NICOLE
NUKPESE
ASSOCIATE BASIC
NEEDS MANAGER & CALFRESH MANAGER
Nicole serves as the associate basic needs manager where she provides support to the UCLA Basic Needs Committee in the execution of its programs and initiatives on the campus. She also oversees the CPO Food Closet, the first food pantry in the UC and California university system, and works with the Basic Needs Operations Manager to supervise the basic needs coordinators who work to efficiently keep the CPO Food Closet stocked and to survey the changing needs of students who face food insecurity. In addition, she oversees the execution of the CPO Food Box Programs, CPO Food Card Program, CPO Bruin Meals Program, and CPO Food Grocery Bundle program. Nicole also is a member of the system-wide UC Basic Needs Committee, which works to advocate on behalf of all students in the UC System on issues regarding Basic Needs and Food Security.
Nicole, originally from Los Angeles, Calif. studied Sociology and minored in African American Studies at UCLA. After graduation, Nicole became a college advisor with the Destination College Advising Corps at UCLA.
As a student, Nicole was a prominent student leader. She served in the CPO as a management fellow and operations assistant. She was also the campaign manager for Beyond the Score, a student organization that worked to eliminate standardized testing as a requirement for college admission. Her group successfully advocated for the UC system to become test-optional in order to create more equitable admissions processes for underserved communities. Nicole was also a member of the Olive Tree Initiative at UCLA where she learned about the Middle East conflict by traveling to the region and meeting government leaders and influential NGOs. In addition, Nicole is a Gates Millennium Scholar.