Beacon College will celebrate its first fall Commencement Exercises on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 4:30 p.m. at the Venetian Center.
This fall, the college will award 24 bachelor’s degrees and seven associate’s degrees.
In addition to recognizing the students, the college celebrates the retirement of Dr. Nicki Nance, associate professor, with the distinguished Beacon Medal. Nance is the fourth person to receive the medal in the college’s 35-year history.
“We are privileged to not only celebrate our students for their educational accomplishments but also to recognize the dedicated service of Dr. Nance to our college community,” said Beacon President George J. Hagerty.
Nance joined Beacon College in 2012 where she has served as an associate professor of human services and psychology. In this role, she has been both an educator and a mentor, inspiring her students to pursue meaningful careers in mental health and human services. Her guidance has equipped them not only with the knowledge and skills to succeed professionally but also with the empathy and resilience necessary to serve others with compassion and excellence.
Before joining Beacon College, Nance built an extensive career focused on helping individuals overcome adversity and achieve personal growth. As the founder of Nicki Betts, Inc., she spent 17 years offering specialized mental health and employee assistance services. She later worked as a consultant and seminar facilitator for Florida’s One Stop Workforce, where she provided vital support to displaced workers and veterans navigating life’s challenges. In each of these roles, Nance demonstrated an unwavering commitment to uplifting those in need.
Additionally, she has been regularly featured in national media in publications including The Chronicle of Higher Education, Reader’s Digest, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Chicago Tribune, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Self, Reuters, Redbook.com, WomensHealth.com, Prevention and many more.
Nance received a doctorate from Capella University, a Master of Science in education from Youngstown State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Youngstown State University.