12/04/2025
SEED got a special shoutout on Longwood University’s official page, and we couldn’t be prouder! 💙
Nicole “Nikki” Booher ’26, shared her journey as she found her place at Longwood, discovered her passion for business and creativity, and brought her ideas to life right here at the SEED Innovation Hub.
From switching majors to building a convertible tote-to-apron prototype with support from our team, Nikki embodies what SEED is all about: exploring passions, solving real problems, and creating something meaningful.
We are honored to be part of her Longwood story. 🌱✨
The post is linked below to learn more about Nikki Booher’s journey at Longwood University! 🔗
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HRoc37Xzg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
When I first toured Longwood, I didn’t know what to expect. But from the moment I stepped on campus, something just felt right. The tour guide was friendly, people around campus seemed to genuinely know and care about each other and the entire visit had this warm, welcoming vibe. I came home and submitted my application that night. That was it—I knew this was where I was supposed to be.
I started in biology on the pre-med track, but I quickly realized science wasn’t how my brain was wired. After attending a porch party put on by the College of Business and Economics, I felt so supported and seen by the college’s faculty that I switched my major to business administration with a concentration in marketing and added a minor in entrepreneurship. I haven’t looked back since.
The decision to change my major gave me the freedom to combine my creativity with real-world problem-solving. I’ve always loved sewing and crafting, and thanks to my entrepreneurship courses, I’m now working on a product prototype at the SEED Innovation Hub: a convertible tote bag that transforms into an apron for crafters and creators. Working on that prototype at the Hub, with the help of Jacob Dolence (director of educational innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems; honors scholar) and Evan Jones (director of SEED Innovation Hub), has been so unique and something I didn’t expect to gain from my Longwood experience. I never imagined I’d get to blend something I love doing with what I’m learning in class—but that’s the kind of support and opportunity I’ve found at Longwood.
I’ve also gotten involved in as many ways as I can. I’m a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha, vice president of programming for the College Panhellenic Council (CPC), event coordinator for the Senior Class Council and a member of Delta Sigma Pi, a business honor fraternity. Every one of those experiences has helped me grow in different ways—learning how to plan, lead, communicate and connect.
Longwood is rich in history and tradition, and we pride ourselves on being a close-knit community that connects beyond surface-level relationships or a cross-campus wave. One of my favorite Longwood memories was serving as a spirit leader for Oktoberfest. We got to dress up, dance in front of everyone and just have fun as a community while representing a place we care about. That opportunity felt like such a celebration of Longwood’s energy and spirit.
Being involved has also given me the chance to meet people from all walks of life. I’ve learned so much from classmates, faculty, staff and mentors. People here care deeply, not just about your academics but about you as a person. Senior Class Advisors Julie Wiley Ramsey ’93 (director of fraternity and sorority life) and Nicole Wright Perkins ’05 (senior director of alumni engagement), and College of Business and Economics staff like David Zirkle (executive director of CBE student success), Patti Carey ’82 (executive director of the McGaughy Internship and Professional Development Center), Megan Ames ‘23 (director of internships, outreach and MBA support) and Travis Wright ’11, M.S. ’14 (assistant director of CBE undergraduate student success)—they’ve all been in my corner, pushing me to grow and reminding me that I’m capable of more than I imagined.
Longwood’s not just a campus—it’s a community that gives back. It’s the kind of place where you always have someone to wave to, where everyone holds the door open and where people want to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s shaped who I am, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Nicole “Nikki” Booher ‘26, business administration
More 👉 go.longwood.edu/HoL
