Upcoming Guest Speakers to Share Stories on How Race, Culture,
Gender, Sexual Orientation & More Shaped Their Careers
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2016) – Encouraging students to “bring their passion to work every day,” “build your network” and know that “attitude is everything,” UCF College of Business alumnus and Vice President of Technology Portfolio and Project Management Office at NBCUniversal Brian Nichols, ’86, kicked off the first UCF College of Business Diversity Speaker Series last week in The EXCHANGE.
Watch the Knightly News story featuring Brian Nichols: Knightly News clip
Talking to about 90 students Thursday, the author and NBCUniversal executive shared his personal journey of growing up poor in Central Florida, coming out after speaking with a UCF counselor and then going to work in the corporate world after graduating with an accounting degree. He said his positive attitude, belief in himself and his passion for working hard helped him overcome challenges he faced earlier in his career.
“Ellen DeGeneres once said, ‘I was fired for being gay but look at me now,’ and that’s the approach I like to take in my life—that no matter the obstacle or challenges you may face, or how unfair they may seem, believe in yourself and you will come out better on the other side,’” said Nichols, who lives down the street from the comedian’s lead writer in LA.
At NBCUniversal, Nichols is responsible for partnering with company leaders on technology investment decisions and monitoring their portfolio of projects to achieve business outcomes and manage risks for the media giant.
At the end of his talk in The EXCHANGE, a long line of students formed to meet Nichols and speak to him one-on-one.
The idea for the new Diversity Speaker Series was born out of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting. Following the mass shooting, Nichols along with members of the Dean’s Advisory Board, alumni and faculty reached out to the college looking for a way to help the students and community heal.
“The Pulse tragedy touched the entire Orlando community. The College was no exception,” said Paul Jarley, Dean of the College of Business. “We lost a student that horrific night, and the Dean’s Advisory Board along with several of our alumni wanted to make a statement in support of our community. It is our hope we can turn tragedy into understanding and a celebration of our differences.”
When presented with the idea for the forum, Nichols jumped at the chance to speak at his alma mater—he’s traveling in from his home in California—and he was the first person to offer financial support for the effort.
“I wanted to help in whatever way I could,” Nichols said. “If this Diversity Speaker Series can make a difference in one person’s life, I will take that as a win.”
The Diversity Speaker Series next will host Cal Jackson, Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the global technology giant Tech Data, on Monday, Nov. 14.
The EXCHANGE is a 120-person “idea room” with interactive storytelling where speakers share their stories in an authentic and engaging manner that expands students’ horizons and helps them make successful decisions about their lives and careers.
UCF College of Business would like to especially thank Brian Nichols, ’86, and Laurette Koellner, ’77, for spearheading the Diversity Speaker Series, as well as Dean’s Advisory Board members Rick Baldwin, ’80, Karen Hackett, ’82, Stan Horton, ’73, and Jeff Lehman, ’78, for their support. To learn more about the Diversity Speaker Series, please visit: The EXCHANGE.
If you would like to donate on behalf of the Diversity Speaker Series, please contact tara.kemmerling@ucf.edu.