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Nicole Kates

Throughout Niki’s time at Willamette University, she focused on academic and advocacy work relating to incarcerated populations and resettled refugees. Her favorite experiences during college were collaborating with incarcerated persons to implement a robust reentry program at Oregon State Penitentiary, and helping to launch a mentorship and tutoring program for refugee youth in Salem, Oregon. Niki graduated this spring with honors from Phi Beta Kappa and hopes to continue her work in prison reform through law and policy. Niki prefers to spend as much time in the water as possible, swimming and surfing.