Rebecca Scheller ’07 and University of Wisconsin Law School; it’s hard to separate the two.
Scheller has spent most of her life at University of Wisconsin, whether as an undergraduate or law student or serving in multiple positions. Now, she proudly takes on the new role of chief administrative officer and associate dean for admissions and financial aid. She will remain the top leader of Admissions & Financial Aid and Graduate Programs while also handling new areas of Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities.
“In the first year in this position, I really want to listen and get a handle on the different aspects of the business office and help all accomplish their goals,” she said. “I will also help implement a new budget approach that the university will be taking on more broadly. The overall goal is to continue with the success of my predecessor, Bethany Pluymers, and serve the dean, our students and our staff and faculty.”
Another part of her job is to increase student enrollment while not sacrificing the standard of talented students who will make their mark on the Law School and become leaders in the profession.
“When I think about enrollment, I consider all the students I’ve been fortunate to know throughout their admission journeys,” she said. “I can remember some of them as prospective students now long having made their mark in law.”
What has helped Scheller connect with students is partly her own applicable UW Law experiences.
From her time as president of the Mock Trial team to putting the classroom into greater focus by walking down to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to learn from justices themselves, Scheller can speak firsthand to UW Law’s advantages. She also remembers often to tout that Wisconsin has long been the home of the Diploma Privilege, which allows graduates to secure a license to practice law in Wisconsin without taking a bar exam.
“It is a huge advantage for graduates to be able to jump right into practice,” said Scheller.
In addition to her new position, Scheller will become chair of the Law School Admission Council for two years after serving a year as chair elect.
“When I think about enrollment, I consider all the students I’ve been fortunate to know throughout their admission journeys. I can remember some of them as prospective students now long having made their mark in law.” – Rebecca Scheller ‘07
“This organization is incredibly important because it facilitates the law school admission test and the application process for law schools nationwide,” she explained. “I started with committee work and chaired one of their committees, and I think I’m the first admission dean in a decade who will serve as chair. It’s exciting to be able to support it, along with its many programs.”
Growing up in nearby Milwaukee and having received her undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, Scheller is Wisconsin through and through.
“I realized this is where it all began for me,” she said. “I connected with the Law School, and then I had the chance to contribute to giving students the same outstanding experience I had. I’m excited for my new role here to do that in an even bigger way.”
By Eric Butterman