Dr. Kimberly Durham
If there’s one thing you should know about Dr. Kim Durham, it’s that she truly cares for students.
“For me, I love working with students,” Dr. Durham said. “It’s why I’m here. I love seeing students facing a challenge, working hard and succeeding. I love watching faculty work with students, helping them along their educational journey.”
Her own journey at NSU began nearly 30 years ago when she was a crisis clinician in one of our on-campus clinics. She quickly moved up, becoming a supervisor of case management. Soon enough, she was running the clinic as the director.
Her success only continued from there. She was named the Associate Dean for Social and Systemic Studies and then the Executive Dean at the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, a post she held for 13 years. From there, she helped create the Department of Human Services for the university. She oversaw that program as the Dean and eventual Department Chair.
Now, Dr. Durham has returned to her roots, serving as Dean for the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. In the time she’s been away from the College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, she’s seen a few things change on the educational landscape.
“In terms of NSU, aside from the physical changes on campus, the biggest change is we have a much stronger focus on research,” she said. “The interdisciplinary approach really engages all facets of our university in this endeavor. That doesn’t mean we’ve turned away from our students; we can still be actively engaged with them as well – just imagine the problems we can solve together.”
Over the years, in collaboration with community partners, Dr. Durham has facilitated a number of initiatives aimed at easing the transition to civilian life for returning military veterans and their families, including NSU’s newly established Veterans Resource Center. In addition, she provides oversight for the NSU-Broward Sheriff’s Office partnership, which has resulted in educational and research opportunities, national and local conferences, and community outreach for Broward Sheriff’s Office employees and the community.
Dr. Durham remains very approachable – for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Always quick with a smile, she’s ready to help with whatever might be troubling you.
“For me, I’ve always been someone who is ‘willing to make the coffee’,” she said. “Leading by example is how I do things – it’s the only way I know how.”
