Full Name
Nicole Marie Merhill
Job title
Director, Office for Gender Equity and University Title IX Coordinator
Affiliation/Organization
Harvard University
Short Bio
Nicole Merhill is the Director of Harvard University’s Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR). Nicole also serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. In her roles, Nicole oversees the University’s NDAB and Title IX Compliance Team, Prevention Education Team, Sexual Harassment/Assault Resources and Education (SHARE) Team, and Administrative Operations Team. In her capacity as University Title IX Coordinator, Nicole is responsible for Harvard’s overall Title IX system, as well as services within it, including direct support and consultation to the University’s 60+ Title IX Resource Coordinators; development and implementation of education programming and prevention efforts; and direct support to community members. Nicole is also responsible for overseeing the implementation of the University's Non-Discrimination and Anti Bullying (NDAB) Policies, including providing resources, information, and guidance to those who have questions about policies, processes, or supportive measures, and providing support to the University’s system of 80+ Local Designated Resources (LDRs).
Nicole has more than 20 years of experience in civil rights enforcement, with extensive expertise across various protected class statuses including sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. Before joining Harvard, she spent nearly fifteen years with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (Region I, Boston), where she served as a Staff Attorney, Senior Attorney, and Program Manager. In these roles, she led investigations, negotiated resolutions, and managed complex civil rights cases and proactive compliance reviews with national significance. Her work was grounded in key federal civil rights statutes, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Age Discrimination Act.
Nicole is a licensed attorney and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and English from Purdue University, and a J.D. and a Master in Education Law from University of New Hampshire School of Law.
Nicole has more than 20 years of experience in civil rights enforcement, with extensive expertise across various protected class statuses including sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. Before joining Harvard, she spent nearly fifteen years with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (Region I, Boston), where she served as a Staff Attorney, Senior Attorney, and Program Manager. In these roles, she led investigations, negotiated resolutions, and managed complex civil rights cases and proactive compliance reviews with national significance. Her work was grounded in key federal civil rights statutes, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Age Discrimination Act.
Nicole is a licensed attorney and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and English from Purdue University, and a J.D. and a Master in Education Law from University of New Hampshire School of Law.
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