My Story Vault: Returning Home to MCLA with Kristin Nichols

Kristin Nichols returns to the campus where her life changed, now serving as the inaugural Chief Marketing Officer at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In this conversation with Dr. Dennis Rebelo, Kristin reflects on growing up with an undiagnosed learning difference during the 1990s, when she was repeatedly told she was smart but simply "not trying." Despite her love of writing, storytelling, and communication, those experiences left her questioning her own abilities throughout middle and high school.

Everything began to change after visiting North Adams State College, later renamed MCLA, where Professor Joe Abiware recognized her potential and became a mentor who challenged and encouraged her. His guidance led her to pursue a psychoeducational evaluation that ultimately revealed she had ADHD, giving her an explanation for struggles she had carried for years. That moment reshaped how she viewed herself and reinforced the importance of seeing students as individuals rather than labels.

Today, Kristin leads MCLA's digital strategy, overseeing marketing, communications, search optimization, artificial intelligence initiatives, and student recruitment. She discusses the challenges facing higher education, including changing demographics and the importance of helping students connect their strengths with meaningful educational paths. Kristin also shares how becoming a mother to a son with a rare medical condition has deepened her advocacy for children, education, and identity development. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on the mentors, educators, and personal experiences that continue to shape her work as a connector, advocate, and leader dedicated to helping others realize their potential.

Links:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA):

https://www.mcla.edu/

Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program:

https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

Narrative Research Group:

https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/