Dr. Nicole Atwell is the managing director for the NV|Forward grants: Nevada Education Preparation, Retention, & Research (NIEPRR), Nevada Institute on Teaching and Educator Preparation (NITEP), Nevada Educator Preparative Institute & Collaborative (NV-EPIC). She has been at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) since 2016. With a specialization in early childhood and early childhood special education, she is also actively engaged in teaching in the Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education department, where she imparts her knowledge and expertise to aspiring educators.

Dr. Atwell's career spans over 15 years as a developmental specialist and administrator in early intervention services. Through her work in this field, she has positively impacted the lives of countless young learners and their families, ensuring that children with developmental delays and disabilities receive the education and support they deserve during their crucial developmental years.