Nina is a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin, where she has taught for more than a decade. Earlier in her career, she also taught at Southwestern University and Austin Community College. Her work in higher education is grounded in values that closely mirror the Montessori philosophy, including nurturing curiosity and promoting active, student-centered learning. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and an M.S. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Information Science and a B.S. in Mathematics and German from the University of Michigan. 

Outside of the classroom, Nina is deeply invested in nature-based learning. She has been a longtime volunteer with a national outdoor organization, leading nature-based meetups for families with young children, and she is the co-author of 50 Hikes with Kids: Texas.

Nina lives in Georgetown with her husband, their two daughters, and their black lab. They enjoy camping, hiking, and outdoor adventures.