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Beck Spears has joined the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law as assistant dean of development.

Spears will play an integral role in the philanthropic and outreach efforts of IU McKinney. Leading our development office, she will report to Dean Karen E. Bravo and to a vice president at the IU Foundation. She will guide the strategic direction for a comprehensive and coordinated development program that includes all aspects of fundraising. Working with the dean, faculty, senior staff, alumni, boards, and the Indiana University Foundation, Spears will maximize support and generate the momentum to reach the educational and programmatic goals of the school and constituents.

“As a fellow IU Hoosier, I look forward to meeting with McKinney School of Law alumni and friends to celebrate your education, your career, and discuss how McKinney will continue to produce strong legal professionals able to succeed in a variety of disciplines,” Spears said.

Spears joins IU McKinney from Michigan State University where, she led the Office of Development and Alumni Relations for the College of Nursing. Prior to that role, she held positions within the philanthropic and development areas for Food Finders Food Bank and Purdue University. Spears also has an extensive background in financial planning and counseling having held positions at Purdue University and a variety of financial institutions. She holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, a Master and Bachelor of Science from Purdue University, and an Associate of Arts from Tallahassee Community College.

Originally from Florida, Spears has lived in Indiana for 19 years, and has called the Indianapolis area home for the last 7 years. Her areas of interest include economic empowerment of women and other minorities. Her graduate research work in Cap Haitian, Haiti, "Key Constraints to the Success of Female Micro-Entrepreneurs," promoted financial and business standards for female street vendors roadside and in open markets. She is excited to join McKinney, as her favorite college courses were business law I and II, and as a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about education and social justice for all.