Dr. Nicole Piedra is an accomplished educator and student success advocate with extensive experience supporting learners across K-16+ settings. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, where her dissertation explored the belonging experiences of Latine students. Nicole earned her B.A. in International Relations from American University and her M.S. in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Prior to Avenues, Nicole served as the Associate Director of Career Development and Student Engagement at Pitzer College, where she was honored as the class guest for the Class of 2024 commencement and the invited speaker for the First-Generation Graduation ceremony. Her work at Pitzer included designing innovative career development programs, fostering equity-focused initiatives, and mentoring students navigating transitions in their academic and professional journeys.

Nicole’s prior roles include positions in college admissions at Duke University and in college counseling and student success/retention with Thrive Scholars and Achievement First. As a formerly low-income, first-generation college student herself, Nicole is deeply committed to advancing equity and creating inclusive communities of support that prioritize student well-being and success.