Nikki Cox

My aspiration in life is to be the best person I can be, conscious of my surroundings, their history, and how to improve them. A few years ago, a friend and I were at a normal grocery store in the check out line. The cashier was obviously having a difficult day, and not coping with it well. When it became our turn, my friend told the cashier a series of bad jokes, which inevitably left the cashier giggling and smiling. When we walked away, my friend told me it was his goal to make the unhappy people around him smile. After that, I realized how much seemingly small acts could really go far. I’d like to lie on my deathbed knowing that I had a positive impact on those around me. The best way to accomplish this is through education. Through learning about our current surroundings, be it political, climate based, etc., is the only way solutions will come about. Education is also the means to offer support, understanding, and promote healthy relationships between cultures and subcultures. This aspiration helped me form goals, long term and short term. My short-term goal is to study history, as to better holistically understand our surroundings. After obtaining a BA, I would like to directly continue into a graduate program. From there, teaching is calling my name. I’m quite passionate about learning and assisting others in the process. I’ve been a skating coach for 10 years and have loved every minute of it. Therefore, I believe my passion for teaching skating will translate well to teaching students.