Nicole Hergott began the ACED program in Fall 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Mississippi. She is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Pellissippi State Community College. Her research focuses on adult and lifelong learning, the experiences of adult learners in STEM pathways, and how technology shapes teaching and learning in higher education.