Dr. Nicole Norfles is the Director of Program Practice and Innovation on the Program and Professional Development team. In this role, she facilitates COE’s STEM Community of Practice and STEAM Club curriculum development; directs Onboarding and the U.S. Department of Education Priority 4 Financial Aid Training; and targets professional development for McNair programs to include development of the McNair Scholar Directory. She previously directed COE’s I3 project, GO College, which embedded college access staff in high need high schools to raise college enrollment and graduation; was Co-PI on two NSF grants to advance student STEM learning and retention among TRIO professionals; and, before 2011, served as the Education Program Officer with the Oprah Winfrey Foundation supporting education access, retention, and success initiatives in South Africa with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Prior to 2006, she served as the first Fellow in the Pell Institute, advancing research on educational opportunity and retention for low-income, first-generation students to include McNair scholars, as well as Special Assistant to the COE Founding President, Dr. Arnold Mitchem. She is published and has presented broadly, nationally and internationally. Dr. Norfles received her doctorate from George Washington University and PMP Certification through Georgetown University.