University of Virginia law professor Dayna Bowen Matthew has been named the next dean of George Washington University Law School.

Matthew, whose expertise is in public health law, will take the helm of the Washington school July 1. She will replace interim dean Christopher Bracey who took that position in last year when former Dean Blake Morant returned to teaching.

"Together, with its renowned faculty, dynamic students, influential alumni and dedicated staff, I look to provide a preeminent space for civil discourse, constructive collaborations and innovative thinking that will advance society's progress toward addressing the most difficult problems through law," Matthew said in an announcement of the appointment.

The University of Virginia has emerged as an incubator of legal education leaders—particularly women. Matthew becomes the fifth woman from school's faculty to become dean of a top-25 law school since 2012.

That list includes Elizabeth Magill, who was dean of Stanford Law School before returning to Virginia as provost; Jennifer Mnookin, who is now dean at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law; Kerry Abrams, currently dean at Duke University School of Law; and Risa Goluboff, who was on the Virginia faculty before moving into the dean's office in 2016.

"I am also proud of UVA's legacy as a launching pad for faculty members, particularly women, who go on to serve as leaders in higher education," Goluboff said in a prepared statement.

Matthew will also be George Washington Law's first female dean, and her appointment is the latest in a trend of more women and minorities leading law schools. In particular, Matthew will join the growing ranks of minority women in deanships—she is African American.

She joined the Virginia Law faculty in 2017 from the University of Colorado Law School where she was vice dean and associate dean for academic affairs. At Virginia, Matthew directs The Equity Center—a university initiative that seeks to strengthen the university's relationship with the surrounding community and redress racial and socioeconomic inequality. She also has a joint appointment at Virginia's School of Medicine.

"The university set out to find a visionary, strategic and entrepreneurial leader for GW Law, and Dr. Dayna Matthew embodies all of these qualities," said George Washington president Thomas LeBlanc. "She will be an outstanding leader for GW Law, and I am looking forward to welcoming her to GW."