Nikki L. Niswonger

Nikki Niswonger’s understanding of the importance of building a strong community began in Van Wert, Ohio. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington College, Nikki moved to Cincinnati, where she worked as a financial counselor and office manager for Gateway Federal Bank. As a mother of three, Nikki became deeply involved in her children’s education and gained a strong understanding of the importance of parental involvement in schools. This love of community and belief that all children should have a quality education was carried with her to her new home in Greeneville, Tennessee.

In fact, among her first experiences in the community, she was a substitute teacher in the Greeneville City Schools and active in the Greeneville Schools in Action, serving as secretary and president at Tusculum View Elementary; vice president and president at the Middle School; and president of the GSIA Council.

Among her other educational efforts, Nikki created a Birthday Book Club program at Tusculum View, providing an opportunity to acquire new books for the library. Through the Wonder of Words program, she volunteered as mentor for at-risk children K-3rd grade to help improve basic reading and math skills. She served as a board member of Community of Promise, helping students to stay on track to reach their educational goals, and as secretary, fundraising co-chair, school assistance co-chair and president of Youth Builders, Inc. She was chairperson of Success by Six Task Force, securing a grant to provide reading enhancement for preschoolers. Nikki is a founding member, and served as trustee, of the Greeneville City School Foundation.

In addition to her educational efforts, Nikki served, for eight years, on the United Way allocation committee, as an Arts United advisory board member, and as membership drive committee member for Community Concerts. She has been a Parenting Fair planning committee member for 6 years. She is a board member for Frontier Health, serving on both the finance and policy committees. She is a founding member of the East Tennessee Women’s Fund.

Her love of the community’s history is evident in her work as a board member of the Nathanael Greene Museum, serving as co-chair for the annual Historic Homes Tour. She has also served as a board member and president of the Heritage Trust.

Nikki has served as a member of the board of directors of the Niswonger Foundation since its inception in 2001. She serves as a member of the Niswonger Scholars Selection Committee and is secretary of the board. She is a past member of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center’s Governing Board.