Nicole Gamboni Walter, Class of 2014, like many young Christians stepping into college and adulthood, found that faith was no longer something reinforced daily by teachers and parents. It had to become her own. But what began as lessons learned at StoneBridge soon matured into a personal, resilient trust in Christ, rooted firmly in the Biblical foundation first planted there.
The clearest refining came during seasons of transition and uncertainty, especially as she navigated major life and career decisions after graduation. Rather than drifting, she chose intentionality. In moments when the next steps felt uncertain, she sought wise counsel from trusted friends and mentors. She read Scripture with intention. She practiced trusting God’s direction even when the path ahead was only lit one step at a time.
In the spring of 2018, just before graduating Christopher Newport University, she was enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program, which would have allowed her complete the degree the following spring. Through that experience, however, she realized that while she loved teaching, high school was not where she felt called to serve.
“After praying about it for a few weeks, I made the very scary decision to withdraw from the MAT program and pursue a master’s in journalism at Regent University. God also opened the door for me to begin my communication/marketing career with a local radio group, Sinclair Communications, just a few weeks after graduation,” she explained.
Nicole also had the unique opportunity to shadow the program director of US106.1 at local concerts, filming artists and learning about radio. That experience led to a role with Sinclair Communications, an on-air position at US106.1, and her first full-time job in sales and reception. She says the unexpected shift not only changed her career path but allowed her to pursue her love of music and grow in ways she never anticipated.
“I learned so much in my time there, and I know that none of that would have happened had God not led me in a different direction than where I thought I was supposed to be.”
Prepared for Academics
After graduating from StoneBridge, which she attended since Kindergarten, Nicole attended CNU, where she graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Leadership Studies. Never one to stop learning, in 2019 Nicole earned her Master of Arts in Journalism from Regent University, where she is also working on earning her Ph.D. in Communication Studies.
Now as an adjunct professor at Regent University teaching various communications courses, she has found that she’s able to further the kingdom of God by intentionally modeling her faith with integrity, compassion, and professionalism while supporting students academically.
“Teaching at a Christian university allows me to thoughtfully integrate faith, Biblical principles, and Godly communication into everyday lectures and classroom discussions,” Nicole said.
Academically, StoneBridge helped her develop critical thinking and reasoning skills (via word studies) and how to write extended research papers, including a 22-page senior thesis. Nicole immediately reaped the benefits of that rigorous high school work in college.
“That preparation made college-level writing and research far more manageable, and my high school senior thesis rivaled many of my doctoral-level research papers in length,” she said. “I can clearly see how StoneBridge equipped me with a strong foundation for teaching writing, learning strategies, and thoughtful academic engagement while integrating faith into the learning and discussion process.”
The lessons learned at StoneBridge did more than fill notebooks. They shaped the way she thinks, questions, and lives out her faith long after graduation.
“StoneBridge helped prepare me to live out my faith by teaching me to think critically and to look directly to Scripture when I have questions,” she said. “Learning how to examine ideas thoughtfully rather than simply accepting what I hear has been especially valuable in both my personal faith and my professional life.”
As a professor, this foundation has shaped how she approaches integrating Biblical perspectives into her course lectures.
“The foundation I received at StoneBridge modeled the way I should encourage students to thoughtfully consider faith, ethics, and communication within their fields and in their personal lives,” she explained.
Reflecting Back on StoneBridge Days
Nicole looks back fondly on her time at StoneBridge. Some of her favorite memories were the special days and class trips.
“I loved the themed days when we were able to fully immerse ourselves in what we were learning alongside our classmates—specifically, I remember loving Narnia Day with Mrs. Fox in third grade,” Nicole recalled. “I enjoyed our trips to DC, Boston, and, of course, Europe. I think the spy museum in Boston and visiting Mont-Saint-Michel in France were likely my favorite trip memories.”
Retreat was also another highlight each year that provided opportunities to build friendships and reflect on faith together.
“I remember it felt like summer camp for high-schoolers, and I loved how the SBS community felt so tight-knit each year after retreat,” she said.
Nicole was active in her high school years. She participated in cheerleading, soccer, Key Club, National Honor Society, and served as a teaching aide in high school.
“I loved cheer and soccer because of the team environment and the opportunity to show school spirit—especially after a winning game,” she recalled.
Being a teaching aide was also one of her favorite experiences at StoneBridge, and it has now come full circle for Nicole.
“It was so meaningful to return for Homecoming in 2025 and see the kindergarten students I worked with when I was in high school preparing to graduate as seniors,” she said.
Beyond Academics
Beyond the classroom, Nicole brings creativity and mentorship into every corner of her work. She is the owner of Mint and Magnolias, a small business specializing in custom wedding and event signage and personalized gifts, where artistry meets thoughtful detail.
She also serves as a horseback riding instructor at Triple R Ranch, the same place where she held her very first job in high school and first turned her lifelong love of horses into something she could share with others. In this role, she invests in campers and younger staff members, encouraging spiritual growth, Christ-centered leadership, and relationships rooted in faith.
“I am frequently in positions where my words, decisions, and attitude influence others. I strive to represent Christ through thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship of resources, demonstrating patience and extending grace whenever possible, and clear, respectful communication,” she said. “I always do my best to lead in ways that prioritize collaboration, fairness, and accountability while encouraging others to grow in their faith, their professional lives, and in their personal lives. My goal is to create environments where people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to pursue excellence with integrity, and without fear of judgment when mistakes are made.”
Nicole is active in the community, serving as president of the Tidewater Alpha Delta Pi Alumni Association, volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House with her sorority sisters, and serving as the outreach Director for the newly-formed SBS Alumni Society.
When she’s not working, running her business, or volunteering, Nicole enjoys home renovation projects and anything DIY, horseback riding, listening to country music and true crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, Trey, and her standard noodle puppy, Johnny Cash.
Whether teaching, creating, volunteering, or mentoring from the saddle, she is passionate about using her gifts to point others toward Christ and to serve with excellence in every season.
