Dr. Nishika Edwards is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. She has committed herself to giving back to her hometown, an underserved area, through education, social work, ministry, and most importantly through her leadership. As a transformational leader, she is committed to maximizing individual student performance, impacting the lives of learners, being a lifelong educator, and instilling a sense of pride among all. She is passionate about inspiring others and building a sense of confidence in academia and enabling youth to grow and succeed as learners. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, two Master’s in Education, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a Specialization in Higher Specialization. As the Educational Research Program Coordinator for the NIH R25 grant, she collaborates with undergraduate research students and investigators to gather information, develop educational plans and support professional development activities for the students participating in the program.