Olympia Ross Duhart Becomes Dean of NSU's College of Law, Advancing Legal Education

Olympia Ross Duhart Named Dean of NSU's College of Law

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) recently announced the appointment of Olympia Ross Duhart, J.D., as the new Dean of their Shepard Broad College of Law. This decision comes following her role as interim dean, which she held since April 2025. During her interim tenure, Duhart has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has successfully progressed the college's academic and institutional objectives.

Ronald Chenail, NSU's Executive Vice President, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer, stated, "The search process included valuable input from the college’s faculty, students, and alumni, all of whom showed strong support for her appointment. Her experience, leadership, and foresight make her perfectly suited to advance our institution further."

An alumna of Shepard Broad College of Law, Duhart has also served in several leadership capacities, most recently as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives. Her dedication to legal education has been evident throughout her 20-year career at NSU, where she has contributed significantly to the college’s reputation and curriculum, particularly enhancing the national standing of the Legal Research and Writing Program.

Duhart's influence extends beyond the confines of the university; she has been a co-president of the Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) twice, marking an unprecedented achievement as the first woman to do so in the organization’s history. Additionally, Duhart has actively volunteered with various professional organizations, including the Association of American Law Schools and the Southeastern Association of Law Schools. Her commitment to justice and equality is also illustrated through her volunteer work with the Florida Innocence Project.

Before her career in academia, Duhart practiced as a litigation associate with Ruden McClosky and also taught English and creative writing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. She has experience in journalism, having worked as a staff reporter for The Miami Herald. As an accomplished author, she co-wrote "Persuasive Legal Writing A Storytelling Approach" and has produced educational content for the SALT Teaching Social Justice Podcast.

Duhart's scholarly work has been featured in numerous national publications, including the Wake Forest Law Review and The New York Times, reflecting her standing as a prominent voice in legal education. Born and raised in Miami, Duhart graduated Magna Cum Laude from NSU and earned her bachelor's degree in English, Cum Laude, from the University of Miami.

As NSU stands as the largest private research university in Florida, Duhart's leadership is anticipated to significantly enhance the college's academic environment and its contribution to the legal field. With her at the helm, the Shepard Broad College of Law is poised for continued growth and influence in legal education and social justice advocacy.

The Nova Southeastern University community eagerly anticipates the advancements under Dean Duhart's leadership, recognizing her capacity to inspire students and faculty alike as they strive for excellence in the pursuit of justice and legal scholarship.