Cody Nicholls

Cody Nicholls is the Associate Vice President for National Security Initiatives at the Kyl Institute for National Security and the Director for National Security Initiatives, in the Office of Research and Partnerships, at the University of Arizona. In this role, he drives research and innovation by fostering strategic collaborations between faculty, federal agencies, and industry partners to address complex national security challenges.

A veteran of the Army Reserves and Wyoming National Guard, Cody served for nearly a decade, including two deployments to the Middle East and a stateside mobilization following 9/11. His extensive career in higher education includes nine years as the University of Arizona’s Assistant Dean of Students for Military and Veteran Engagement.

Cody holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Arizona and is a recognized leader in veteran advocacy. He currently serves on Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s veteran advisory council and is the Vice President of the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance. He also serves as a member of DM50. His previous leadership includes service on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach, as well as advisory roles for U.S. Senator Jeff Flake and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick.