Kola currently serves as the Deputy Director of the National Sea Grant Office and National Sea Grant College Program. She joined NOAA Sea Grant in 2000 as the Sea Grant Knauss fellowship manager and has since held positions as the Assistant Director for Administration, Acting Assistant Director for Partnerships, and the Acting Director.

In 1999, Kola was a recipient of the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship working in the legislative branch. In her tenure at NOAA, Kola has also been Acting National Ocean Service CFO/CAO, Acting Superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and spent a year in NOAA’s Program Coordination Office.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Science degree in marine science/molecular biology and a Ph.D. in International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her dissertation researched NOAA’s response to Hurricane Mitch and formulated a plan for Reconstruction Planning in NOAA.

Outside of professional settings, you can find Kola volunteering at her daughter’s school and with other local organizations including a Federally Qualified Health Center and DC Special Olympics.

Email: nikola.garber@noaa.gov