Nikki Pauls DeSimone is a College Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at NMSU. She has worked in the field of social work for more than 20 years and began her career in academia in 2020. Nikki is licensed at the LMSW level in New Mexico & Kansas. Nikki has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (Baker University) and a Master of Social Work (Washburn University). Nikki has a long field career in adoption – with a specific education focus on trauma and transracial adoption. Working in the states of Kansas and Missouri has allowed Nikki the opportunity to work in and with urban and rural systems - the family court system, public schools, and various social service systems – serving clients in both English and Spanish. Nikki is a passionate advocate for immigrant and disability rights, both in her professional and personal life. She provides professional and community-based CEU presentations and lectures in the areas of ethics, immigration, and adoption. Nikki’s teaching interests include Ethics, Policy, and Communities & Organizations.