Education & Training

• B.A. in Communication, Minor in Film , University of Pittsburgh

• M.S. in Secondary English Language Arts & Special Education, Johns Hopkins University

• MFA in Filmmaking, MICA (in progress, expected Spring 2027)

Teaching, Youth Development, Community Work

• 2018- 2019 | International teaching experience in Morocco (Peace Corps) and Ghana (Volunteer English and Drama Teacher)

• 2020- 2022 | English Teacher, Baltimore City Public Schools
  (Middle School: Standard ELA · High School: IB English)

• 2023 -2024 | Film Education — Festival Associate Manager, Community Youth Programming, Sundance Film Festival (2024)
  (Reached 3,000+ high school students through film-based education)

• 2024- 2025 | Director of Resources (Learning Specialist), Idyllwild Arts Academy (2024, California)

Philosophy

• There is no one way to teach. For Nikki, education is about empowering students to recognize the choices they have, giving them the tools to express their own stories, and inspiring them to unashamedly embrace their multidimensional existence—ever becoming, ever changing.

• Read Nikki’s Full Education Philosophy

Looking Ahead

Nikki envisions merging her artistic background and educational expertise to build community arts programs in both Ghana and the United States, creating spaces where youth can engage in artistic expression, education, and cultural exchange.