Empowered by You
When Adrianna Nichols called Chaminade University from her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she wasn’t expecting the conversation that would change her life. She had planned to attend a university in Florida, but the cost made that dream impossible. Looking for another option, she called Chaminade to ask a simple question: Was it too late to apply?
“They answered on the first ring,” Adrianna recalled. “Right away, I felt welcomed.”
That moment marked the beginning of a journey made possible through a Presidential Scholarship—and shaped by a community that believed in her potential.
At Chaminade, Adrianna majored in Business Administration with a minor in Sport and Event Management. She immersed herself in campus life, serving for four years as the Men’s Basketball Undergraduate Manager, supporting athletic operations, and helping plan Commencement ceremonies.
Along the way, faculty and staff mentors encouraged her to take on new responsibilities and discover her strengths as a leader.
“The smaller environment allowed me to build meaningful relationships, receive mentorship, and have opportunities to get involved that may not have been possible elsewhere,” she said.
Adrianna graduated in May 2026 and today is the Stadium Operations Intern at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium, where she helps coordinate athletic competitions and large-scale events. She has also worked with NBC Universal during Minnesota Lynx broadcasts and supported fan experiences with the nationally touring Cosmic Baseball team.
Her long-term goal is to become a collegiate athletic director or professional sports executive, leading with the belief that student-athletes are people first.
“I want to create environments where athletes feel supported as students and as individuals—not just competitors.”
Beyond her professional aspirations, Adrianna continues to serve in leadership roles at her home church in Minnesota, mentoring children, teens, and young adults while sharing her faith.
Looking back, Adrianna says the opportunities she found at Chaminade began with people who believed in her.
That belief started with a scholarship.
And it continues today through donors whose generosity empowers students to discover their purpose, lead with compassion, and make a difference wherever life takes them. Donations to Chaminadeʻs Fund, means the University is able to allocate unrestricted funds to vital needs that support and empower students. Unrestricted funds are vital to Chaminade’s growth and students’ success. Like Adrianna, today’s students, at different stages in their educational journeys, are grateful for Chaminade’s belief in their abilities and for the generosity of donors.
Every gift to the Chaminade Fund helps create stories. Click here to support the journey of students like Adrianna.