Published: Nov. 26, 2018

Boettcher scholar Nikki van den Heever was one of two Rhodes Scholarship finalist this year. She is just about to finish her master’s degree in civil systems engineering with an emphasis in engineering for developing communities. She’s planning to pursue a masters and PhD in international development studies. Nikki says she’s incredibly passionate about ensuring access, physically, politically and socially, to water and public health services within low-income areas. She’s sought several opportunities in this field including: working at the World Bank as a climate change specialist for 4 projects ongoing in Northern Africa; working as the president of Engineers Without Borders at CU and the project manager of the Rwanda program for 2 years; working for a consulting firm that specializes in monitoring and evaluation of development projects in Kenya and Ethiopia; and conducting research at CU on how investment decisions can be better informed by data so as to ensure they adequately consider the triple bottom line. Nikki’s a Colorado native and loves to hike and camp with her family and play the ukulele.