Darren Nealy Honored with Award from Association of American Law Schools
Assistant Dean of Students Darren Nealy was recently recognized as the recipient of the 2025 Peter N. Kutulakis Student Services Award. The annual award, given by the Association of American Law Schools Section on Student Services, recognizes “outstanding contributions of institutions, administrators and law teachers in the provision of service to students.”
Receiving the Peter N. Kutulakis Award is a phenomenal recognition of Dean Nealy’s dedication and transformative contributions,” said Dean Kent Barnett. “He works tirelessly to ensure the success and wellbeing of our student body.
“It’s humbling that others see what I do as high value,” said Nealy.
Nealy’s role at Ohio State Law includes academic advising, academic counseling, records and registration, orientation logistics, graduation ceremony support, wellness initiatives, student organizations, the Identity Diversity & Justice program, accommodation implementation, exam management, and more. His responsibilities touch every part of the student experience, and he often goes above and beyond to ensure students feel supported.
“Dean Nealy is deeply dedicated to our law students - it is no surprise that he has won the outstanding staff award at the College on multiple occasions,” said Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Robert M. Duncan/Jones Day Designated Associate Professor of Law Kathy Northern. “He epitomizes our values of care and compassion.”
In addition to his administrative leadership, Nealy teaches courses on the Legal Aspects of Higher Education Administration for the College of Education and Human Ecology and on Loving v. Virginia for the College of Law. Beyond Ohio State, he has served in several roles with the National Association of Law Student Affairs Professionals (NALSAP), including currently as immediate past president.
“I like being able to help students get from their point A to their point X,” he said. “I call it point X, because everyone doesn’t land at point B. Seeing students’ different paths play out is very fulfilling.”
To read more about this year’s AALS awards and winners, click here.