Features Overview

Nicki’s leadership and advocacy have been recognized through national coverage, professional honors, and community-based nominations. These awards, nominations, and milestones reflect her impact as a trailblazing attorney, an openly autistic public official, and a dedicated advocate for disability rights, inclusive education, and transparent public leadership. Access the links below by hovering over each entry.

• Ongoing — Recognized as a Trailblazer in Disability Rights & Inclusive Education

  Nicki is consistently recognized through professional profiles and national coverage as a trailblazing attorney and advocate for disability rights, inclusive education, and transparent public leadership.

  🔗 https://www.engagingstudents.com/team/nicki-vander-meulen/

• 2025 — Ed Erwin Advocacy Award Nominee

  Nicki Vander Meulen was highlighted as one of seven nominees for the 2025 Ed Erwin Advocacy Award, recognizing strong advocacy work.

  🔗 https://www.facebook.com/movinoutWI/posts/todays-ed-erwin-advocacy-award-nominee-highlight-is-nicki-vander-meulennicki-is-/1250795480426367/

• 2024 — Athena Award Nominee

  Nicki Vander Meulen was celebrated as a 2024 Athena Award nominee, recognizing her leadership as a trailblazing attorney.
  🔗 https://m.facebook.com/TheBusinessForumMadison/photos/-celebrating-2024-athena-award-nominee-nicole-vander-meulen-a-trailblazing-attor/748526200737807/

• 2020 — Featured Nationally in Education Week

  Nicki Vander Meulen was profiled by Education Week, a leading national education publication, highlighting her leadership as an openly autistic school board member and her advocacy for inclusive education and disability rights.
  🔗 https://www.edweek.org/leadership/autistic-school-board-member-pushes-for-inclusion-understanding/2020/02/

• 2020 — Endorsed by the Teaching Assistants’ Association (TAA), UW–Madison

  Nicki received the endorsement of the Teaching Assistants’ Association during her campaign for Wisconsin Assembly District 76, recognizing her leadership on education, labor rights, racial justice, and disability justice.
  🔗 https://taa-madison.org/taa-endorses-nicki-vander-meulen-in-race-for-wisconsin-assembly-district-76/

• 2020 — Re-elected to the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education

  Nicki was re-elected to continue serving on the Madison Metropolitan School Board, reflecting community trust in her leadership and advocacy for public education.
  🔗 https://ballotpedia.org/Nicki_Vander_Meulen

• 2017 — Elected to the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education

  Nicki was first elected to the MMSD Board of Education, becoming the first openly autistic school board member in the United States, a nationally recognized milestone in disability representation in public office.
  🔗 https://ballotpedia.org/Nicki_Vander_Meulen