Ariana Nieves, M.S.
Ariana Nieves, M.S. is a University Development Counselor in Northern Indiana for Grand Canyon University where she helps underrepresented and non-traditional learners take the next step in their educational and professional journeys. Since beginning her role in August 2025, Ariana has worked with full-time adult students who never thought they could return to school, guiding them through enrollment in online programs, financial aid and scholarship processes, and integrating education into their busy lives. She partners closely with superintendents, principals, and hospital nursing education departments to support staff and teams in achieving their academic goals, helping them take what can feel like a daunting step back into education. Ariana has been working in higher education since 2022 and previously served in freshman admissions at the University of Indianapolis, primarily recruiting in the Chicago area and key Indianapolis feeder schools. As a first-generation college student, she is deeply committed to advocating for students and families navigating higher education. Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and a Master of Science in Leadership from the University of Indianapolis—milestones that not only reflect her dedication but also empower her to collaborate effectively with the leaders and organizations she serves. Known for her integrity, intellectual curiosity, and empathetic approach, Ariana thrives on helping adults pursue degrees, certificates, or other credentials that can transform their lives. She finds profound meaning in seeing her students succeed, whether they are completing a degree they had once left unfinished, earning a certificate, or planning for the next chapter in their careers. Ariana’s work is guided by a genuine passion for empowering others, and she continually seeks innovative ways to make education accessible, manageable, and life-changing for those she serves.
• Advocacy Webinar Series
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• University of Indianapolis - MS, Strategic Leadership and Design
• University of Indianapolis - BS, Business Administration and Management, General
• Ivy Tech Community College - AS, Business Administration and Management, General
• Indianapolis Zoo
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my success comes from how much I truly care about helping people take the next step in their lives. I work in higher education, and I’m genuinely changing people’s lives. I work with adults who never thought they could go back to school, and they tell me, “Thank you—I wouldn’t have done this without you. I didn’t even know where to start.” Now they’re in a position to change their future.
Because of that, I stay consistent, I follow up, and I meet people where they’re at. That’s helped me build strong relationships and create real impact in my work and in my life.
I’m very big on connection, and I truly care about people. Sometimes I even put others before myself, which I know isn’t always healthy, but it speaks to how much I value the people around me. That mindset has helped me create meaningful impact and opportunities throughout my career and my life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Honestly, the best career advice I can give is that every “no” leads to a “yes.” I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true. I was just talking about this with a colleague the other day.
Early in my career in higher education, I was nervous and afraid of hearing “no”—whether it was being told I couldn’t do something or just facing rejection in general. But over time, I realized that every “no” led to a “yes” in some way. It either redirected me, helped me grow, or opened a different door.
That’s something I truly believe in, and it’s the best advice I can give.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to trust themselves and not wait until they feel 100% ready to go after opportunities. Higher ed is all about people—your ability to connect, listen, and truly care about what matters.
Be confident in your voice, even if you don’t feel confident yet. There have been times when I wasn’t completely sure, but showing up with confidence made all the difference.
I would also say stay organized, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to take initiative. You don’t have to wait until you’re fully ready—you have to take risks and go for it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Honestly, one of the biggest challenges in higher ed right now is declining enrollment—the enrollment cliff. A lot of people today question whether college is worth it, especially with rising tuition, student debt, and overall skepticism about the value of a degree. That can definitely impact my role.
Earlier in my career, I worked mainly with high school students, and it was more challenging because many weren’t interested in going to college. Now, working more with adult learners, I see a different perspective, but the hesitation is still there.
Another challenge is technology and AI. It’s reshaping everything—sometimes in a helpful way, but also in a way that makes people question the need for formal education. Some people think, “Why go to school if I can just use AI?”
At the same time, there are a lot of opportunities. The biggest one I see is the growth of adult and non-traditional students. Many are at a point in their lives where they want to advance, change careers, or plan for their future, and they need guidance on how to get there.
There’s also a strong demand for career-focused programs, and online education continues to grow, which makes education more accessible than ever. That really supports the work I do.
And beyond all of that, relationships are everything in this field. I’m very relationship-driven, and I love connecting with people. You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you’re not building connections and putting yourself out there, it’s going to be harder to succeed.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The interviewee described their main area of expertise as working with underrepresented students to help them return to school, including enrolling them online, managing financial aid, and working with educational institutions and hospitals. They highlighted earning their master's degree in leadership as a significant personal achievement that has helped in their current role working with leaders. The interviewee also shared their bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Indianapolis.