Nicola “Nikki” Smith-Kea, PhD, ‘20 (GSLC, PhD) has been hired as Senior Project Manager to manage a $1.2 million grant award through the U.S. Department of Justice for the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program. Smith-Kea will lead the implementation of a comprehensive hate crime prevention program, which will include law enforcement training, enhanced community outreach programs, and the procurement of new, state-of-the-art surveillance equipment.
Smith-Kea has extensive national experience working with a diverse cross-section of law enforcement agencies. She has deep knowledge and expertise at the intersection of law enforcement, mental health, substance use disorders, and homelessness, helping jurisdictions improve their responses to people in crises. She has also focused on recruitment, retention and inclusion of women in law enforcement, with expertise in female professional advancement to executive leadership positions in law enforcement.
