William Dee Nichols

Dr. William Dee Nichols is a professor of Literacy Education and is the former Director of the School of Learning and Teaching and Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine. Dr. Nichols teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of literacy development, literacy teaching methods and strategies, reading diagnosis, and children's and young adult literature. His research interests include fluency development, vocabulary instruction and reading comprehension with a particular interest in professional development in these areas. He is also interested in the early stages of reading development and helping all learners develop a solid foundation in literacy that will lead to a lifetime of reading for joy.
Dr. Nichols received the College of Education and Allied Professions Research Award in 2009 at Western Carolina University, the Outstanding Alumni award from the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University in 2013. At the University of Maine, Dr. Nichols has received, the College of Education and Human Development's Research and Creative Achievement Award (2017), the University of Maine's Faculty Mentor Award (2020), the College of Education and Human Development's Service and Engagement Award (2021) and the Faculty Senate's Award for Exceptional Service Award (2026).