He has a Bachelor of Science in horticulture from North Carolina State University, a Master of landscape architecture from Ball State University, and is a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. in design program at North Carolina State University. Before joining the faculty at LSU, Nicholas taught introductory ecology, ornamental landscape plants, planting design, and various histories of the built environment at North Carolina State University and Ball State University. He has experience working in landscape construction and design consulting, and served on the Executive Committee of the NCASLA.