Nicole Herrera is a passionate educator, social worker, and systems-change leader committed to creating equitable, relationship-centered schools where every student can thrive. With a background in mental health and student engagement, she brings a unique perspective to education—bridging social work and systems design to strengthen supports for both students and the adults who serve them.
Before joining Center for High School Success, Nicole served as the Dropout Prevention Specialist at the Colorado Department of Education. In that role, she led statewide implementation of the Ninth Grade Success Grant, supporting schools and districts in aligning attendance, behavior, and course performance systems to keep students on track to graduate. Her earlier experience includes coordinating districtwide mental health initiatives and restorative practices work in Colorado Springs School District 11.
Outside of work, Nicole loves being outdoors and exploring new places, seeing live music, and hosting friends and family. She’s passionate about self-growth and has been deeply engaged in exploring her ancestry and the process of decolonizing and re-indigenizing—work that continues to shape how she understands connection, healing, and belonging.