Kayla Nichols

Kayla serves as Interim Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Director of Undergraduate Admissions. She is a two-time Virginia Tech alumna, earning her bachelor's degree in Psychology and master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her pathway to Virginia Tech began as a transfer student, as she transferred to Virginia Tech from Virginia Western Community College after earning her associate degree.

Kayla identifies as a first-generation college student and began working in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a student worker in the mailroom. From there, Kayla earned progressively responsible roles upon graduation. She served as an admissions advisor, assistant director, senior assistant director, associate director, senior associate director of operations, and deputy director. She oversaw diversity and inclusion programming as an assistant director and senior assistant director. Kayla then provided leadership to operations, visitor experience, and communications, which included implementing Common App and streamlining various internal processes and procedures.  

In her most recent role as deputy director, she oversaw day-to-day operations for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, which included providing leadership to the data processing team, visitor experience team, recruitment team, communications, and customer support staff. Kayla has also worked in various roles with New Student and Family Programs, Summer Start, Cranwell International Center, and the Corps of Cadets. As a first-generation college graduate, she recognizes the value and importance of her role and aims to support students and families navigating the college admissions process.

Kayla’s professional involvement goes beyond Virginia Tech as she has presented at local, regional, and national conferences on topics related to access, inclusion, and program coordination. She served for several years as the Week 1A College Fair Coordinator for the Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (VACRAO) and later served as the Vice President of Admissions and Enrollment for VACRAO. Kayla was also selected as a 2021-2022 cohort member of the ASCEND leadership development program by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).  

Outside of work, you can find Kayla making pottery, traveling, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her husband and their rescue beagle named Birdie.

Hometown: Salem, VA.