PELP Director

Dr. Nichols serves as Director of the President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP). She earned her B.A. in Communication Arts, with an emphasis in theatre and a minor in creative writing, and her M.A. with honors in Speech and Theatre, both from Austin Peay. Her doctoral degree in Leadership and Professional Practices is from Trevecca Nazarene University. Dr. Nichols has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication since 2007. Prior to returning to Austin Peay, she worked as a Client Services Director for a Fortune 500 company and as a professional regional actor and director.

Dr. Nichols is a strong advocate for high-impact practices and creating learning opportunities for students inside and outside the classroom. She revitalized the Honors public speaking course to include a designated service learning component and created an Honors course centered on community communication and servant leadership. Dr. Nichols has served as president of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and has received multiple Tennessee Communication Association awards, including recognition for service, undergraduate and graduate student mentorship, and Educator of the Year. Among her favorite aspects of the role are the determined, engaged, and enthusiastic students in the program and the dedicated leadership team that supports it.