Lisa Nichols

Faculty

Assistant Professor

Email lisa.nichols@unco.edu
Phone (970) 351-2707
Location Candelaria Hall 2075A
Address University of Northern Colorado Campus Box 147 Greeley, CO 80639
Office Hours Email for in-person or virtual appointment
Lisa Nichols

Biography

Assistant Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, mixed methods researcher, non-profit founder, licensed counselor in CO and TX, Board Member for Weld County District Attorney’s Office Crime Victims Compensation, Faculty Advisor Criminal Justice Society and Alpha Phi Sigma

Education

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

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • 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

Research Expertise & Interests

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

Publications

Nichols, L.M. & Hemler, D. (2026). “The Bad Dad’s Club”: A Qualitative Study on Parenthood and Family Strain Among Midwestern Police Officers. Journal of Colorado Policing. (forthcoming, acceptance June 8, 2026).
Nichols, L.M. & Hemler, D. (2026). From Immunity to Uncertainty: Colorado USA Police Officer Perceptions on the Impact of Reform-Era Legislature. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. (forthcoming, acceptance June 2, 2026).
Nichols, L.M., Hemler, D. (2026). (Technical Report) Colorado Law Enforcement Perceptions of Reform-Era Legislature, Leadership, Mental Health Resources and Job Stress. University of Northern Colorado.
Nichols, L.M. Hemler, D., Allman, A. (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.
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
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. (Technical Report) The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas in partnership with Texas Christian University.
Bones, P.D.C. & Nichols, L.M. (2023). “Hate and Race” in Hate Crimes: Typology, Motivations, and Victims, 2nd 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.
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: An autoethnography in nine parts. The Autoethnographer.
https://theautoethnographer.com/cancer-and-caregiving-healthcare-mom/