The University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Board of Regents today approved the appointment of Dr. Jane Nichols as Acting Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Nichols, who is currently serving as Associate Dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno, was appointed for the period May 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998.

UCCSN Chancellor Richard S. Jarvis commented, " I am delighted to have Dr. Nichols join the System Administration. This is an extremely important position as Dr. Nichols will provide system-level leadership in new initiatives in academics and student programs and services. She brings tremendous experience, expertise and skills to the position."

Dr. Nichols has been a faculty member of the University of Nevada, Reno since 1984. From 1984 to 1990, she served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and as Acting Director of the Graduate Program in Social Work. More recently, Dr. Nichols served as Coordinator of the Core Curriculum and as Director of University Assessment from 1990-1995. As Coordinator of the Core Curriculum, she played a key role in the development of diversity courses and UNR's Western Traditions curriculum. As Director of Assessment, she had responsibility for university-wide assessment and evaluation efforts, including student, alumni and employer surveys; student focus groups and exit interviews.

Dr. Nichols has held the position of Associate Dean of the College of Education since 1995. In this capacity, she has had budget, curriculum, assessment and student services responsibility for the College. Dr. Nichols has been the Principal Investigator on grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy and has authored many peer-reviewed journal articles.

Dr. Nichols received her Bachelors degree with Distinction from Rhodes College, her Masters degree in Administration and Social Work from the University of North Carolina and her Ed.D. from the University of Tennessee