Laurie Nichols

Nichols was born in Colman, South Dakota.[1] She earned a bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State University in 1978, followed by a master in education from Colorado State University in 1984 and a PhD in family and consumer sciences education from Ohio State University in 1988.[2][3]

Nichols began her career at the University of Idaho. She was the dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at South Dakota State University from 1994 to 2008, and interim president of Northern State University from August 2008 to June 2009. She was the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at South Dakota State University from 2009 to 2016 and then was appointed president of the University of Wyoming in 2016.[2]

Nichols served as the president of the University of Wyoming from May 16, 2016 to June 30, 2019, when she was abruptly fired by the Wyoming Board of Regents. Later, it came to light that she had yelled at subordinates at the University of Wyoming. An ongoing investigation found that this verbal abuse was part of a larger pattern of behavior on Nichols' part which led, ultimately, to her termination.[4] She took on the presidency of Black Hills State University in 2019,[5] initially on an interim basis (starting in July). Her appointment as president was confirmed by the South Dakota Board of Regents in December 2019.[5]

With her husband Tim, Nichols has two daughters.[2]