Harry Moon, President & CEO, Nova Southeastern University

May 2026 — Harry Moon, president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University (NSU), is guiding the institution through a period of accelerated momentum as it enters a new era as an R1 research university. In an interview with Invest: he discussed the impact of the R1 designation, the evolution of accelerated degree pathways, NSU’s expanding role in climate and ocean science, and how AI and new financing models are reshaping the future of higher education. “Research is critical, because only through research can you learn new information and become more innovative with the information that you do have,” assured Moon.

Reflecting on the past year, what major developments or shifts have had the greatest impact on NSU’s direction and priorities?

The most significant development has been Nova Southeastern University’s recognition as an R1 university by the Carnegie Foundation. That designation is based on the number of Ph.D degrees awarded and on surpassing a minimum threshold of research spending. Last year, NSU invested more than $50 million in research; this year, we will exceed $60 million. As a result, we are now one of only 187 institutions nationwide classified at the highest level of research activity. That milestone reflects years of investment and signals a new chapter for the university as we position ourselves more firmly on the national stage.

How is NSU thinking about the student experience differently as expectations evolve around support and career readiness?

While rankings and scorecards offer one perspective, I believe the most accurate measure of institutional performance is how well our students do after they graduate. The true test is whether they accomplish their goals, enter meaningful careers, and use the knowledge and tools gained at NSU to advance in their fields. We were recently recognized by Carnegie as an “opportunity university,” which examines how students perform financially once they leave. Our graduates earn significantly more than the national average, and that outcome reflects our focus on long-term student success. Each decision we make is aligned with that priority.

How are employers responding to NSU’s accelerated programs, and are graduates seeing stronger placement or earlier career advancement?

The cost of higher education and the debt students accumulate remain among the greatest challenges facing the sector. A few years ago, we began looking at ways to reduce the time to a degree without compromising quality. In the health professions, for instance, students can complete their undergraduate degree and their terminal MD or DO in six years instead of eight. We are applying that model to business, law, engineering, and other areas where thoughtful compression enhances value.

Because we operate a pre-K through 12 school, we also offer high-school juniors and seniors the chance to take college-level courses. For students who later enroll at NSU, those credits can further shorten their time to degree and broaden their exposure to humanities and other disciplines. Employers value graduates who are better prepared and who carry less financial burden, and we are seeing those advantages play out in placement and advancement.

With AI and digital tools becoming more integrated into education, how is the university adapting its approach to teaching and learning?

One of the most important elements of learning is mentorship. Throughout my career, the guidance of mentors has shaped how I evaluate situations and make decisions. When I encounter a complex problem, I often consider how a mentor might have approached it and what parallels I can draw. That human element is irreplaceable.

As AI becomes more embedded in education and the workplace, the need for human judgment, values, and interaction becomes even more essential. AI will be a powerful tool, but it cannot substitute for the personal connections that help students build their own frameworks for thinking. Our goal is to integrate AI in ways that strengthen learning while preserving the mentoring relationships that define a transformative educational experience.

What role do research and innovation play in NSU’s strategy for impact, both locally and nationally?

Research is fundamental to our mission. This summer, we traveled to Greenland with climatologist John Englander to study environmental changes firsthand. Experiencing what is happening in the polar regions underscored how interconnected global systems truly are, and how much uncertainty remains around the timing and degree of climate impacts.

We made an institutional decision to contribute to global data-gathering efforts that inform climate modeling. NSU will maintain a presence in Greenland, giving students the opportunity to study at one of the world’s most consequential research frontiers. This work will help refine projections related to sea-level rise, storm behavior, and atmospheric changes. Research is critical because only through research can you learn new information and become more innovative with the information that you do have.

NSU has a significant oceanographic footprint. How does that fit into your long-term vision and the broader blue economy?

Our oceanographic campus in Port Everglades, which includes a major research facility built with federal support, will play a growing role in our strategy. The oceans absorb CO2, regulate climate, and influence agricultural and economic patterns worldwide, yet their true capacity and vulnerabilities are not fully understood.

As interest grows in sustainable uses of ocean resources, including potential deep-sea mineral extraction, we want NSU to be at the forefront of climate and ocean science. Strengthening our programs in these areas positions the university and our students to contribute meaningfully to emerging industries within the blue economy.

Are there major facilities, technology, or infrastructure initiatives underway that signal NSU’s next phase of growth?

Healthcare is one of NSU’s defining strengths. We graduate more physicians than any other university in Florida and more healthcare professionals overall than any institution in the country. That includes nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, and multiple therapy disciplines.

Historically, our primary roles have been education and research. The next stage of growth involves expanding more directly into clinical care and patient-focused research, including clinical trials. Moving into that space will strengthen our ability to integrate academic excellence, research discovery, and high-quality patient care, creating richer training environments and broader community impact.

What do you see as the biggest pressure points or blind spots for universities nationally, and how is NSU trying to stay ahead of them?

One significant pressure point is the shifting landscape of student financing. Policy changes in Washington can reshape access quickly. As of January 1, 2026, graduate PLUS loans will no longer cover the full cost of attendance, including housing, books, transportation, and tuition. That affects institutions across the sector, including professional programs like ours.

We are working with financial institutions to design alternative financing options that can bridge that gap, ideally at competitive rates. The challenge is that private financing introduces creditworthiness assessments that some students may struggle to meet. Capable students with strong academic records but lower FICO scores could face barriers. Ensuring continued access for those students is a priority for NSU. We want higher education to remain within reach for talented individuals who can benefit the most.

As you look to the next few years, what is top of mind for you in shaping NSU’s direction and impact?

Florida’s population is aging, and people are living longer and healthier lives. Demand for healthcare will continue to grow, and NSU is uniquely positioned to meet that need through its broad slate of professional programs. At the same time, we must integrate AI more intentionally across the curriculum. Each profession will require a different level of fluency, and determining how best to prepare students is a major focus.

AI is not something to fear. It is a transformative tool — much like the printing press or the wheel — that can advance society if used wisely. Our responsibility is to embrace it while preserving the mentoring, human connection, and ethics that define a great education.

What is NSU’s broader economic and social impact?

A recent study estimated NSU’s economic impact in Florida at more than $6 billion annually. The same analysis found that for every dollar a student invests in tuition, there is roughly a six-to-one return over the course of their career. We have the data to support those findings, and they align with what we see among our alumni.

We are also evolving into a national university. Just under half of our undergraduates now come from out of state, and close to 40% of our graduate and professional students do as well. Many choose to stay in Florida after graduation. That combination of economic impact, talent retention, and innovation in healthcare and climate science makes this an especially promising moment for NSU and the communities it serves.