On Thursday, April 30th 2020, the Rotary Club of Cleveland presented Nicole Merlino with the Awards of Excellence in Marketing. Nicole attended Grand Valley High School. At Cleveland State University, she earned a double major in Promotional Communications and Marketing.

Nicole worked as a Student Administrative Assistant at the Monte Ahuja College of Business' Dean's office and in the Student Services office for two years. Nicole wrote articles and photographed several events at the College of Business including an overview of the College's 2018 Business Internship and Co-op Expo and the 2018 Sherwin-Williams Day that the College co-hosted with the Office of Career Development and Exploration.

She is an Ahuja scholar and served on the Campus Activities Board during her freshman and sophomore years. Nicole also started boxing through the Pink Gloves Boxing (PGB) program and enjoyed it so much that she became an instructor. Even though she is no longer participating in PGB, she still loves to box at Title Boxing.

Nicole hosts a podcast (Little Talks with Big Nikki) and is a vlogger on YouTube as well.

In Summer of 2019, Nicole held a marketing internship for a startup media and marketing agency in Cleveland. She currently works in the Promotions Department at iHeartMedia and as a freelance photographer and videographer. Upon graduation, Nicole plans to continue to be a freelance writer, photographer and videographer.

Learn more about the 52nd Annual Rotary Awards of Excellence here.