Profile

Patricia K. Kinney

Assistant Dean of Engagement & Student Success

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Lawrence W. Inlow Hall, Room 111J
530 W. New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3225

Phone: (317) 274-7878
Fax: (317) 274-3955
E-Mail: pkkinney@iu.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

Education

B.S., 1998, Purdue University
J.D., 2002, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Bio

Patricia Kinney is the Assistant Dean of Engagement & Student Success. Since joining the law school in 2004, she has held several leadership roles, including Assistant Dean of Admissions and Assistant Dean of Inclusion.

A proud alumna, Dean Kinney earned her J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law where she was an active student leader, co-founding the Asian Law Student Association (ALSA) and representing the law school at various national Law School Forums, panels, and open houses. She is licensed to practice law in Indiana and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Prior to joining the law school, she assisted clients with matters in trust and estates, sports licensing, and entertainment law.

In her current role, Dean Kinney provides strategic leadership in designing and implementing holistic programs that foster community, connection, and access to legal education. From student advocacy, well-being, and pathway initiatives to collaborations with community partners and overseeing pro bono opportunities, Dean Kinney’s strategic vision centers on cultivating supportive environments and impactful learning experiences for student and community success.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Dean Kinney is committed to community engagement, fostering relationships and alliance-building. She served as a Parent Liaison and Inclusivity Chair, and a continuing Student Life Committee member at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, a Community Advisory Board and Executive Committee member for the Benjamin Harrison YMCA, and a former Board Member of Arts for Lawrence.

Dean Kinney’s contributions extend to Indiana CLEO. She has served on their Advisory Board and co-directed numerous ICLEO Summer Institutes, including transitioning the in-residence program to a virtual experience and back to a safe in-person program during the height of the pandemic. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Association of American Law Schools. She has held leadership roles in the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Sports and Entertainment Law Section Executive Committee and co-founding of two professional chapters for AALS and NADOHE. Recently, she was appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court’s Coalition for Court Access.

Dean Kinney organizes programs and continuing legal education (CLE) sessions and serves on conference planning committees. She frequently speaks on topics related to access, belonging, de-escalation, generational differences, professional identity formation, and well-being. She is a MIEA certified mindfulness teacher and certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, furthering strengthening her commitment to supporting student and community well-being.

For many years, she was a dedicated caregiver for her elderly mother and has shared her experiences balancing life as a full-time working professional, single mother, and caregiver in various interviews. Dean Kinney’s journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to advancing access to the legal profession and her commitment to empowering individuals and fostering supportive environments where all can thrive.