Nicki Herdson has spent more than two decades immersed in the great art, theory, and practice of communication. From her work as a writer and editor, to her time teaching undergraduates about the writing process, Nicki understands the complexity of the written word and how best to tailor a message to fit the unique needs of an audience.

She worked as the lead researcher, writer, and editor for Election Administration Reports, a trade publication focused on issues of relevance to election administrators. In this capacity, she conducted in-depth research on a range of topics and crafted articles offering practical advice to individuals working in this niche market. Nicki’s professional communication experience also includes positions in writing, editing, and marketing in the public and private sectors. She started her career working as a speechwriter and public information officer for the Secretary of State of Maryland.  

As a lecturer in rhetorical communication at York College of Pennsylvania, Nicki shared her expertise in research, writing, and editing with undergraduate students. She taught fundamentals of written, verbal, and visual communication and guided students through each part of the writing process, culminating in a substantial research project. In her classes, Nicki challenged students to think critically about a topic while considering how the author, audience, and context impact how a message is crafted. During her time in academia, Nicki also frequently participated in and presented at conferences on composition and published essays on blogs focused on successful teaching strategies.

Nicki earned a bachelor of arts in communication with minors in writing and journalism from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College). She graduated with a master of fine arts in creative writing and publishing from the University of Baltimore.