ASN Staff

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Nicole MichelNicole Michel brings two decades of educational experience and leadership to the Arts Schools Network. Beginning her career with Greenville County Schools in 2005, she taught high school English through 2018, shaping writers and critical thinkers as well as engaged young artists. She then transitioned into school leadership, serving as a middle and then high school Assistant Principal. In 2021 she was named Assistant Director at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, South Carolina where she helped steward one of the region’s most innovative arts education environments.

Nicole believes deeply in the transformative power of arts schools and that access to rich, high-quality artistic experiences elevates not just student achievement but personal growth, creativity, and lifelong expression. She is passionate about supporting leaders and educators with the resources, community, and shared expertise needed to sustain and expand exceptional arts learning opportunities.

A cum laude graduate of Furman University, Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature from Middlebury College and a Master’s in Education Administration from Clemson University.

Though she still resides in South Carolina, she will move to San Antonio, Texas this year with her partner, two dogs, and two cats (Clinton, Henry, Zadie, Lucille, and Indi).  

Contact Nicole:  [email protected] 

MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

Laurie Barber has been working in arts education and arts administration in Orange County, California for over 25 years.  She has worked for Aids Services Foundation, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Orange County School of the Arts.  She currently works part-time for Arts Schools Network as the Membership Manager. Laurie is passionate about finding ways to increase access to arts education for all and is excited to connect with other arts leaders to grow the ASN community.  

Some fun facts about Laurie:

    • She is a visual artist, and her preferred medium is clay.  It’s magical!  
    • She went to culinary school and can make a mean chocolate chip scone.
    • She volunteers as a cuddler in the NICU for CHOC Hospital. 
    • She loves a good spread sheet and color coding is her jam.
    • Her goal is to visit all the National parks.  22 down, 42 to go!
    • She rode her bike 556 miles from San Francisco to LA. She highly recommends an adventure like this for everyone!
    • She played basketball in high school, and it saved her.  Not to brag, but her team was league champs 4 years in a row.
    • She was taught the importance of craftsmanship at a young age. 
    • She is a recovering self-critic.
    • She is an angry optimist.
    • Her life’s calling is to remind everyone that they were born creative and creative expression is for everyone! It is healing, it is essential, it is a human need. 

Contact Laurie: [email protected] 

CONFERENCE MANAGER

Travis Springfield joined the ASN team as Conference Manager in January 2025, following a remarkable 30-year career in public education. Retiring in July 2024, Travis held a variety of roles, including classroom theatre teacher, campus guidance counselor, dean of students, and district fine arts administrator. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Texas State University and a master’s in counseling from Texas A&M University–Prairie View. During his time as lead counselor and dean of students at Houston’s renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), Travis became actively involved with the Arts Schools Network (ASN), serving on its Board of Directors in 2013 and 2014. He currently serves as an adjunct professor in the University of Houston’s summer master’s program for theatre educators.

Travis is a dedicated advocate for the arts, demonstrated through his extensive service with Texas theatre organizations. He has served on the State UIL Advisory Committee and as the founding Chair of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials (TTAO) organization. He is in the fifth year of a six-year term on the Board of Directors for the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA), currently serving as Past-President. A highly respected UIL One Act Play judge and clinician, Travis works with 80–90 high school productions annually and has been invited to judge the UIL state contest seven times. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2018 TTAO Service Award, Humble ISD Teacher of the Year, the City of Houston Education Excellency Award, and the 2022 Fine Arts Administrator of the Year award from Texas Thespians.

Beyond education, Travis has appeared in numerous theatre productions in Houston with groups such as Scriptwriters Houston, Unhinged Productions, Mildred's Umbrella, and The Country Playhouse.  In his personal life, Travis enjoys traveling with his husband, Douglas, and caring for their two beloved pets, Cairo and Stubbs. A passionate treasure hunter, he also loves exploring local thrift and antique shops for unique and one-of-a-kind finds.

Contact Travis:  [email protected]