October 17, 2021

Dear Promotion Committee,

I am pleased to support Dr. Nicole Nicholson for promotion to Associate Professor at UMass
Global. I have had the pleasure of working interdisciplinary with Dr. Nicholson as a faculty
colleague and as a member of Governance and Appeals Committee (GAC).

Through our interactions on GAC Dr. Nicholson and I developed a collegial relationship, in
which we can have candid and transparent discussions on topics such as student success, creating
diverse and inclusive spaces inside and outside of classroom settings, and social justice issues.
Based on my interaction with Dr. Nicholson and feedback from her colleagues she is committed
to being culturally responsive, by being able to demonstrate knowledge, and sensitivity to the
needs of culturally diverse and oppressed populations.

Over the years of working with Dr. Nicholson on GAC, I have witnessed her dedication and
advocacy for our students to ensure they are treated fairly and given due process. She is highly
ethical, demonstrates good judgment, organized, thoughtful, collaborative, calming, and humble.
We have worked on numerous projects together, and I can attest that she is a great leader that
works from a collaborative lens. One of her remarkable strengths is knowing how to amplify
other individuals’ talents and voices. In our meetings, she has always been inclusive in seeking
ideas and inspirations from others in the revision of the academic integrity policies. In addition,
Dr. Nicholson was the secretary for GAC for 2 years and during that time it is noteworthy to
identify how she ensured that our team was aware of meeting time and agenda. As well as she
completed task in a timely manner and efficiently.

Based on my observation and discussion with Dr. Nicholson she is a strategist and an optimist
who has a passion for enhancing student learning experience. She is successful in the work that
she does even when faced with challenges, she is able to navigate them by also seeking guidance.
She is never shy of hearing constructive feedback that help her to further develop professionally
as a leader and personally. Dr. Nicholson is an astute friend and a professor who serves to model
and support Brandman University’s mission and values and has demonstrated an
uncompromising commitment to quality in all her work.

The examples I shared are only a few of the many experiences that exemplify Dr. Nicholson’s
contributions to UMass Global and the School of Education. It has been my privilege to work
with her as a colleague and as a faculty member, admiring and respecting her leadership skills.

University of Massachusetts Global | A private nonprofit affiliate

16355 Laguna Canyon Rd., Irvine, CA 92618 // 949.341.9800 // umassglobal.edu
From the vantage point of each of these perspectives, it is an honor to support Dr. Nicholson in
achieving this milestone promotion at UMass Global.

Sincerely,
Nakisha Castillo,
Digitally signed by Nakisha Castillo, DMFT, LMFT
DN: cn=Nakisha Castillo, DMFT, LMFT, o=MA
Psychology, ou=Associate Professor,

DMFT, LMFT email=ncastil1@brandman.edu, c=US

Date: 2021.10.17 23:53:51 -07'00'

Nakisha Castillo, DMFT, LMFT

Associate Professor, Psychology
Director of Fields

University of Massachusetts Global | A private nonprofit affiliate

16355 Laguna Canyon Rd., Irvine, CA 92618 // 949.341.9800 // umassglobal.edu