Colby Community College President Stephen Vacik has announced the selection of Gregory Nichols as the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Nichols will replace Joyce Washburn who retired this year after working at the college since 1980.

Nichols has served as the Associate Dean of Instruction at Cowley Community College in Arkansas City since July 2011.  He began his career at Cowley as a math instructor in August 1999.  He has also taught classes at Emporia State University, Southwestern College, and Butler Community College.

He has received a number of honors and awards for teaching excellence.  In 2010, Nichols received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Master Teacher Award.  He was selected in 2009-10 for the Paul Stirnaman Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence and was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

Nichols is also very involved in community organizations.  He served as a board member of the Arkansas City Christian Academy from 2008-12, currently is a board member of the Salvation Army, served as a Boy Scout leader from 2003-08 and was the Cowley College Academic Bowl Team Advisor from 2006-11.  He also served for a number of years as a coach for the Arkansas City Recreation Commission and Arkansas City Christian Academy.

Nichols received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Master’s Degree from Emporia State University, and has completed Graduate Studies at Southwestern College, St. Thomas University and Portland State University.  He is a completing work on an Ed.D. from Grand Canyon University with anticipated completion in 2014.

“We feel very fortunate to have someone with the professional and personal attributes of Greg joining the college,” said CCC President Steve Vacik.  “He and his family are excited about moving to town and I know they will be a welcomed addition to our community.”

He will begin his duties at CCC on July 1.