Field of View:
A Journey from Sports Broadcasting to Communications Department Chair
By Scott Turnbough
Jason Nichols' career path is a testament to the power of following one’s passion. Today, as the department chair of communications at Alvin Community College, Nichols draws on his unique background as a sports camera operator to prepare students for careers in media.
Nichols didn’t start out behind a camera. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he spent his early professional years in pharmaceutical sales. Unfulfilled by the corporate world, Nichols found his true calling during a Houston Rockets game.
“I was watching the game and said, ‘I want to be the guy under the basket, capturing the action on camera,’” Nichols recalls. That moment sparked a career change that would take him to ACC.
He turned to ACC’s Communications program, where he trained under Bill Lewis, the former department chair. With a natural aptitude for the craft, Nichols quickly progressed, landing a job with KPRC in Houston before even completing his associate degree. From there, his career in sports broadcasting took off.
Nichols became a fixture in Houston sports, working for the Rockets, Astros, and Texans. His freelance career also led him to cover major events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and prestigious boxing matches for HBO.
“I never filled out a job application,” Nichols says. “Everything was word of mouth.”
His experiences behind the camera gave him invaluable skills that now inform his teaching at ACC.
“Live broadcasting teaches you to roll with the punches,” Nichols explains. “You have to stay calm, adapt quickly, and keep going, which is a great lesson for students.”
Nichols maintained his connection to ACC, teaching part-time classes while continuing his broadcasting career. After Lewis’ unexpected passing in 2020, Nichols’ years of experience in the industry, and commitment to the program, made for a natural progression to department chair of ACC’s Communication Program.
As department chair, Nichols has adapted the curriculum to keep pace with industry changes. “Students aren’t watching TV like they used to,” Nichols notes. “But the skills—video, audio, composition—are still in demand, just in different formats.” He has shifted the program to focus on multimedia journalism and developing a live event production program, to prepare students for a future in digital media.
A highlight of the communications program under Nichols’ leadership is its internship opportunities. Each year, students gain real-world experience working at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. These internships often lead to permanent positions, and Nichols proudly shares that he has the pleasure of working with many of his former students today.
For Nichols, the most rewarding aspect of his career is seeing his students succeed. Whether they continue to work in media or discover the field is not for them, he values the relationships he builds with students, many of whom stay in touch long after graduation.
Jason Nichols’ story is not only a reflection of his own success but also the strength of ACC’s communications program. His journey—from uncertain business major to department chair—serves as an inspiring example for students pursuing careers in communications.