In 2015–16, Hicks started her season with a bronze medal at the CS Nebelhorn Trophy. Competing on the GP series, she placed 6th at the 2015 Cup of China before winning her first GP medal, silver, at the 2015 NHK Trophy. She finished 9th at the 2016 U.S. Championships. Having decided to change coaches in March 2016, she spent several months working with the 87-year-old John Nicks, from whom she had previously taken lessons, before joining Todd Sand in early August.