Todd Morton, Dean of Admissions at Vanderbilt Law, has announced his intention to retire at the end of Summer 2025. He has held the position for nearly 20 years.
“Todd transformed our admissions office throughout his tenure, introducing programs and initiatives that helped us better identify and recruit generations of successful, highly engaged students and alumni,” said Dean Chris Guthrie. “I am grateful for his leadership, vision, and service.”
Morton joined Vanderbilt Law School as Dean of Admissions in 2005. He joined Vanderbilt from Harvard Law School, where he served as Director of Admissions. Prior to Harvard, he served as Director of Recruitment and Admissions Services at New York University School of Law. He holds an Ed.D. and Ed.M. in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard, and an A.B. in Government from Dartmouth.
Throughout his time at Vanderbilt Law, Morton created innovative programs that enhanced his department’s ability to recruit students and navigate changes in the higher education landscape.
In the area of admissions, he created an alumni admissions interview program to assist with student selection and alumni engagement; each year, nearly 900 Vanderbilt Law alumni interview one-third of J.D. applicants. Morton also designed and implemented Binding Early Decision and Early Action programs for J.D. and transfer applicants, respectively, and led the build-out of the application, admission, and enrollment systems for the recently launched online MLS program.
Morton implemented several unique and impactful scholarship programs as well.
He designed and launched Access2VLS, a ground-breaking need-based aid program with the goal of meeting all student need up to the cost of tuition. Access2VLS has awarded more than $1 million in aid during its first four years of operation.
The “Dean’s Leadership Awards,” which support incoming students with strong leadership skills and potential, have enabled the Law School to recruit students committed to institution-building and has had a positive impact on recruitment of veterans. He designed and implemented other programs that provide rising 2Ls with supplemental scholarship funds to explore social justice or public interest careers, international legal studies, or business law in their second and third years.
“Environment is often a key determinant of success, and it is difficult to imagine a better environment than our highly collegial and uniquely personal school culture, one that students and alumni consistently cite as the most valuable and enduring aspect of a Vanderbilt legal education,” he said. “I am grateful for having the opportunity to play a role in the life of this extraordinary community.”
Morton will continue in his position through this year’s admission cycle. A search will be launched for his successor soon.
