Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy/Community Development from the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of the Western Cape (UWC).

Nikki’s career has been deeply rooted in community development, social justice, and higher education, with a strong focus on integrating community engagement into academic practice. By qualification, they are an Occupational Therapist with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy/Community Development from the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of the Western Cape (UWC). They have also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Learning at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 in 2024, a journey that aligns with their passion for advancing sustainable and socially responsive practices in higher education.

Nikki’s professional journey spans roles as a Lecturer in Community Development at the Occupational Therapy Department of the UWC and as the Coordinator for Community-Centred Programmes at the Centre for Social Development (CSD) at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网. In these roles, they championed initiatives in early childhood development (ECD), literacy development, food security, and community-based education—always advocating for socially responsive and culturally sensitive practices that empower marginalized communities.

As a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity in South Africa (https://www.atlanticfellows.org/), Nikki continues to advocate for health equity and social justice with a focus on educational transformation. Their teaching philosophy integrates experiential learning, critical reflection, and active collaboration with community partners, fostering meaningful engagement between the university and broader society.

“I am passionate about contributing to the transformation of higher education through community engagement and look forward to expanding this impact in my role as a Service Learning Coordinator at RUCE”.