Hello and Welcome!
My name is Nia (Knee-ah) Brice, and I’m excited to welcome you to the Husky Leadership Certificate section of my undergraduate portfolio.
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To begin, I’d like to share the core values that guide the decisions I make both as a leader and an individual: care, inquisitiveness, family, youthfulness, and resilience.
Core Values
Care
By providing emotional and physical support, we uplift the important people in our lives and strengthen our communities. To me, care is a way to show commitment to our shared success and to the well‑being of everyone. Although care is often overlooked and under‑acknowledged, I see it as a powerful expression of dedication to others. Care can also be an act of defiance temporarily bridging the gaps created by failing systems while we continue working toward long‑term change. In leadership, care is essential as individuals’ workplace experiences impact their personal lives. It is essential for leaders to cultivate a caring environment where every team member’s emotional and physical safety is ensured. ​​​
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Inquisitiveness
In my mind, the world stops moving when we stop asking questions. No matter how simple they may seem, questions are essential. I truly love learning, and this value shows up in every part of my life - this is why I chose to complete an additional year of undergraduate study to earn a dual degree in Biology and Medical Anthropology & Global Health. Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology was not something I planned during my first or even second year at the University of Washington and was a decision that grew directly out of my curiosity and willingness to keep exploring new questions. I see inquisitiveness as essential to leadership and changemaking in particular because it is through continued questioning, that we push towards a more just and equitable future.​​
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Family
Family includes all the incredible people who have shaped me into the young adult I am today. Through lifelong relationships marked by both highs and lows, we have found solace, joy, and trust in one another. It was with my family that I learned how to build mutual trust which is critical to successful group functioning and something that I try and promote through my leadership approaches. I believe it is essential to acknowledge the profound impact my family has had on my growth as both a person and a leader. I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices they have made, and continue to make, for me.​​
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Youthfulness
Centering silliness and a childlike outlook are something I find deeply important. Youthfulness does not mean rejecting adult responsibilities; instead, it involves approaching them with wonder rather than pure obligation. In my mind, if you aren’t laughing, you aren’t living! I deeply admire those who are able to maintain this spirit of youthfulness even as they navigate the challenges of adulthood.​
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Resilience
I have always valued resilience, but my understanding of it shifted significantly after experiencing the symptoms of a chronic illness. Initially, I viewed resilience the way my dad described it—as being like a “sled dog,” constantly pushing forward and never allowing challenges to slow you down. Over time, I came to see this definition as incomplete. My understanding of resilience is now more holistic. I recognize that taking a break is not a failure, but often an essential part of moving forward. Stepping back, resting, and then returning with renewed strength is a powerful form of resilience in its own right.​​​​​​​
Why I Do What I Do
Many of my “whys” are rooted in my commitment to active engagement within community. This commitment is driven by my desire to be a part of collective liberation and witness change. I feel a deep responsibility to contribute to environments where people can grow, heal, and experience joy together.
Another driving force behind my work is my family and my ancestors. Their sacrifices have allowed me to engage in these many amazing experiences, and they have greatly shaped how I engage with and acknowledge this privilege. My family and ancestors are woven into each of my accomplishments, each adventure I pursue, and each step I take toward a life they imagined possible for me long before I could imagine it myself.
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One of my anthropology professors once said something that has become central to my purpose: “One day, nothing human will be foreign to me.” I carry this idea with me and much of my desire for growth and exploration blossoms from this. In life, I hope to be known as someone who is committed to understanding others, is open to the range of human experiences, and honors the deep connections that bind us all.
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Leadership Identities​
Curious Communicator: While working at Camp Korey the area where I experienced the most growth was in my communication abilities. At camp, I learned to approach communication with curiosity and actively engage with both normative and non‑normative forms of expression. This perspective allowed me to connect more deeply with campers and colleagues, and to better appreciate the diverse ways people communicate their needs, joy, and unique selves.​
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Boundless Researcher: A central element of my Anthropology Honors thesis was intentionally pushing the boundaries of previous research. To do this, I utilized non‑traditional research methodologies and inclusive selection criteria. I believe that the most impactful research embraces individual perspectives and challenges the knowledge previously generated.
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Behind the Scenes Coordinator: Through my role as an Advising & Orientation Student Coordinator, I learned that leadership can be both loud and quiet. In this position, I discovered how vital behind-the-scenes leadership is to programmatic success. I gained a deep appreciation for the leadership “undercover” which includes planning, coordinating, adjusting, and supporting front-facing roles.
Leadership & Future Plans
Following graduation, I am excited to pursue graduate studies in public health, with the possibility of continuing on to medical school or PhD studies in the health sciences. I believe it is important to acknowledge that this path is not fixed but instead flexible and will be greatly shaped by my adventures along the way. A new shift for me has been becoming not just comfortable with this uncertainty but actually genuinely excited by it!
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While my future path may still be unfolding, the commitment remains constant is my passion for working within the autistic community and advancing system‑wide change to address the barriers autistic individuals face in accessing healthcare. My specific interests include care practices and patient resources that support accessible, effective, and patient‑centered care. I am also deeply interested in examining how the structure of the U.S. healthcare system shapes autistic people’s experiences with and access to care. As I enter an emerging field with limited existing research, I hope to act as a changemaker who collaborates with, learns from, and uplifts diverse perspectives. I strongly believe that my leadership skills and my commitment to adaptable, relationship‑driven leadership will be essential to my success in this work.