Nicole Cowans

Nicole Cowans is an Assistant Professor of Voice and Speech in the Department of Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts. An Afro-Latina artist fluent in English and Spanish, her work integrates performance with healing arts to foster empathy and inclusivity. She holds an MFA in Drama from UC Irvine and a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology with a minor in Vocal Performance from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Cowans has taught at institutions including UC Irvine, Center Theatre Group, and the Lee Strasberg Institute. Her professional background includes acting representation by Atlas Talent Agency (voice-over) and A3 Artists Agency (commercial), complementing her academic focus on culturally responsive pedagogy. She brings unique perspectives from her upbringing in Puerto Rico and Alaska.