Demetrious Trā Nicholson is a first generation, two-time graduate of the University of Virginia. He earned his Master's in Higher Education, bachelor's in Sociology, and is a recognizable alum of UVA's football program, class of 2015. Additionally, Trā received his second master's degree in counseling from the University of Lynchburg. 

Trā's professional journey has traversed primary, secondary, and postsecondary education settings, as he has taken on various roles including mentor, advisor, coach, and school counselor. After interning at UVA's Career Center, Trā's professional career began as a Success Coach in Baltimore, Maryland at a Title I elementary school, where he implemented restorative practices to minimize missed instruction time for students combating traditional disciplinary policies. He returned to Virginia Beach, his hometown, as a Student Support Specialist supporting students with their transition from alternative education programs to public schools. In Virginia Beach, he also led two public schools in the Spartan Prep program, a college preparatory program for rising first generation college students. Trā's latest roles include serving as a student advisor, teaching 11th grade U.S History, serving as Learning Resource teacher, Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, and as a middle school counselor most recently here in Charlottesville.