Nichols, who for the past three years served as an admissions counselor with the enrollment management team, succeeds Dr. Andrea Brode, who retired from the role.
The promotion, she said, will allow her to “continue empowering, encouraging, and supporting students and families on their journey towards abundant living.”
The Kingston, Jamaica native earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta, where she served in U.S. military. Nichols also holds a master’s degree in human services counseling from Regent University. She is pursuing an Ed.D in educational leadership with a concentration in Educational Psychology also from Regent.
Passionate about professional and community service, Nichols recently finished her term as secretary of the board for the Florida Association of Higher Education and Disability. Similarly, she continues as Beacon’s liaison to Rimes Early Learning Center, supporting the campaign to boost attendance in Lake County Schools.
In addition, Nichols — who earned conference basketball Player of the Year honors and a 2006 induction into the SUNY Oneonta Hall of Fame for the Red Dragons — helps coach the Beacon men’s basketball club.
Nichols’ vision includes creating a more student-centered focus at the center.
“With my team of learning specialists, I hope to make the Center for Student Success just that — the center of the student success — through the streamlining of processes and communications that support their first-year experience more closely,” she said. “Being aware of your strengths and the best ways to use them, may often be a key to overcoming all sorts of challenges.”