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Nick is an entrepreneurial and collaborative strategic marketing & public affairs professional who’s responsible for leading SchoolDude’s marketing efforts.
You can find Nick on Google+
Together with a talented team of passionate marketers, Nick & SchoolDude's Marketing Team are responsible for strategy, revenue generation, market research, client lifecycle management, web/community/social engagement, communications and public relations.
Mirisis serves on several education committees and Boards, including:
Member, Board of Directors: National Business Officers Association (NBOA)
Member, Board of Directors; The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
Member, Board of Directors; The Public School Risk Institute (PSRI)
Member, Information Systems Committee; ASBO International
Prior to SchoolDude, Nick served as the Vice President for Public Affairs and Executive Engagement at the North Carolina Technology Association. He also served as Senior Vice President and Communications Director for a nationally-recognized government affairs, public opinion and strategic communications firm in Arlington, Virginia, working for various Fortune 100 clients, including: American Express, AT&T, Boeing, Federal Express, Hospital Corporation of America, Merrill Lynch, and Exxon Mobil.
Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University.
When many administrators and facility managers think of a healthy building, they think of a building that is well maintained, in good repair, energy efficient, and free of any needs for immediate corrective maintenance. However, there is a different yet equally important connotation that has been growing in popularity recently. More and more architects, teachers and even doctors are beginning to acknowledge the link between building design and maintenance and the overall health and productivity of its tenants.
The link between building maintenance and academic performance Teachers and parents are constantly seeking ways to improve the education students are receiving. One area that, until recently, has been woefully overlooked is the condition of the school itself. As a place students spend between six and eight hours a day for five days a week, it stands to reason that any unresolved maintenance issues or poorly managed classroom spaces can have a significant impact on performance.
A report from the American Institute of Architects found that 90 percent of homeowners surveyed - an overwhelming majority - revealed that they believed the school building itself can have an impact on student performance. Yet despite the general consensus and data from the AIA and the Environmental Protection Agency, many administrators are hesitant to incorporate such green repairs as part of their maintenance and upgrade programs, largely due to cost.
Making a healthier school When it comes to a greener, healthier building, the ideal practice is to start from scratch. While building a green school is more costly than building a conventional one, the long-term savings and benefits are significant. According to a joint report from, among others, the American Federation of Teachers and the AIA, building a green school can result in 33 percent more energy efficient facilities, and significant financial benefits in the way of improved health care costs and teacher turnover.
Of course that's not to say that older buildings can't make the change to a healthier setting. According to the CDC, the most important thing maintenance managers can do is tackle many of those niggling repair projects that often fall victim to deferred maintenance. Leaking roofs, poor insulation and heating and an overreliance on chemical cleaners can contribute to health concerns like asthma and allergies. Students are particularly susceptible to such health concerns, and they are frequent causes of absenteeism linked to reduced academic performance. Focusing on repairs that improve temperature regulation and indoor air quality is an important step in stemming these preventable obstacles to student success.