Kentucky State University is pleased to welcome Nicole Sergent as General Counsel.

Sergent is an accomplished attorney with over 20 years of legal experience spanning higher education, government, regulatory enforcement, financial investigations, and litigation. She is a graduate of Denison University (B.A.), Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1999) and Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M. in Securities and Financial Regulation, 2000). She is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia. Sergent is recognized for her ability to analyze complex legal matters, lead teams effectively, and deliver strategic solutions both in and out of the courtroom.

Since 2021, Sergent served as Acting General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Deputy General Counsel and Compliance Officer at Central State University, cross-designated as an Assistant Attorney General by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. In this capacity, she led the Office of the General Counsel, advised the President and University leadership on regulatory compliance, litigation, labor relations, employment law, contracts, risk management, and supervised outside counsel engaged through the Attorney General’s office. 

Her higher education leadership includes chairing the University’s Policy Review Group, where she drafted and implemented key institutional policies related to Title IX, Title VII, Freedom of Expression, Records Retention, Anti-Hazing, Religious Accommodation, and Flexible Work. She has also played a pivotal role in accreditation compliance, Title IX training initiatives, and collective bargaining negotiations with multiple labor unions, including AAUP, CSUSA, and AFSCME. 

Sergent has also held senior legal roles in Kentucky state government, including Senior Staff Attorney at the Department of Revenue, Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection and Civil Divisions, and Director of Non-Depository Financial Institutions at the Public Protection Cabinet.

She brings to Kentucky State University proven executive leadership, having managed teams and overseen multi-million-dollar budgets in addition to directing investigations, enforcement, and regulatory compliance operations. Her wealth of experience representing universities, boards, commissions, non-profits, financial institutions, and government agencies underscores her versatility and deep expertise in navigating complex legal, administrative, and regulatory environments.

In her free time, Sergent enjoys spending time with her two children and enjoying the outdoors.

Kentucky State University President, Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo said, “Nicole Sergent will play a crucial role as we continue to move Kentucky State University onward and upward. We are very excited to work alongside her as we grow this great institution. ”