Florida Tech's Sixth President: Dr. John Nicklow

John Nicklow, Ph.D., became president of Florida Institute of Technology on July 1, 2023. He is the sixth president since the university’s founding in 1958.

A leader with vision, empathy and experience, President Nicklow succeeded quickly in elevating the visibility and impact of Florida Tech even as his work continues with key university and community stakeholders at the local, state and national levels.

In his first year, President Nicklow established a powerful strategic vision for Florida Tech, Forward Together, Boundless Potential, that focuses on four critical areas: people, programs, partnerships and learning optimization. This roadmap was developed with unprecedented collaboration and engagement on campus and in the community.

As that plan has progressed, President Nicklow has undertaken other major endeavors during his highly productive early tenure. Those include completion of a long-term master plan, the development and construction of the university’s largest-ever housing complex, a 500-plus bed, six-story structure that will open in Fall 2026, and the spring 2025 launch of a unique applied innovation hub President Nicklow championed, Vertex.

These successes and more are testament to President Nicklow’s belief in the power of collaboration and teamwork, which has enlivened and enhanced his distinguished, nearly 30-year career in higher education as a faculty member and academic administrator with a proven record in research, enrollment management, student success initiatives, fundraising, external partnerships and academic program innovation.

His seven years as president and CEO of the University of New Orleans (UNO) prior to coming to Florida Tech were marked by expanding partnerships with alumni, the community and regional business leaders, as well as enrollment growth, student success improvements and a stronger research enterprise.

He previously served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University, as well as in earlier leadership and faculty appointments in enrollment management and the university’s College of Engineering.

In keeping with his belief in the importance of community engagement, President Nicklow actively participates in nonprofit and economic development organizations. In Florida, those include the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Junior Achievement, and United Way, as well as service as an appointed member of Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Board of Trustees. He also serves as a member of the Military Officers Association of America – Cape Canaveral Chapter and the Civilian Military Community Relations Council. Earlier engagements included the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of New Orleans, the Committee of 100 for Louisiana, and a term as chair of the Greater New Orleans Higher Education Consortium.

Recognized for his teaching and research accomplishments by university peers, national organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and across industry, President Nicklow brings an educator’s curiosity to his leadership role that is built on experience and excellence.

He currently holds the rank of full professor in Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Florida Tech, and he was a full professor and endowed chair in UNO’s Department of Civil Engineering. His research interests focus on advancement of STEM education and on optimization of environmental and water resources systems. The author of four books, he has also published more than 75 articles.

A native of western Pennsylvania, President Nicklow earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Arizona State University, where he was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a diplomate of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers.

A registered professional engineer (P.E.) and a certified professional hydrologist, President Nicklow began his career as an environmental engineering officer with the U.S. Public Health Service. He and his wife, Stacy Nicklow, Ph.D., have one son, Ethan.