Archive - Fall 2018, Volume 4 – Issue 1 : Fall 2018, Volume 4

President’s Message

Northland Pioneer College Welcome to the latest issue of NPC’s CareerFocus magazine, an opportunity for us to share how the college and its community partners play a vital role in providing affordable educational opportunities to all residents of Navajo and Apache counties. On these pages you will find students’ success stories; an overview of our Fire Science, Performing Arts and Management...

NPC Hero Helps Battle Arizona’s Cedar Fire

by Everett Robinson NPC fire science alum Clay Wallace helped save lives and property this summer when he was called upon to help battle the Cedar Fire. The wildfire burned 45,977 acres from June 15 to July 2, just 10 miles south of the Show Low and Pinetop/Lakeside area. [caption id="attachment_1519" align="alignleft" width="185"] Clay Wallace[/caption] Tears begin to flow from...

posted in: Careers, Success Stories

So You Want To Be A Firefighter

Locally, a first step would be to enroll in NPC’s Fire Training Academy, based at the Jake Flake Emergency Services Northeastern Arizona Training Center in Taylor. NPC’s program has earned Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education recognition and graduates are certified by the National Fire Academy, meaning credentials meet or exceed national standards. The NPC academy accepts...

posted in: Careers, Education

Rising Stars

NPC theatre and music students build their performance résumé faster than in four-year college or university programs. by Everett Robinson [caption id="attachment_1512" align="alignright" width="300"] The Constant Wife[/caption] As the house lights dim, adrenaline increases your heart rate. You close your eyes and take a deep breath. Your mind races through the months of line or note...

posted in: News & Notes, Student Life

Learning In HD

NPC brings college classes into local high schools by Everett Robinson Distance learning technology is opening the doors to NPC higher education opportunities for students at 10 area high schools. It’s funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to Northland Pioneer College. Utilizing technology-connected classrooms, NPC faculty members provide dual enrollment instruction to...

posted in: Education

NPC Opens Student Veterans Center

(l to r) Ret. Gen. “Rusty” Findley, Dr. Jeanne Swarthout, NPC Board member James Matteson, Ray Torres and VFW Post 9907 Commander Scott Keil. Board members from S.E.E.4Vets (Support Education & Employment for Vets) and Northland Pioneer College officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new Veterans Center on NPC’s Show Low campus on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. S.E.E.4Vets...

posted in: Financial Aid

Transform Your Life

By Dennis Durband You have a job, but it’s not really what you want to do. Your family is depending on you for support, and you worry that you may not have any other good options. One area resident who faced that challenge found out that simply wasn’t true. He’s Steven Busch, whose NPC training literally helped him reach the summit of his career aspirations. He’s now a registered nurse in...

posted in: Careers, Success Stories

Rx for Success

By Everett Robinson As the number of older Americans continues to increase, the career opportunities for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow faster than average at 9 percent through 2024. The median annual salary is $30,410 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In just one semester, you can complete the training and test for national certification in this exciting allied health...

posted in: Careers, Education

NPC Graduates Attract Jobs

It’s a simple fact. Go to college, and you can expect to do much better in the labor force. A recent study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce confirmed that of the 11.6 million jobs created after June 2009, 8.4 million went to those who had earned at least a bachelor’s degree. An additional 3 million jobs went those who had an associate degree or some college...

posted in: Economy, Education

Building Confidence & Hope

By Dennis Durband “I like teaching and touching young students’ lives,” says Jorge Meza, an instructor in Construction Technology at Northland Pioneer College. “It is rewarding to help guide kids. I remember when others guided me and I want to pay it forward.” Meza enjoys telling the story of how he developed this commitment to guiding young people. It began during his youth in Los...

posted in: Education

Filling Empty Bowls and Serving the Community

Last year, NPC held its first annual Empty Bowls community service project, which raised $2,040 for the Love Kitchen charity in Pinetop. Magda Gluszek, NPC art instructor and event coordinator (pictured far left), says, “The Empty Bowls project is part of NPC’s ongoing commitment to community service. It is very important for NPC to give back to our communities through service projects like...

posted in: News & Notes, Student Life

Same Classes, Big Savings

Northland Pioneer College partners with other regionally accredited colleges and universities, both within and outside of Arizona, through official articulation agreements. These agreements assist students with making a smooth transition from NPC to a participating four-year institution without duplicating coursework. NPC students participating in university transfer agreements (UTA) are able to...

posted in: Education, News & Notes

99% Pass Rate

Barbara Hicks demonstrates the latest nail care techniques. Cosmetology students learn more than just hairstyling; they also study the techni-ques of pedicures, facials, coloring, perms and salon management. Graduates of NPC’s Cosmetology program have one of the highest success rates for passing the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology licensing exam, at the lowest program cost in Arizona! With a...

posted in: Careers, Education

NPC Financial Aid Just Got Easier!

by Everett Robinson Students and their parents applying for financial aid and scholarships should experience less stress after two major national process changes were implemented October 1. First, students are able to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the next school year three months earlier. This is the form that every U.S. college student has to submit in order to be...

posted in: Financial Aid

No Profit for For-Profit College Students

Students who attended a for-profit college or university that offered certificates, associate or bachelor’s degrees generally saw their income decline five or six years after attendance compared to their earnings before enrollment. Many of these students left before completing their certificate or degree but still end up with significant debt. — National Bureau of Economic Research Students...

posted in: Economy, News & Notes

Scholarly Advice

By Dennis Durband NPC student Esmeralda “Ezzie” Lujan once rationalized that apply-ing for a scholarship “will take so much time that I don’t have and they request so much information.” Three scholarships later, Lujan says she changed her mind because of the encouragement she received from Betsyann Wilson, executive director of NPC Friends and Family. “Betsyann told us, ‘It’s...

posted in: Education, Success Stories

Ringing Up Success!

NPC’s Management & Leadership program helps you advance your career By Everett Robinson Like many nontraditional NPC students, Lori Moore put her own education on hold to raise a family and work to supplement her family’s income. But with both of her children finishing up their college education, Moore decided she too wanted to earn her bachelor’s degree. Lori has already earned an...

posted in: Education, Success Stories

A Smart Start

By Dennis Durband Anthony Meza left a lasting impression at Northland Pioneer College and helped many of his fellow students in three years at the school before transferring to Arizona State University in 2013. He is a shining example of how well NPC prepares students for future success when they transfer to four-year schools. As a dual enrollment student at Snowflake High School, Anthony spent...

posted in: Education, Success Stories

Pedal the Petrified Bike Tour

The fourth annual Pedal the Petrified bike tour on Sept. 17 raised $40,500 for NPC student scholarships, a substantial increase from the $23,289 raised in 2015. Produced by NPC Friends and Family, the nonprofit alliance that supports NPC students and programs, Pedal the Petrified enjoyed the support of numerous sponsors and volunteers. Ride participants gave very positive feedback. “This is the...

posted in: News & Notes, Student Life

7 Easy Steps to Enroll at NPC

YES, YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE! Financial aid and scholarships are available. All students who wish to apply for financial assistance, including scholarships, must start by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online. Getting started is easy; just watch the student guide video for step-by-step instructions at www.finaid.ucsb.edu/FAFSASimplification. Don’t have access...

posted in: Education, Financial Aid

NPC Career Guide

Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associate degrees and certificate programs available, a new career is easy to attain. We’ll help you chart a course that’s right for you. The following list provides a snapshot of the programs NPC offers and national average incomes in the field. For more information,...

posted in: Careers, Education

Archive - November 2016