My Background
Nichole is a researcher at a national foundation, dedicated to strengthening the connection between higher education and opportunity–especially for those who face the greatest barriers. She has also been an adjunct professor and has worked in an immigrant and refugee legal services organization, educating immigrants about their legal rights. In addition, she is the mother of two daughters. The opportunity to support Afghan Scouts Durham is highly aligned with her personal and professional commitment to opportunity via education, welcoming immigrants, and empowering young women.
Nichole became connected to supporting Afghan immigrants and refugees, in particular, beginning in 2021 as she and a group of volunteers worked to try to bring Afghans to safety after the fall of the Taliban. This began as an effort to support Afghan interpreters that had worked with U.S. forces, but expanded to support anyone who was in particular danger of being targeted by the Taliban. Nichole and her family originally came to know some of the scouts when she and her family volunteered to host them in their home, but after circumstances made that role impossible were able to connect the girls to Kevin and his wife and to a school in the Durham area.
Nichole graduated from Georgetown University (BS, MA) and the University of Colorado- Boulder (MA, PhD).