Kristen A.

Nichols
North Carolina | (828) 734-5312 | kristenambernichols66@gmail.com
Command | Restorative | Achiever | Activator | Input

EDUCATION

Master of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs ​Expected May 2021

Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC

Bachelor of Arts, Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing ​December 2017
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
ESOL and Reading Endorsements
Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Graduate Community Coordinator- Blue Ridge Hall, Allen Hall ​August 2019- Present
Department of Residential Living
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC
● coordinate the daily operations, logistics, management, and development of a residential community
● supervise a staff of undergraduate Resident Assistants and student leaders on a Residential Hall Council
● process all paperwork in a timely manner, including room changes, damage reports, and check ins/outs
● plan and monitor programming and the budget of a residential community
● communicate effectively, both orally and written, with residents, parents, visitors, faculty, and staff
● serve in an on-call duty rotation for the entire university
● serve as a Student Conduct Hearing Officer for conduct in a residential community
● participate and engage in extensive professional staff training
● facilitate health and safety inspections with Resident Assistants once per semester
● conduct weekly one on one meetings with Resident Assistants
● lead weekly staff meetings with Resident Assistants
● work closely with housekeeping and maintenance staff to ensure upkeep of a residence hall
● maintain an effective and organized programming budget for a residence hall

Miracle at WCU, Recruitment Intern ​August 2020-January 2021

Department of Campus Activities
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC
● recruited participants for the department’s annual dance marathon
● facilitated Miracle Leadership team meeting
● advised undergraduate students toward the recruitment of 200-300 freshman participants
● evaluated and assess Miracle Leadership outcomes through an Outcomes Based Assessment
● coordinated with stakeholders on campus and Children’s Miracle Network
● assisted in planning small and large scale recruitment events
● assisted in planning small and large scale fundraising events

University Participant Program Intern ​January​ ​2020-May 2020

University Participant Program, College of Education
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC
● supported college-aged students with disabilities in their daily activities
● assisted in organizing and planning an orientation camp on campus for prospective students
● created and edited learning profiles for all 2020 incoming students
● organized and facilitated new volunteer training for new student supports

Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant ​August​ ​2018-May 2019

Shining Rock Classical Academy | Waynesville, NC
● worked with an individual student to reinforce learning materials in all subjects
● introduced skills, strategies, and learning techniques into the classroom and special education setting

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 ● performed non-instructional duties that gave assistance to multiple students with/ without disabilities
● maintained a safe classroom and special education working and learning environment

UNDERGRADUATE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Student Teaching Intern ​October 2017- December 2017

1st Grade, All-inclusive Deaf Education
Florida School for the Deaf and Blind | St. Augustine FL
● collaborated with coworkers and directing teacher to develop lesson plans
● implemented lesson plans for all academic areas based on Common Core curriculum
● individualized lessons and methods of instruction according to student learning styles and strengths
● communicated with families in person
● participated in parent-teacher conferences
● participated in IEP team meetings to implement individualized special education interventions
● utilized technology including SmartBoard and IPad for lesson instruction
● managed a classroom of 12 students independently using positive behavior management strategies
● communicated with students daily using American Sign Language and Total Communication

Student Teaching Intern ​August 2017- October 2017

1st Grade, General Education
R.B. Hunt Elementary School | St. Augustine, FL
● collaborated with coworkers and directing teacher to develop lesson plans
● implemented lesson plans for all academic areas based on Common Core curriculum
● individualized lessons and methods of instruction according to student learning styles and strengths
● communicated with families in person
● participated in parent-teacher conferences
● utilized technology including SmartBoard and IPad for lesson instruction
● managed a classroom of 28 students independently using positive behavior management strategies

Resident Advisor ​August 2014- December 2017

Department of Residential Living
Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL
● served as a mentor/advisor for an average of 90 freshman residents per year
● built a safe and welcoming community in a residence hall
● created, planned, and implemented educational, social, and recreational programs
● enforced College and Residence Life rules and regulations resulting in safe, orderly, and enjoyable living
● managed various administrative duties such as maintenance requests, incident reports, and room transfers
● provided hall community with hall decorations twice per year
● provided hall community with door decorations twice per semester
● served regularly on a judicial hearing board for student conduct
● provided residents with access to college resources
● participated in monthly in service meetings and staff development

Student Ambassador ​August 2014- May 2017

Office of Admissions
Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL
● assisted in daily office operations including cleaning, organizing, and preparing materials for prospective students
● facilitated group tours for prospective students and their families
● created a positive, welcoming environment for all prospective students and their families
● assisted in responding to question about various things on campus
● assisted in the daily operations of student tours, including parking and directions
● participated in monthly in service trainings and staff development
● participated in Campus visit days twice per semester through facilitating tours
● participated in the clean up and break down of major admissions events

Recreation Leader ​Summer 2017

Founders Park | Islamorada, FL

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 ● coordinated and facilitated indoor/outdoor recreational activities for 10-75 participants
● communicated effectively with campers, parents, staff, and supervisors
● Supervised a staff of four camp counselors
● collaborated with coworkers to create recreational programs and ensure camp quality
● provided supervision to ensure safety of 10-75 campers at all times

Summer Camp Counselor ​Summer 2014-2016

Life for Youth Camp | Vero Beach, FL
Camp Homelani | Waialua, Oahu, HI
● planned, coordinated, and executed activities while guiding 15-50 campers, age 5-17 in personal growth and daily
skills
● communicated with parents regarding campers’ experiences and expectations
● collaborated and lived with other camp counselors to ensure quality of campers’ experiences
● supervised assigned campers in all water activities
● supervised assigned campers in all land and sport activities
● implemented a daily rotating cleaning schedule for meals and cabins

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Western Carolina University | ​Cullowhee, NC

Course Prefix ​Course Title ​Year/ Sem. ​Students #s %Instructor

​ ​ LEAD 141 Leadership in the Campus Community 1 2019F 12 .50

PRESENTATIONS

“Climb to Success: First Year Student Workshop Series”

October 2020-December 2020
Department of Residential Living
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC

“Resident Assistant Training Courses at WCU” Research Poster Presentation

March 2020
Graduate Research Symposium
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC

“Thriving in Inclusive Environments for Neurologically-diverse Students in Higher Education”

​October 2019
North Carolina Housing Officers Annual Conference
University of Greensboro | Greensboro, NC

“Thriving in Inclusive Environments for Neurologically-diverse Students in Higher Education”

October 2019
WCU 3 Minute Thesis Competition
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC

HONORS AND AWARDS

Departmental Honor Award ​December 2017
Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL

Dean’s List ​December 2013- December 2017

Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL

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Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and College ​August 2016
Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL

CONFERENCES

Intersect Diversity & Leadership Conference ​October 2020

Elon University | Virtual Conference

Careers in Student Affairs Conference ​October 2020

University of Greensboro | Virtual Conference

South Carolina Housing Officers Association Conference ​October 2020

University of South Carolina | Virtual Conference

North Carolina Housing Officers Annual Conference ​October 2019

University of Greensboro | Greensboro, NC

TedX UNCA: Unexcused Absence ​February 2019

University of Asheville | Asheville, NC

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Teacher/ Student Volunteer ​May 2019- Present

Shining Rock Classical Academy | Waynesville, NC

CERTIFICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROFICIENCIES

Campus Security Authority August 2020

First Aid Mental Health August 2019

National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) August 2019

CPR/ First Aid August 2019

Lifeguard Certification May 2018

Software Proficiencies​:
● Microsoft Office Suite
● Google
● Blackboard
● Canva
● Qualtrics
● OrgSync
● Maxient
● Mercury

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