Alumni Spotlight: Carly Nicholson

Carly Nicholson ’17 always dreamed of becoming a meteorologist. As college grew closer, she realized her visual impairment might pose an obstacle to her dream. However, thanks to the support of alumni and faculty at UIndy, she found her confidence and her way to a related career where she could make a difference. 

“I felt really insecure about my disability,” Nicholson recalled. “If I saw something incorrectly, it would impact public safety and I just couldn’t do that.”

Throughout high school, Nicholson underwent several surgeries, missing a lot of school, which left her feeling unprepared to start a college education. After a year at Ivy Tech Community College, her mother recommended that she transfer to a college where she had taken several classes–Indiana Central University (known today as the University of Indianapolis). Nicholson applied and received a transfer scholarship to attend the University of Indianapolis the next semester. 

“At UIndy, I felt accepted for the first time in my life,” Nicholson mentioned.  She received accommodations from the Disability Resources & Build office that allowed her to excel within her classes. She also received mentorship from faculty in the Physics and Earth-Space Sciences department. “UIndy faculty guided me toward a career in science communication and helped me obtain several hands-on experiences.” Those hands-on experiences include:

• Interning with former Mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard, to create a clean energy plan for the state of Indiana. 
• Performing atmospheric science research with Harvard University (based at UIndy). 
• Coordinating the installment of a WeatherSTEM weather station on top of Schwitzer’s Student Center that provides real-time weather data for academic use. The data is also publicly accessible, bringing severe weather preparedness to the southside of Indianapolis where she was born and raised. 

Nicholson now lives in Washington, DC where she serves as the Communications Lead for the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In her role at FEMA headquarters, she educates communities about the importance of flood preparedness and mitigation efforts. 

“Being accepted at UIndy gave me the courage I needed to lead and serve others. I was able to feel comfortable in my own skin thanks to the University of Indianapolis,” she says.

After graduation, Nicholson gifted  $14 a month to UIndy to support student scholarships. “I aspire to inspire momentous change,” Nicholson commented. “I support current students to thank the alumni who supported me.” 

Monthly gifts are the easiest way to support current students at the University of Indianapolis.  When you create a monthly gift starting at $5, you will become a member of the 1400 Circle. Enjoy all the benefits of supporting UIndy with a monthly gift that works for your budget.

UIndy’s WeatherSTEM weather station was made possible by a generous gift from UIndy alumnus Bob Green ’70. Green made this gift in honor and memory of Dr. William Gommel, a favorite professor of Mathematics & Earth-Space Science at the University from 1965 to 1992.