Nick attended UW-Eau Claire for a BS in Chemistry. During that time he swam for two years followed by Nordic for two years. After graduating he moved east to pursue a PhD from Cornell University and then returned to Wisconsin in 2009 where he has since been teaching chemistry at Northland College. In addition to teaching, Nick works closely with undergraduate students in the research lab focusing on lessening the environmental impact of plastics. In his free time he is either with his family or paddling the shores of Lake Superior.