A 2000 graduate of NKU’s Chase College of Law has returned to NKU as the new vice president of legal affairs and general counsel.

University President Geoffrey Mearns announced in a press release Wednesday that Joan M. Gates has been appointed to the position. She replaces Sara L. Sidebottom, who retired after 20 years with NKU.

“Joan brings deep and vast knowledge of legal issues surrounding academic research, technology, healthcare, regulatory compliance, and employment law,” Mearns said in a press release. “Her experience will serve our university well during this time of growth and change, and we are pleased to welcome her to NKU.”

Gates currently is the senior legal counsel at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She begins at NKU July 18.

“I am delighted and honored to return to my alma mater in this leadership role, and I look forward to working with President Mearns and his team to make a positive impact upon NKU’s future,” Gates said in the release.

According to the release, Gates will provide the university legal expertise and services, as well as serving on Mearns’ executive team and advising the Board of Regents.

In addition, Gates will oversee legal matters for the university and provide oversight for the both the Office of Financial and Operational Auditing and the Office of Compliance and Institutional Ethics, according to the release.

Prior to graduating from Chase, she earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Kentucky, according to the release. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association.