Civil Municipal Magazine - Dec 2023

314 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 We want every kid to walk across the graduation stage and not have that be the culmination, but really just the bridge into their next step.” Community Integration For Dr. Nichols, living in the district he serves allows him to connect with families and gain authentic insights. “In order to lead, for me personally, I have to be in the heart of the community. I need to be able to live, work, and serve here, and that’s really what I do. I don’t mind answering a question at the grocery store, at the Mexican restaurant or at a carnival, or whatever the case may be,” he portrays. By attending and participating in community activities, and engaging in real conversations, Dr. Nichols believes the district builds trust and forges stronger relationships. “We listen and we do things about it, but it comes from being in the community and serving the community in that authentic way,” he conveys. Pathways and Partnerships New Kent County Public Schools exemplifies Brian Nichols