James E. Nichols
M.S., The University of Texas at Austin, 1973
B.S., University of Kansas, 1966
B.S., University of Kansas, 1966
Academy of Distinguished Alumni, inducted 2023
James “Jim” Nichols, P.E., is a distinguished civil engineer with a career spanning over five decades. After earning his undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of Kansas, he pursued graduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin, a decision that shaped his diverse professional journey.
Nichols’ career evolved from geotechnical engineering to founding Nichols Consulting Engineers (NCE), a nationally recognized firm. He led NCE for 14 years, growing it from 5 to 50 employees. Post-retirement, Nichols transitioned to academia, teaching at Truckee Meadows Community College. He developed an NSF-funded curriculum for civil engineering practitioners and led a DOE-funded project to create a Geothermal Plant Operators program.
Nichols’ career exemplifies his commitment to lifelong learning and adaptability in engineering. His experience spans consulting, entrepreneurship and education, making him a valuable contributor to the field.
