About me
Nikki finds students exciting, engaging, and entertaining. She is innovative and inventive - always trying something new in the classroom. Nikki works to develop engaging classroom culture by discovering where students are, where she is, and where they need to go together. With that end goal in mind, Dr. Harken works to create a mutually beneficial learning environment.
She believes that every human has a purpose and finding that purpose is just one of the mysteries of life. Nikki encourages all students to become curious, understand how they learn, and discover their passion. Once they become curious, their purpose and passion can be found and nurtured . . . work is no longer work and we realize, 'it's not how smart you are, but how you are smart.'
Her research interest lies in student exit from higher education. While an abundance of resources are put into FYO programs and retention, the end of a student's experience in higher education is largely unsupported. Her goal is to create programs and resources that ease the transition into living a life of passion and purpose.