Nicole A. Graves

Nicole A. Graves is an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership at South Dakota State University. She has 22 years of teaching experience. She began her career as a middle and high school teacher of family and consumer sciences.  After completing her master’s degree in child and family studies, she taught a wide variety of courses at SDState including Human Development Family Studies, Consumer Affairs, Early Childhood Education, and general college introduction courses. 

Graves completed her doctorate in human development with an emphasis in gerontology from North Dakota State University.  She spent eight years with SDState University Center primarily teaching Human Development Family Studies courses and serving as the academic advisor for students majoring in Consumer Affairs, Early Childhood Education, and Human Development Family Studies. 

In 2016, she accepted a position back on the main campus of SDState as the family and consumer sciences teacher educator.  She enjoys the opportunity to recruit students, guide the next generation of FCS teachers and complete research related to teaching strategies and professional development.

In 2019, Graves was awarded the Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year Award from the South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education, also from the Family and Consumer Science Division of the same association.

Ph.D. in Human Development with emphasis in Gerontology, North Dakota State University, 2011
M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with emphasis in Child and Family Studies, South Dakota State University, 2002
B.S in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, South Dakota State University, 1997