Nikki grew up in Southern California, eating egg salad sandwiches on the beach and standing in center field waiting for the ball to come her way. She graduated from UCLA with a double major in Critical Gender Studies and Sociology and a minor in LGBTQ studies. After college, Nikki spent time exploring the west coast (and herself) by living in Portland, Oregon and Mendocino, California. Due to the strong gravitational forces of close family and beautiful weather, Nikki returned south, where she earned her English credential from SDSU and connected with her dream school—HTHI. Nikki is continually inspired by the marvelous young adults and colleagues that surround her every day. In her free time, Nikki enjoys hiking up the steepest mountain she can find, building things, riding her bike to the farmer’s market, dancing, singing, and spending time with her other half, Jenny.