Nicole Gunn, Ed.D.

Professional Experience

• 2005-2018 Administrative Coordinator, Valdosta State University

• 2004-2005 Information Resource Consultant I, Medical University of South Carolina

• 2000-2004 Helpdesk Technician/Trainer, College of Charleston

• 1996-1999 Software Developer/Technical Writer, Coleman Information Services

Research Interest

Minority Leadership in Higher Education, Concept-Based Curriculum in Online Environments

Teaching Fields: Adult and Career Education, Workforce and Human Resource Development, Qualitative Research Methods, Leadership in Educational Contexts, Technology Integration in Education

Dr. Nicole Gunn serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Adult and Career Education at Valdosta State University. She holds an Ed.D. in Leadership from Valdosta State University and a Post-Doctoral Certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies from the University of Georgia. Her research examines the intersections of race, gender, and equity within adult, higher, and career education, focusing on the professional experiences of Black women in academic and workforce contexts. Dr. Gunn teaches courses in workforce and human resource development, technology, and curriculum and instruction. Her scholarship and teaching reflect a commitment to culturally responsive and equity-centered practice

Recent Publications and Presentations:

Ferguson-Whitehead, J., Scott-Ruttencutter, G., & Gunn, N. (2025). Removing the obstacles that confront: the impact of a nontraditional school reform model on graduation rate in an urban school district. GATEways to Teacher Education, 34(2), 1-10 https://issuu.com/gaate/docs/georgia_association_of_teacher_educators_vol.34_is/8

Perry, S.A., & Gunn, N. (2025). We must create space to feel it all: empowering bipoc women through university-based professional development. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/19394225251339037

Gunn, N. (2016). An interpretive study of professional experiences of African-American women who achieve career advancement in institutions of higher education (Doctoral dissertation). Valdosta State University. https://www.proquest.com/openview/be8c9f1357008f7db479067ac9deae78/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Presentations
Perry, S.A., & Gunn, N. (2025, October). Creating space to feel: Supporting BIPOC women’s professional development in graduate-level adult education [Roundtable presentation]. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH, United States.

Gunn, N, (2020, April). Theory and Practice of Web Design [Online presentation]. Business Education Research Conference, National Business Education Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA

Gunn, N., Tsemunhu, R. (2017, August). A Qualitative Interpretive Study of Professional Experiences of African American Women who achieve senior leadership positions [Oral Presentation]. International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference, Puerto Rico. August 2017.

Gunn, N. P., Jackson, E. (2013, February). Securing Online Testing Using Lockdown Browser Technology [Oral Presentation]. Online Lifeline Conference, Center for Elearning, Valdosta State University.