Springfield College Names Nicole D. Coakley Center for Service and Leadership Assistant Director

Springfield College announced that Nicole D. Coakley has been named the Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership assistant director following a national search. Coakley has more than 20 years of experience in community service programming, collaboration, leadership training, budgeting, and supervision.

A native of Springfield, Mass., Coakley is a well-respected member of our neighboring communities, and is the current administrator for the Springfield Police Department Mason Square C3 community policing program. In addition, Coakley has been a lead organizer of Unity in the Community, a local program helping to bridge the gap between youth in the community and law enforcement.

“We are so excited to welcome Nicole to the Springfield College community,” said Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership Director Charlene Elvers. “Nicole has demonstrated a strong commitment of service to so many communities. Springfield College is always dedicated to establishing and maintaining city-wide connections and partnerships, and we believe Nicole will only enhance our commitment in providing our Humanics philosophy to our community neighbors.”

Coakley’s involvement and dedication to the community is quite extensive and includes: program director at Morris Professional Child Care Services in Springfield, collaborator for the Side by Side initiative, program director with Digital Boombox Networks (DBN) / DBN Access, a member of both the Leadership Pioneer Valley Inc. and Gun Violence Elimination Alliance, and a proud contributor to the Neighbor 2 Neighbor program.

“Individuals will find from my professional experience and educational background in the medical, law enforcement, and educational fields, that I have a passion for fostering community partnerships and developing, promoting, and supporting activities and programming that emphasize the growth of mind, body, and spirit. This passion, is the very same spirit of Springfield College,” said Coakley. “I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the Springfield College community and continue my passion of being inclusive and working together toward helping others.”

In addition to her extensive community work in Springfield, Coakley also showcased a dedication to helping community programs throughout the state of Massachusetts including: serving on the board of directors for Easterseals Massachusetts, an organization that helps serve children and adults with disabilities. Coakley is a volunteer disaster action team supervisor and community volunteer leader with the American Red Cross, which includes fire response, and follow-up. Coakley also is a member of the Chicopee Women of the Moose, and a clerk for the non-profit organization Morris Open Pantry.

Along with her dedication of service to others, Coakley has been a proud member of The National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi), the largest collegiate leadership honor society in the United States.

Raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Coakley attended Garrett Academy of Technology and upon graduation, she earned her Cosmetology License, and an academic scholarship through the National Honor Society.

A proud mother of five, Coakley currently holds an associate of science degree in law enforcement, Bachelor of Science in Human Service, and Master of Education (LMHC/ Trauma Studies/ Substance Abuse), Medical Assistance Certification, First Aid and CPR certified, EEC Director II Certified. She is four classes away from completing her Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in organizational leadership degree at Northcentral University.

Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.