Nicki Dalessio

Background

About Nicki Dalessio

Growing up, I was always drawn to the power of connection—whether through storytelling, mentorship, or shared experiences that bridge the gap between the familiar and the unknown. As a teenager, I found that connection in the arts, through theater and music. At UNC Wilmington, I found it in serving my community, leading campus tours as a Student Ambassador and mentoring first-year students as a Resident Assistant. After graduation, I discovered a new kind of connection in Madrid, Spain, where I spent two years as an English Language and Culture Assistant. Immersing myself in a different culture, I learned more about myself and the world than I ever could in a classroom. That transformative experience reinforced my passion for relationship-building and student engagement, shaping the career path I am on today. Currently, I lead a team of incredible student marketers at UNC Campus Recreation, where I focus on fostering engagement through strategic outreach, digital content, and alumni relations. Every day, I build relationships—with my students, our audience, and my colleagues—because I believe that genuine connection is the foundation of impactful work. I bring a relationship-centered approach to my professional work, grounded in the idea that we’re all just humans trying to figure it out. When trust, creativity, and collaboration come first, the work is not only more meaningful but also more effective. That’s the philosophy that drives me, and I’m always eager to connect with others who share that vision. When I'm not on campus working on our content and engagement strategy or filming TikToks with my students, you can find me crocheting, traveling, or buying tickets to whichever Broadway musical is coming to my city on tour.