For Niklas Franklin, higher education wasn’t always the plan.
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A Nontraditional Path to College
Born and raised in Farmington, New Mexico, he first enrolled at San Juan College in 2020 but stepped away after one semester to work in landscaping. While the job kept him busy, he quickly realized something was missing.
“I felt trapped,” Franklin recalls. “The job was great, but I was craving a learning experience.”
That realization brought him back to SJC in 2023, where he found the supportive environment he needed to succeed.
Discovering Confidence in the Classroom
Returning to SJC gave Franklin a renewed sense of purpose. He never thought college was for him, but with encouragement from instructors like Dr. Mark Johnson and Dr. Eric Miller, he gained the confidence to push forward in engineering.
“I realized I was capable of being a student, learning and developing skills I didn’t have before,” he explains.
Harvard Internship Becomes a Turning Point
In 2025, Franklin learned about the Harvard Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). With guidance from mentors and advice from fellow SJC student April Tretton, who had attended the program the year before, he applied and was accepted.
That summer, Franklin traveled to Boston, working in Harvard’s School of Engineering. He immersed himself in coding, data analysis and collaborative research while building a meaningful mentorship with researcher Pavel Zhelnin. Outside of the lab, he even experienced his first-ever major league baseball game at Fenway Park.
Looking Ahead
Now set to graduate from San Juan College, Franklin will continue his studies in physics at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 2026.
“SJC has given me a launching point for my academic career that I never expected,” Franklin says.
Start Your Own Journey
San Juan College empowers students to discover new opportunities, gain confidence, and prepare for rewarding careers. Learn how SJC can be your starting point for success.
