Sr. Pastor of the Bibleway Christian Fellowship in New Kensington, and Director of the Rising Brothers and Sisters Program and faculty member at Point Park University, Mitchel is the Former Director of Learning and Development, current Advisory Board member of The Advanced Leadership Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business.
As a keynote, conference speaker and trainer, he relates well to diverse audiences with expertise in the areas of leadership development, team building, strategic planning, executive coaching, customer service, human services, business communications, and board development. A contributor to the book “Leadership Essentials,” Mitchel has also authored a book titled “Paved: Passion, Attitude, Values, and Determination—The Road to Winning and Success.”
Nickols holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Supervision and M.Ed. in Language Communication, both from the University of Pittsburgh; B.S. in Education with minor equivalency in Communications, Sociology, from Slippery Rock University; additional coursework at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Penn State University. Dr. Nickols has been a part of the faculty of Geneva College, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Human Services, Organizational Development, and Community Ministry (community collaboration). Courses taught include History and Theory of Leadership, Leadership and Communications, Leadership and Ethics, Leadership and Motivation, Leadership and Decision Making, Leadership and Organizational Change, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dynamics, Generalist Practice, Model & Theory. Mitchel has mentored more than 400 professionals from nonprofit, for profit, and entrepreneurial organizations.
Over the past six years at Point Park University, Dr. Nickols has taught leadership at the undergraduate leadership, MBA, and doctoral levels in the Rowland School of Business, School of Education, and the Community Engagement programs. He has taught doctoral courses on Cultivating Ethical Diversity, Decision Making, and Comparative Organizational Systems. Some of the doctoral work involved mentoring students, and Chairing or serving on dissertation committees with research in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion, implicit bias, diverse populations, conflict, and people management systems. Mitchel also served as a cohort coordinator for the doctoral Leadership and Administration program.
Dr. Mitchel Nickols developed, produced and hosted a nationally televised program, titled “A Nickols Worth”, including all western and central Pennsylvania, for Cornerstone Television Network (CTVN) which has won numerous national awards, The Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award, The Urban Heroes Award, and the New Kensington Chamber of Commerce Award. Mitchel also served as interim CEO at CTVN during a critical time when the president passed away suddenly. His responsibilities included Chairing the Board, running day-to-day operations, and overseeing the fiscal operations as acting CFO when the head of finances retired and moved back to Illinois. He also oversaw the national executive search for both CEO and CFO positions.
Mitchel served on numerous boards and committees, including Penn State University (New Kensington), Leadership Allegheny-Kiski (Chair), and the Salvation Army. He facilitates discussions for nonprofits on race, and diversity while providing training. He is a business consultant for nonprofits and for-profit organizations, has mentored administrators and executives, and continues work with post-doctoral students and their “Next Steps.”
Dr. Nickols is a sought-after mentor, professional coach, and facilitator/consultant in multiple states.