Nichol Simmons, Director of the Tom Hanks Center and a Sundance award-winning writer/director, began her film career in the production offices of feature films in her home state of Ohio while still a student at Wright State University. After gaining several years of industry experience, she moved to Los Angeles and worked in a variety of freelance production roles before transitioning into academia.

Nichol first joined USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and later became Director of National Workshops at the American Film Institute, where she led the prestigious Directing Workshop for Women (DWW). During her time at AFI, she oversaw the production of more than 200 short films through the DWW and AFI Conservatory, and reviewed over 1,000 scripts submitted by applicants. Films she has mentored have screened at major festivals including Tribeca, Slamdance, and Comic-Con, and have earned honors at Cannes, Palm Springs, and other national and international festivals.

While at AFI, Nichol founded Film Camp for Girls, a non-profit offering an intensive three-week training program for young women pursuing film and video production. She also co-founded a Las Vegas-based post-production company and continued developing her creative work. Throughout this time, she remained deeply connected to Wright State University, mentoring students and alumni, and helping many secure their first industry jobs.

After a brief return to USC as a Professional Development Specialist, Nichol resumed writing and directing full-time. Her credits include short films, web series, and contributions to projects for Rumble Films, Lifetime, Comedy Central, and PAX. A two-time Nicholl Fellowship semi-finalist for her scripts Done Already Gone and Baby Fat, she holds an MFA in Screenwriting from Cal State Northridge.

Nichol lives with her husband and their fierce Yorkie mini-Goldendoodle in Dayton and Los Angeles.