state of North Dakota, with the majority of state’s judges and attorneys among its alumni.
About Del Crandall
Del Crandall is a native of Elgin, Ill. He attended Northwestern University on a Naval ROTC scholarship, receiving a B.A. in Economics and a Navy commission.
Crandall’s first assignment was on USS Lockwood (FF 1064) in Japan, where he earned his surface warfare officer qualification. After selection for the Navy’s funded law program, he attended Georgetown University. In 1992, he graduated cum laude and became a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. In 1999, he earned an LL.M. in International Law from George Washington University with highest honors. He is a member of the State Bar of Virginia.
As a JAG, Crandall completed assignments in Washington, D.C., Florida, Japan, England, Italy and Germany. After serving as a defense attorney and prosecutor, he spent most of his career as a Staff Judge Advocate advising commanders on national security law, international law, military justice matters and administrative law. He also served on an aircraft carrier, USS Independence (CV 62); as the Commanding Officer of a Navy legal unit; and at the White House as a deputy legal advisor to the National Security Council staff.
He served nine years as an admiral, first as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and next as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy. In his final tour, he was the 45th Judge Advocate General of the Navy. As the JAG, he was the principal military legal counsel to both the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. He also led the 2,700 uniformed attorneys, enlisted paralegals and civilian employees of the worldwide Navy JAG community.
Crandall met his wife, Barbara, at Northwestern. They have three adult sons, a Welsh Terrier and a cat.
Soojung Kim named dean of the School of Graduate Studies
University of North Dakota Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Eric Link has appointed Soojung Kim as dean of the UND School of Graduate Studies following a national search.
Kim assumes the role effective immediately. She has served as interim dean since 2025, providing steady leadership while advancing key initiatives to support graduate education across the University.
“Soojung Kim is a thoughtful and forward-looking leader who has already made a meaningful impact on graduate education at UND,” Link said.
“Her commitment to academic excellence, student success and interdisciplinary collaboration has been evident throughout her time as interim dean. Dr. Kim brings both vision and experience to this role, and I am confident she will continue to strengthen our graduate programs, expand research opportunities and elevate the School of Graduate Studies in ways that benefit our entire university community.”
Link also recognized those who contributed to the search, including the committee chaired by Dean Rebecca Bichel, and thanked members of the campus community for their engagement throughout the process.
Kim emphasized her commitment to sustaining the School of Graduate Studies’ momentum and advancing graduate education at UND.
“I am honored to serve as the next Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and am grateful to Provost Link for his trust in me, as well as to the search committee for their thoughtful work,” Kim said. “I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the School of Graduate Studies’ staff and colleagues across campus as we advance graduate education in the R1 era.”
About Soojung Kim
Soojung Kim (Ph.D., University of Minnesota) has served as interim dean of the School of Graduate Studies since 2025 and is an associate professor of Communication at the University of North Dakota.
Her leadership at UND is grounded in a commitment to expanding access to high-quality graduate education, strengthening community and industry partnerships, and supporting research and creative activities that address important challenges and issues facing North Dakota, the nation and the global community.
As interim dean, Kim worked to advance academic excellence through relationship-based leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic initiatives. Working closely with faculty, academic units and campus partners, she has fostered innovative approaches to teaching, research and creative activities that support UND’s continued growth as a leading R1 institution.
A public health communication scholar, Kim remains actively engaged in research and externally funded projects that examine how communication can help address complex public health challenges in North Dakota and beyond. As an educator, she is also known for her commitment to student success, mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students and creating experiential learning opportunities that connect scholarship with real-world impact.
Prior to serving as interim dean, Kim held leadership roles as department chair and graduate program director in the Department of Communication. In those roles, she led initiatives that increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment, revived the Journalism degree program, expanded partnerships with industry and alumni, and led the development of the online M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication programs, which have since become key drivers of program growth.
