Nicole Woods is studying psychology and is serving in the Air Force ROTC program. This academic year, Cadet Woods was given the role of deputy wing commander for 225 officer candidates. Woods transformed the organization by promoting a team mindset and changing the way cadets work together. She fosters connection and team spirit, using her emotional intelligence to address the needs of her subordinates. Woods’ outstanding leadership history began when she served as a flight commander and her command team was nominated as one of the best in the detachment. She holds many leadership positions in extracurriculars outside of AFROTC, including her involvement in Arnold Air Society (AAS), a professional, honorary, service organization. As deputy operations officer, she transformed her squadron's service impact, logging a record 3,800 service and professional development hours. The squadron won the 2023 Badley Trophy for Best Medium Squadron of the Nation, the first award the squadron has received in over a decade. Woods manages the strategic communications of 13 squadrons in five states as the AAS Region VIII director of public affairs, serving as regional staff. She has also become a facilitator with Peak-to-Peak, where she has mentored more than 100 freshman and sophomore cadets at a critical phase of their college careers.