Lisa Nichols

Assistant Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, mixed methods researcher, non-profit founder, licensed counselor in CO and TX, Board of Directors Denver Children’s Advocacy Center.

• Ph.D. Sociology/Criminology, Texas Woman’s University
• M.A. Psychology, Houston Christian University
• B.S. Psychology, Texas Christian University

• Lecturer, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Northern Colorado,
• Adjunct Instructor, Department of Sociology, Texas Christian University
• Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Sociology, Texas Christian University
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-S) in Texas and Colorado

Religiously motivated crime, crimes against children, Hate Crimes, victimology, maternal filicide, law enforcement mental health.

Nichols, L.M., Hemler, D. (2026). Colorado Law Enforcement Perceptions of Reform-Era Legislature, Leadership, Mental Health Resources and Job Stress. University of Northern Colorado. (Technical Report)

Nichols, L.M. & Hemler, D. (2025). “This is me removing my mask:” Understanding Stigma and Cultural Barriers to Mental Health Support Among U.S. Police Officers, A Qualitative Study. Policing: An International Journal. https://www.doi. 10.1108/PIJPSM-08-2025- 0148.

Nichols, L.M. & Bowen, K.N. (2025). “It’s Like We Never See the Light at the End of the Tunnel.” Law Enforcement Perceptions on Stakeholder Collaboration and Resources at Children’s Advocacy Centers in a Southern State. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2025.2473493

Nichols, L.M. (2025). “Trauma-Informed Interactions Between Law Enforcement and Victims of Crime.” Subject Matter Expert, course creator and author. University of Denver, Anschutz.

Nichols, L.M. & Bowen, K.N. (2024). Law enforcement perceptions of job stress and barriers to mental health resources when investigating child sexual abuse. Policing: An International Journal, 47(2), pp. 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-09-2023-0121

Nichols, L. M., & Bowen, K. N. (2024). Law enforcement perceptions of job stress and barriers to mental health resources when investigating child sexual abuse. Policing: An International Journal, 47(2), pp. 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-09-2023-0121

Nichols, L. M. (2023). “He Made Me Do It.” Religion and maternal filicide in Texas: A postmodern feminist study. International Journal of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science. https://doi.org/:10.56734/ijahss.v4n12a1.

Nichols, L.M. (2023). Cancer, Caregiving and Counseling during COVID-19. The Autoethnographer.

Bones, P.D.C. & Nichols, L.M. (2023). “Hate and Race” in Hate Crimes: Typology, Motivations, and Victims, 2^nd Edition | Carolina AP.

Bowen, K. N. & Nichols, L.M. (2023). Collaborating on child abuse cases: Strategies to maximize relationships between law enforcement. Child Welfare 360⁰. Center for Advanced Studies of Child Welfare.

Bowen, K.N., Nichols, L.M., Young, B., Nhan, J. (2023). Law Enforcement Perceptions of Time and Resources in Child Abuse Cases: Findings from 15 CACs. The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas in partnership with Texas Christian University. 

MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVISE & RESUBMIT:

Nichols, L.M. & Hemler, D. (2025). From Immunity to Uncertainty: Colorado, USA police officer perceptions on the impact of reform-era legislature. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice.

MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW:

Nichols, L.M. &Hemler, D. (2025). Out of Touch and Out of Empathy? Perspectives from Frontline Officers on Leadership in U.S. Policing. The Police Journal: Theory, Practices, and Principles.

Nichols, L.M. & Hemler, D. (2025). Modern policing requires modern wellness: Evidence-Informed strategies for police chiefs. Police Chief Magazine.

Nichols, L.M. & Hemler, D. F. (2025). “The Bad Dad’s Club: A qualitative study on parenthood and family strain among Midwestern police officers.” Journal for Colorado Policing.

Nichols, L.M. (2024). When Caregivers Kill: Gender, Parental Role, and Sentencing Outcomes in Oklahoma Child Filicide Cases. Homicide Studies.

• Outstanding Doctoral Student in Sociology, Texas Woman’s University (2024)
• Ethelyn Davis Fellowship, Texas Woman’s University (2023)
  
• Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Texas Woman’s University (2023)
• Graduate Student Scholarship, Texas Woman’s University (2023)
• Graduate Student Scholarship, Texas Woman’s University (2022)
• Graduate Student Scholarship, Texas Woman’s University (2021)
• Alpha Kappa Delta, National Honor Society in Sociology (2021-Current)