Richmond, Indiana is home to Nicolas Quijano Franco, where he serves as Career Coach and Pre-Health Adviser at Earlham College’s Center for Global Health. Nicolas supports underrepresented pre-health students—Latinx, international, first-generation, low-income, queer, and BIPOC—through mentorship, equity-focused programming, and community-based research at this rural liberal arts college. His work also extends into the local Latinx community in Wayne County, where he conducts public health research and serves as a medical interpreter, bridging gaps in healthcare access and understanding.

Nicolas was honored as a Future Nobel Laureate Scholar, attending the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony and Nobel Week Dialogue, where he deepened his study of intercultural competency in both local and global contexts. Currently, Nicolas leads the Health Externship Program, which places over 30 students weekly in clinical experiences across Wayne County. This community-driven initiative strengthens hands-on learning while addressing local health needs.

For Nicolas, health is a human right. His commitment to health equity is rooted in his own experience as a displaced person from armed conflict in Colombia and as an immigrant navigating marginalization in the U.S. He dedicates himself to dismantling systemic barriers that deny care based on identity and to building a future where culturally competent education and healthcare are accessible to all.

Nicolas defines leadership as leading with service, kindness, and empathy—whether you’re a hot tamale or a cool cucumber.