Nicky Singer
Division I International Vice President
Nicky Singer, International Vice President for Division I, plans a career as a teacher. She is majoring in English and Education at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, and will seek a bachelor's degree in English Secondary Education after transfer. She hopes to attend the College of New Jersey.
Her plans call for a minor in Theater Arts. Nicky wants to teach high school English courses and direct the high school theater department. "Eventually, I would like to obtain my master's in Education and return to community colleges to teach the future teachers of America," she said.
Nicky transferred to Raritan Valley from a four-year institution, initially because the community college schedule and tuition costs better met her needs. She soon found added benefits. "I am receiving a better education at the community college level than at my former four-year university. The smaller class sizes and smaller campus helped me to not feel just like a number in the professor or teaching assistant's grade book. I felt like I was not just identified by my student identification number, but in essence had a name, a background, strengths and weaknesses, and of course, needs."
Membership in Phi Theta Kappa was one of Nicky's primary goals when she entered community college. "I believed that Phi Theta Kappa would grant me the opportunity to express myself and grow as an individual. Membership would give me the option of having the fulfilling college experience that I had so often dreamed about - exciting academic opportunities, leadership growth and development, the ability to serve others and volunteer, and the companionship of true friendship."
Nicky has served as Vice President of Fundraising and Executive Vice President of her chapter, and as New Jersey State President for the Middle States Region. She was Student Government Association President and Secretary, and has held office in Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society and in the Education Club. Nicky has been a Student Chair and Team Captain for Relay For Life, a Student Ambassador and was Co-Chair of College Diversity Conference.
She has received Distinguished Chapter Officer and Distinguished Regional Officer Hallmark Awards, has been named a Middle States Distinguished Chapter Officer, was chosen for the Middle States Regional Hall of Honor and received the President's Volunteer Service Award.
As a very involved community college student, Nicky would like to see more opportunities for student engagement. She also hopes that predicted enrollment increases won't change the community college culture too radically - especially the small classrooms and passionate teachers who care about the students.
A single mother of a 2-year old son, Nicky still pursues involvement in theater, marching band, camping, and playing the euphonium (similar to a tuba). She is a Sunday School teacher and a substitute teacher, and also works at her college's Student Help Desk.
