Nichols provides overall strategic leadership for the college’s instructional functions with guidance and advisory recommendations from the President and the Cabinet. He administers and evaluates instructional programs of the college, specific to curriculum development, assessment of student learning, accreditation, and educational quality. Serves as the primary contact for appointments including tenure, promotion in rank, lane advancement, sabbatical, and all relatedmatters to ensure that such processes comply with the terms of faculty and staff bargainingagreements and CCC’s policies and procedures. Lastly, Nichols participates in college and district governance and strategic planning, and with mentorship recently appointed Vice Presidents.

Nichols is responsible for the administration of academic programs (College Credit, Career & Continuing Education Programs, Personal and Professional Programs, and Adult Education) and the coordination of these with other college functions. He also oversees the development and implementation of policies and procedures and the daily operation and management of the unionized faculty, staff and a diverse student body.

Accreditation- Provides leadership to district and college administration in the development, production, delivery and continuing evaluation of the accreditation model- Serves as a consultant, resource and facilitator to district and college personnel on matters relating to assessment and accreditation, providing oversight in the planning and implementation of assessment, evaluation and accreditation efforts- Facilitates/leads regular compliance meetings to ensure deliverables are understood and satisfactorily met in advance of deadlinesAssessment- Provides guidance and expertise in the use of assessment data to improve curriculum and instruction, the role of assessment in institutional effectiveness and planning, and to fulfill compliance expectations of external accrediting and governing bodies- Facilitates the development and assessment of academic and co-curricular learning outcomes across the District by working collaboratively with faculty and administrators - Provides consultation and support to college faculty and administrators in collecting, analyzing and using assessment and evaluative data to strengthen and improve curriculum and teaching strategies- Collaborates with District and college administrators on the development of evaluation and assessment related policies and practicesEducational Development- Chairs monthly meetings with Tenure Assistance Program (TAP) leaders and Deans to review process implementation, address challenges, and to discuss opportunities for continued improvement of the faculty hiring and tenure process- Coordinates logistics for the first-semester orientation and other parts of the TAP curriculum- Ensures consistency of standards used in evaluating faculty, contract renewal and issuance of tenure. - Coordinate training and norming of administrators and faculty involved in the tenure process

3B Nichols Consulting provides public speaking, individual and group services to independent, local, and regional stakeholders focusing on the following areas:- Diversity and Inclusion- Education - Wellness

Nichols is responsible for the following:-Evaluates full-time and part-time faculty to ensure continuity of quality classroom instruction. -Recommends enhancement, retention or non-retention. -Provides written and verbal feedback on instructional quality according to Board/Union Collective Bargaining Agreements.-Coordinates and directs the evaluation, review, and implementation of innovative curriculum additions and revisions. Reviews course outlines and syllabi and offers feedback and assistance.-Assists the VP and Dean of Instruction in the tenure and post- tenure process.-Assists with comprehensive orientation programs for full-time and part-time faculty.-Works with the Office of Research to plan and conduct research.-Represents the college to community organizations and agencies and participates on district-wide committees.

Nichols is responsible the overall direction and administration of the services and activities provided by Academic Support Services. He plans, establishes, assigns work, monitors progress and evaluates results of department activities and projects. He oversees the development of the department budget and monitors expenditures to ensure adherence to budget. Nichols works with staff at all levels in the development, documentation, implementation and communication of policies and procedures relating to the department's responsibilities. In addition, he coordinates assessment activities for the college.

Nichols has worked for the Art Institutes since January of 2006 at the Washington, DC (Arlington, VA) campus. He has held various positions during his tenor at AiWashington such as Residence Life Coordinator, Student Development Coordinator, Coordinator of Academic Support, Psychology Faculty, and First Year Experience Faculty in addition to creating the First Year Experience program as Coordinator of First Year Experience. Currently, Nichols works as the Director of First Year Experience and Academic Support along with Psychology Faculty-in-Residence responsibilities.

Nichols worked as an Expressive Therapist. He conducted psychoeducation, relaxation, and art group therapy. He assisted in multidisciplinary process groups in addition to writing process notes.

Nichols worked as a Human Resource Management Coordinator. He ensure that all personnel and benefit forms and documents for all current active employees, terminated employees, APA Interns, and temporary staff are filled accurately in the employees file. In addition, he coordinated regularly scheduled file maintenance and assisted with HRIS data entry of individuals seeking employment with APA and the maintenance of employee records within the HR information system.