Chief Legal Affairs Officer Named at Kennesaw State

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 11, 2018

Nwakaego Nkumeh brings 14 years of legal and higher education experience

Nwakaego Nkumeh
Nwakaego Nkumeh

Kennesaw State University has appointed Nwakaego Nkumeh as vice president and chief legal affairs officer, effective Oct. 17.

Nkumeh, who joined the University as an assistant general counsel in July 2012, currently serves as associate general counsel in Kennesaw State’s Division of Legal Affairs, a position she has held since April 2017. Prior to joining KSU, she spent five years in the Office of the Fulton County Attorney as a staff attorney and later a senior attorney, where she represented several county departments and the juvenile, state and superior courts in all legal matters.

“Nwakaego has proven herself to be a first-class attorney with a solid background in higher education,” said President Pamela S. Whitten. “As an integral part of KSU’s legal team, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to provide strategic thinking and leadership and I look forward to having her as part of KSU’s senior leadership team.”

In her new role, Nkumeh will be responsible for directing the Division of Legal Affairs in developing, implementing and maintaining goals that support the University’s strategic direction and mission. She also will provide legal counsel to academic and administrative offices across Kennesaw State, and oversee the University’s Department of Public Safety and Office of Institutional Equity. Nkumeh will report directly to KSU President Pamela Whitten and serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet. Andrew Newton, who currently serves as acting vice president and chief legal affairs officer will resume his position as deputy chief legal counsel until his retirement in early 2019.

“This is a wonderful opportunity, and I am excited to begin my next chapter at Kennesaw State, an institution that is undoubtedly on the rise,” said Nkumeh. “Since arriving at KSU, I have seen this university experience tremendous growth, and I am looking forward to being a part of the leadership team that will help guide KSU to reach new heights.”

Nkumeh began her career as a litigation associate at the Troutman Sanders law firm in Atlanta. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and received her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Nkumeh is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, the Northern District of Georgia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She is also a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

– Tammy DeMel

Photos by Lauren Kress

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.