Nikki Johnson is a powerhouse...and one of humility, empathy, inclusivity and a true servant heart. I just adore her and while I'm so grateful for and proud of her for graduating with not just one but TWO degrees from Madison College (she crosses our stage on 12/17/2020), I am sure going to miss her in our classroom. Nikki earned an associate degree in Recreation Management and Hospitality Management and is on her way to be "of service to her guests" (her words...because she's beyond amazing!)

Her story is so fun - what led her to Madison College and this hospitality industry was actually a perfect storm of the Disney College program, an anime club and Tommy Bartlett. In her journey she's been able to take classes in Hospitality Law, the History of Classic Rock and several art and acting classes (her dad was a DJ so that rock class was a source of great fun for them!)

Currently serving our community at the Dane County Airport through her work as a Visitor Information Specialist with Destination Madison, Nikki enjoys pairing experiences in our community with each individual guest that asks here "While I'm here where should I eat? Visit? Explore?" She was recently able to stretch her experiences taking over social media for Madison Originals (for a week!) which allowed her to get to know some great nuggets (listen for the Chef Special deal at Short Stack Eatery) and still has many places she hopes to explore (here she comes Yola's Cafe!). Nikki also works on the weekends at a hotel and has spent time as a seasonal park ranger...all in an effort to expand her knowledge and experiences in this cool industry.

Enjoy this special interview! And be sure to follow her adventures on Instagram through "The Tacky Tourist" (she talks about that here too!)