Michael R. Pfahl - 2013
Michael R. Pfahl is an associate counsel with the Office of General Counsel at Kent State University in Ohio. His primary areas of responsibilities include immigration, international law issues, university policy development, contract administration, affiliation agreements, student conduct issues, administrative law issues, athletics issues, and the ever-present "and other duties as assigned."
Mike is also a graduate of Kent State University, as well as a graduate of its athletic rival in the Battle of the Wagon Wheel, the University of Akron School of Law. He also completed the Human Resource Studies certificate program offered by the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Though starting off as a journalist at a publication within the Gannett Corporation, Mike soon realized his passion for the law and quickly enrolled in the University of Akron School of Law. In 2006, he joined the Kent State University’s Office of General Counsel and began working on employment and policy issues. As is custom in any higher education office, his practice areas expanded as the office continued to meet the demands of the university and its administration.
Mike has been an active member of NACUA since 2007. During his tenure, he has authored two NACUANOTES and has served as a speaker, moderator, forum and discussion group leader at 10 NACUA educational programs. In his years as a member, Mike has served on several committees including the NACUANOTES Editorial Board where he currently volunteers and has been engaged since 2010. In 2007 – 2009, Mike also served on the Editorial Board for The Journal of College and University Law. In 2009, he volunteered on the Committee on Web Page Legal Resources. In addition to his committee service, Mike is also a frequent contributor to NACUANET.
His NACUA colleagues stated that Mike works for the betterment of the higher education law profession and is often posting reliable and credible legal suggestions on NACUANET and answering questions from colleagues nationwide. They also noted that Mike has an exceptional understanding of the intricacies of the rapidly growing and challenging area of immigration law.
NACUA is pleased to recognize Michael R. Pfahl as a recipient of the First Decade Award for his outstanding service to the Association and to the practice of higher education law during his first six years of membership.