Nikki Paolicelli
What’s your current position?
Currently, I am the Student Activities Coordinator at Penn State Scranton where I plan and organize campus events for our students. Additionally, I oversee all of our 20+ active clubs and organizations where I assist our student leaders in hosting their own club events, create student leadership trainings, and provide students with volunteer opportunities in our local community. I have been in this role since September 2021 but was a student at PSU Scranton from 2016-2019 where I majored in Business Management & Marketing, interned in the student services & engagement office which is where my current office is located, and was involved in extra-circular activities that went hand in hand with what the activities I plan now.
What would you say most motivates you to do the work you do? What are you most passionate about?
I am super passionate about helping others and sharing my knowledge with current students in ways that I hope can help them grow and learn throughout their college experience and I am grateful that my role on campus really allows me the opportunity to do that. Whether it be just having mindless games or activities planned for them to destress in between classes, or offering trainings and workshops, the full circle moment for me is seeing them have that "ahh ha" moment when they fully encompass their leadership abilities and realize their goals are achievable in ways they might not have thought they could be. Any guiding light or resource I can give along their journey is what motivates me to show up every day and support them all in their endeavors.
Where did you grow up and did you go to a college/trade school after high school?
Originally, my family is from Staten Island & Brooklyn NY. We moved to NEPA when I was in 4th grade and my brother, Anthony, and I attended Wallenpaupack Area High School. I graduated from there in 2016 and started at Penn State Scranton as a student in the fall of 2016. It was definitely different living in Pennsylvania, but over time I began to enjoy it more as I met more friends and colleagues. Moving to the Scranton area and attending Penn State Scranton was the best decision I could have ever made for myself. It opened up so many doors filled with opportunities as well as gave me the long-lasting personal & professional relationships I am so lucky to have today.
Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are?
My parents are definitely my biggest influencers. They are the hardest-working people I know and continue to motivate me to do my best. We didn't come from much, but they showed us how hard work, dedication, patience, and leading with kindness can go a long way; nothing ever worth having comes easy. They also always make sure I remember to use my voice and to stand up for things I am passionate about, and this has really helped me build confidence in myself as a leader throughout my professional development. I am very lucky to come from a family who support each other and continue to lift each other up. I can easily say I would not have achieved half the things I did if it wasn't for them cheering me on, so for that, I will always be grateful for their love and encouragement to keep me going.
How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna? Describe your experience.
I first heard about Leadership Lackawanna through my time as a student at Penn State Scranton. There were quite a few different staff members that went through the Core Program during my time. I was then hand-picked by my campus to go through the program myself in 2022. I loved my experience in Leadership Lackawanna! I feel the program really opened my eyes to who is really serving my community with me and it opened up a door for networking that I don't think ever would have been presented to me as an opportunity for professional development if it wasn't for being selected by my colleagues. My group and I helped the Children's Advocacy Center of NEPA where we renovated their entire waiting room where children in need spend a lot of their time while waiting for interviews, examinations, child protective services, etc. Learning about the care and services provided to these children and hearing some of what they have to go through definitely had an emotional impact, but it was really an honor to have been a part of this project and I loved getting to work with my teammates on such a creative and impactful community project.
Let’s get personal: tell us your favorite movie, favorite book, favorite TV show, favorite NEPA landmark, or favorite local restaurant!
I love cooking, especially for my family and friends! I am obsessed with anything and everything by Gordon Ramsay! There isn't a show of his that I haven't seen! Rikasa in Pittston has become one of my new favorite restaurants! The views from their rooftop bar & dining room are incredible and I also love that each floor of their restaurant has a different menu to choose from. Definitely makes for a great night out while trying different menu items! Also, if you didn't get a chance to check out the train rides to Jim Thorpe from the new Pittston train station, highly recommend this day trip experience for anyone looking to do something different and fun!
