Nikkia Gumbs

Nikkia, a native Floridian with Caribbean heritage, has always had a passion for coaching learners through their educational journeys. She approaches her work with “eternal optimism” and believes that if an individual has passion and a positive mindset, she will do whatever she can to help them achieve their goal.

Her career in post-secondary education has been multifaceted. Nikkia developed orientation and peer mentor programs, taught, and designed first-year experience courses and most recently worked as an advocate leading the disability service department at a local open-access institution.

As an avid learner herself, Nikkia is no stranger to the classroom. She joins the Merit team after earning her B.A. in English and Communication and an M.H.R. in Human Resource Management with a concentration in Training and Development from Rollins College. In addition, Nikkia earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida in which she completed original research on the intersection of disability and the Florida open-access college system. She is also returning to school to study Instructional and Educational Design.

In her spare time Nikkia enjoys participating in local 5K races, baking, and spending time with friends and family.