Fun Summer Program Expands Kids’ Minds
When Northland Pioneer College started Kids College, there was a priority in mind: make learning fun while introducing kids to college in a positive way. Years later, after seeing substantial growth, the program is doing just that for youths ages 6 to 14.
“Our vision is to have Kids College not only be something fun to do in the summer, but to make it a program that can get children...
Closing the Gaps
Knowledge, technology & culture come together.
It’s not often that Northland Pioneer College has a professor born and raised in China, but Wei Ma has been able to combine his Chinese roots and his love of technology to bring a unique opportunity to NPC students.
As Ma grew up in China and started to pursue a career, he worked to become a producer in the television industry. Working for...
Automotive Technology
It’s more than turning a wrench.
Safety, honesty, respect and integrity are vital components of the Automotive Technology program at Northland Pioneer College. When combined with the skills learned on computerized trainers and hands-on shop experience, the result is ASE-certified students and graduates that local employers are eager to hire.
“Our industry partners are hiring our students...
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
If you would like an exciting career where you can serve the community in which you live, consider becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic.
Emergency medical services (EMT) is a demanding field requiring physical fitness and emotional stability in the face of often stressful work conditions. You must be capable of making fast, sound decisions that can mean the difference...
In Demand: Medical Doctor Assistants
America is aging, requiring the services of an increasing number of health-care professionals. In rural northeastern Arizona, the demand for qualified healthcare workers continues to grow along with a surge in the number of physicians’ offices and outpatient care facilities utilizing technological advancements to perform procedures that were once handled only in hospitals.
That’s what makes...
President’s Message
Welcome to the second issue of NPC’s CareerFocus magazine, a semiannual 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 transfer and career degree programs; the essentials of...
NPC Career Guide
Get started now on your future career at NPC.
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...
Welded to Success
Like many teenagers who don’t yet realize their potential, Gavin McInelly (pictured above) was succeeding in high school but was not fully applying himself. However, when his grandmother died two years ago, everything changed. She had always made it a point to encourage her grandchildren, and then she was gone. Inspired by her loss, McInelly resolved to work harder and achieve more.
“My...
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Understanding History
A report by USA Today indicates the study of history is one of the top 10 college majors in the United States. The American Historical Association says students of history are employable in a wide range of occupations, including careers in teaching, media, business, public administration, museums, law and more.
“We can better understand human beings when we understand our history,” says NPC...
NPC Maverick
Each year, many students transfer from NPC to a university to seek
a four-year degree and career success. Amie Rodgers transferred from NPC to Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 2005 and went on to enjoy a highly successful career as a journalist in the White Mountains.
Rodgers earned her bachelor’s degree in public agency service at NAU, along with magna cum laude honors. For more than a...
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Building Tiny Homes
Tiny houses, those between 80 and 400 square feet in size, are growing in popularity world-wide. Whether on solid foundations or on wheels, more people are choosing these dwellings for their affordability and ecological friendliness.
Students in NPC’s Integrated Basic Education Skills Training and Construction classes in Holbrook and Whiteriver have been learning how to frame tiny houses. The...
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Studying Political Science
Leaving no stone unturned, Lauren Burson (pictured above) is pouring the absolute max into her college education as she prepares for a career in politics and government. As a political science intern, Burson’s efforts helped a candidate get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I thrive when under pressure,” Burson says. “If I am going to do something, I am going to do it...
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So Much More Than Maps
When you walk into Professor Andrew Hassard’s geography class, you will encounter a lively and passionate teacher. You will be challenged to write well and make progress, from the beginning of the semester to the end. You will learn to think and evaluate subject matter. He makes geography about more than just maps and places.
Students rate Hassard highly, and he is a sought-after NPC...
AZ Transfer
Yes, NPC courses do transfer.
There is a misconception that NPC credits won’t transfer to Arizona’s three state universities.
That simply isn’t true.
Addressing a charge from the Arizona Legislature, the state’s universities, community colleges and Board of Regents developed the Arizona Transfer System to ensure students can seamlessly transfer between the state’s community colleges and...
NPC Students Enhance Local Communities
Waiting for the Four Seasons transit bus at three pickup locations is now more comfortable thanks to a community partnership between Northland Pioneer College welding students and the City of Show Low.
With ridership topping 180,000 per year on the transit system, officials recognized the need for more shelters at bus stops. “When no local businesses were able to fabricate the shelters, city...
Geology Rocks!
“Cheater!” That’s what geologists in other states jokingly call NPC Geology Professor Randy Porch (pictured above). They’re envious of Porch and other geology instructors in the Grand Canyon State who have so many wonderful geologic features to study in their own back yard.
Since he joined the NPC faculty some 20 years ago, countless students in the Introduction to Geology 101 and 102...
Free Tuition at an Arizona State University?
Every year, for the past 21 years, the Arizona Board of Regents award a little-known scholarship only to community college students selected as members of the All-Arizona Academic Team. Each Arizona community college is allowed to select two students from each campus/center location, which means up to 18 Northland Pioneer College students can receive this scholarship!
Students who complete their...
Healthy Partnership
Haven Health operates two skilled nursing facilities, one in Show Low and the other in Lakeside, that offer inpatient rehabilitation services as well as long- term patient care. Recently, both locations realized they had to add staff more quickly to meet their growing demand for services. That’s when they decided to contact NPC’s nursing program to see if it could help.
[caption...
The Hassard of Disc Golf
You don’t have to tune your flatscreen to the Masters, Pebble Beach or to any other big-time golf tournaments to see great golfers displaying their amazing skills right here in Northeastern Arizona.
What? Phil Mickelson and other top golfers in the world playing locally? Actually, no. But some of the nation’s finest disc golfers are playing right here in our midst. One of them is the...
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7 Easy Steps to Enroll at NPC
YES, YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE!
NPC understands that college can be expensive and that’s why we work so hard to keep costs low. A quality education does NOT have to mean higher cost.
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....
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Discovering Dinosaurs
New Course Combines Paleontology, Geology and Biology
Northland Pioneer College will become the first community college in Arizona to offer an undergraduate paleontology course about dinosaurs in the fall of 2017! NPC Biology Professor Dr. David Smith and his colleague, paleontologist Doug Wolfe, will team-teach the new geology course (GLG 202, Dinosaurs) focusing on the ecology, physiology...
NPC Career Guide
Enroll Now
Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associates degree 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...
Focused on Student Success
Every college in America is focused like a laser beam on ensuring students return semester after semester and complete their educational goals successfully. The survival of small colleges like NPC in particular depend on connecting with students and keeping them engaged and moving forward.
That’s why in the Spring 2017 semester, NPC launched a new program designed to improve student retention...
Learning to Think Outside the Box
In today’s job market, employers are looking for workers who not only have a specific skill set but also can “think outside the box.” That’s where a broad based liberal arts education comes in. A liberal arts education consists of college studies that provide general knowledge and develop intellectual ability, such as literature; philosophy; mathematics; social and behavioral science; and...
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You’re Never Too Old To Learn
College isn’t just for students in their teens and early 20s. Lifelong learning opportunities are available at NPC, and many area people in their 50s, 60s and 70s are enhancing their knowledge and skills in college today. In fact, you’re never too old to learn.
One of those older students is David Peelman, age 62. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 24 years and has considerable military...
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President’s Message
Northland Pioneer College
Community colleges play a vital role in training America’s workforce. That is why Northland Pioneer College offers direct-to-work career training in 17 areas of study, with 52 areas of specialization. However, some careers require additional levels of education — a bachelor’s or higher degree. That’s why NPC also offers general education courses that make up the...
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Psychology
Psychology is the fourth-most popular major among American college students today. Why? Because it teaches us about ourselves.
Psychology is a fascinating area of study. It helps you understand human behavior – how people think, act and feel. Psychology can help you become a better communicator, think more critically and be a better employee and manager in the workplace.
An added bonus for...
7 Easy Steps to Enroll at NPC
YES, YOU CAN AFFORD COLLEGE!
NPC understands that college can be expensive and that’s why we work so hard to keep costs low. A quality education does NOT have to mean higher cost.
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...
Don’t Go It Alone!
Academic advisers are the key to your success at Northland Pioneer College.
Whether you’re a new student who just finished high school, an older student returning to school, just taking some classes to update your job skills, or planning to continue on at a university, your adviser plays an important role in your education. Advisers assist you in clarifying your educational and personal goals...
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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,...
NPC News & Notes
News & Notes from around the college:
Bicycling Adventure!
The Petrified Forest National Park in Holbrook, AZ is a beautiful place for a bike ride. Every year in September, Northland Pioneer College hosts a 36- and 60-mile tour ride called Pedal the Petrified through the park to help raise funds for student scholarships. This year’s ride will be on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.
Previous riders...
NPC Has Scholarships Waiting For You
NPC Friends and Family is a non-profit alliance whose primary mission is to raise and disseminate need-based grants and scholarships to NPC students. The alliance was born in July 2014 out of the reorganization of the NPC Foundation.
Executive Director Betsyann Wilson was excited to be in a position to help students surmount the financial barriers they faced in earning a college degree, so...
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Free Tuition at an Arizona State University?
Yes, and it starts with Northland Pioneer College.
A little known scholarship awarded every year by the Arizona Board of Regents, only to community college students is the All-Arizona Academic Team scholarship. Each Arizona public community college is allowed to select two students per campus/center location to be on their team. For Northland Pioneer College that can mean up to 18 students per...
NPC Graduate Gets Multiple Offers And One Great Job
“It’s great seeing our students graduate from NPC, because not only are they finding success for themselves, but they’re improving and growing the economy wherever they are. It’s rewarding to see so many students being hired locally and throughout Arizona,” says Frank Pinnell, NPC Welding instructor.
One example of a recent hire is Tyler Flores, a graduate of NPC welding who chose to...
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A Path to Engineering at NPC?
YES! NPC offers another option besides heading straight to a university.
Mechatronics! Gain hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting, repairing, upgrading and testing electronic and computer-controlled mechanical systems that often involve robotic assembly machines.
Get Your Bachelor’s Degree Paid For
If you decide that you want to pursue an engineering degree, one option is...
Alumna Tracy Ison Leads by Example
Motivated by her children and NPC, Ison achieves success through education.
Nominated for her dedication, service and professionalism while working in the field of Early Childhood Education, Tracy Ison is the recipient of the Northland Pioneer College Fall 2014 Outstanding Alumni Award.
At 16, Ison was faced with a difficult decision; she was starting a new family, was newly-married, and needed...
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A Résumé That Gets You Noticed
In an economy where job seekers significantly out-number positions, distinguishing your credentials is essential. How can you stand out from the crowd?
According to online résumé service TheLadders.net, job recruiters wade through thousands of profiles and résumés with a ruthless eye for clarity and concrete information.
TheLadders literally tracked the eye movements of 30 professional...
College At Any Age
Northland Pioneer College has served adult learners for decades. We understand the challenges faced by older students who often already have family and job responsibilities.
NPC offers affordable tuition, evening and online courses, and experience serving older students. We are your best choice for gaining the skills and credentials you need to advance your career and enrich you and your...
Financial Aid Helps You Afford College
Don’t assume you don’t qualify!
The cost of tuition shouldn’t stand in the way of getting an education. Most students rely on some form of financial aid to get through college. NPC’s Financial Aid Office will walk you through the application process to help you get the most aid available.
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is money provided by federal, state and institutional sources to...
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The Apprentice
Jonathan (Charlie) Hall knew that Northland Pioneer College would be there to help him earn his degree, but since he has started his apprenticeship (paid, on-the-job training) with Nestle Purina, Hall has been grateful for NPC’s customized support in this new stage of his career.
[caption id="attachment_1317" align="alignright" width="240"] In NPC’s Mechatronics program, Charlie Hall is...
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It’s Never Too Late
Student Spotlight: Vernon Gatewood transforms his life
“Everything was stacked against me, but I made the decision to become a positive role model for my family and peers by enrolling at Northland Pioneer College,” said Vernon Gatewood, a student at NPC’s Whiteriver Center.
Born in Whiteriver, but raised in the small town of Cibecue within the White Mountain Apache Nation borders, Gatewood...
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It’s OK to be uncertain
NPC academic advisers will help you get – and stay – on track
“Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher, working with kids. But after working in the medical field for six years as a phlebotomist – you know, the person everyone hates – I decided a career in a medical field would be right for me,” said Kayla Downs.
“But there were so many choices! Sitting down with my NPC academic...
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Career Ready Right Out Of High School
It’s not uncommon for some students in high school to feel that college is not the right fit for them. But nothing could be further from the truth!
Many local area high schools work hand-in-hand with Northland Pioneer College and NAVIT to provide college-level courses in a variety of career fields for free. All program costs are covered by the high school, and courses successfully completed in...
Free Tuition at an Arizona State University?
Yes, it starts at Northland Pioneer College.
Every year, for the past 20 years, the Arizona Board of Regents awards a little-known scholarship only to community college students selected as members of the All-Arizona Academic Team. Each Arizona community college is allowed to select two students from each campus/center location, which means up to 18 Northland Pioneer College students can receive...
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Cheering For Her Own Goals
Earning college credit in high school
You’ll rarely find senior Trista Ison in the stands cheering for her Show Low High School Cougars, a complete reversal from her sophomore-year cheerleading days. She’s more likely doing homework for her Northland Pioneer College Medical Assistant degree and high school classes, or completing online high school history or college biology courses.
It was...
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Fast Track Your College Career
Earn College Credit In High School
Obtaining a college degree is a smart choice for your future. The median earnings per year for a person with an associate degree is $9,400 higher than for someone with just a high school diploma and with a bachelor’s degree, it is $21,100 higher. A college degree also gives you an edge over those who don’t have one when applying for jobs.
You can get a head...
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Wanted by the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Recruiter Kevin Zwick, with the Phoenix Office, explained career opportunities and the Bureau’s hiring procedure to students in Northland Pioneer College’s computer networking and maintenance class during an NPC Career Services presentation earlier this spring. Only 1,300 of the Bureau’s 36,000 employees are classified as “special agents.” The rest...
Doors of Opportunity
“Something I always seem to be telling my students, is that in life, and especially art, when you’re creating something great, doors of opportunity open to you. My life is no exception,” says Peterson Yazzie, Instructor at NPC.
When Yazzie describes how he became an NPC art instructor and published illustrator, he affirms again that it was doors of opportunity that led him from high school...
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Going to the Dogs: Applying skills for the good of others
[caption id="attachment_1328" align="alignright" width="240"] (Kneeling, l to r) Jacob Bolding, NPC students Joey Cundiff, Dustin Yazzie and Marcus Elliston. (Standing, l to r) NPC student Gabrielle Nez, Winslow Mayor Robin Boyd, NPC Instructor Charlie Perkins, Winslow Animal Control Officer Stratton Sayler, and NPC Instructor Jorge Meza.[/caption]
Building a sturdy doghouse requires the use of...
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Mechatronics
Cutting-Edge Skills For High-Demand Jobs In Manufacturing – Computers, Robotics, Electronics
When Henry Ford implemented assembly line techniques to automobile production in 1913, he revolutionized the skills needed in manufacturing. Factories became filled with low- or semi-skilled workers, who performed repetitive tasks for low pay, often in dirty, dark and noisy conditions. Yesterday’s...
NPC Ranks Number 1 in Nation in certificates to Native students!
Northland Pioneer College is the nation’s top producer of Certificates of Proficiency awarded to Native American students, nearly doubling the number of awardees from the 2012–13 to 2013–14 academic years.
A recent analysis of 2013–14 academic year data from more than 1,600 community colleges by the national publication Community College Weekly showed that NPC issued 108 certificates to...
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Already On The Job: Student Gains Employment Before Graduation
Getting your foot in the door in your chosen career path can be tough. You have to find a way to get noticed, to separate yourself from all the other applicants. Northland Pioneer College helped Nick Chase do just that through career coaching and a college job fair. Now, Chase is enjoying the benefits of working in the same field he’s currently studying at NPC.
The opportunity came as Chase was...
Small Business Development Center
Are you determined to start a new business, or grow an existing one but don’t know where to start? Did you know 95 percent of the people in rural America find owning their own business to be one of the best ways to enjoy the quality of life and make a good income?
Small business owners earn between $25,000 to $300,000 a year! But they also lose between $5,000 to $150,000 on average when they...
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President’s Message
Welcome to the inaugural issue of NPC’s CareerFocus magazine, a semiannual opportunity for us to share how the college and its community partners are expanding minds and transforming lives.
We live in a region blessed with incredible natural beauty, yet our area is oppressed by adverse poverty, low levels of education attainment and high unemployment. Those are huge obstacles to overcome –...
Building Hope, Building A Future
Fifteen NPC students will soon earn their GED®. However, these 15 are unique because they won’t just have a diploma to show for it, but will also have real, marketable job skills, knowing how to build a house — even having built one with their own hands.
These students have enrolled in what’s being called the “IBEST Program.” A collaboration between Northland Pioneer College and...
NPC’s New Film & Digital Video Program
Today, digital media is everywhere and film and sound production are no exception. That’s why Northland Pioneer College is creating a new Film and Digital Video (FDV) program taught by international award-winning filmmaker Mark Ford.
To create the Film and Digital Video program, Ford has revamped and updated two existing NPC courses, and added several new ones, to incorporate the latest...
Construction Technology: Real world experience
Many recall the housing market crash of 2008 and how the construction industry suffered as a result. But eight years later, analysts are predicting a growth of 6 percent in 2016 (Dodge Data & Analytics). And the top problem facing the industry is the shortage of skilled workers. Many employees who left the industry never returned, and as a result companies throughout the United States are...
Leaving a Legacy
Northland’s ECD program traces its roots back to the college’s founding in 1974, when Claude Endfield was one of the college’s first 10 graduates. She has helped guide the ECD program since 1988, adding age-specific specializations and adjusting curricula to meet our communities’ changing needs.
Retiring in June 2016, Endfield has easily traveled over a million miles, on paved roads and...
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An Early Connection
Love working with small children? Few educational fields are more important than those centered on the development and care of infants and young children.
Visible and invisible energy flows through the children in the White Mountain Apache Head Start in Whiteriver as their young minds form nearly 700 new neural connections every second! It’s happening as they build towers with blocks, create a...
President’s Message
Welcome to the latest issue of NPC’s CareerFocus magazine, a semiannual 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 Early Childhood and Construction programs, the importance of...
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,...
Getting a Step Ahead
Career Readiness Certificate Adds Extra Value to NPC Education
More and more employers are using the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) as a measure of a potential employee’s basic skills related to reading, applied mathematics and locating information. Individuals earn one of four levels, based on their assessment results, demonstrating they actually have basic employability skills...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Get Started Now on your future career at NPC
Enroll Now
Northland Pioneer College is ready to help you get started on a path to a new career and new opportunities. With more than 70 associates degree 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...
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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...
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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...
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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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...
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Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back!
“I was very nervous about having to go into a class-room,” reflects Colleen Readel. “It wasn’t about the course work, but my fear of being the oldest student in class.”
Like many Northland Pioneer College students, Readel had delayed her education until her youngest son was a senior in high school. “I was interested in interior design, and had taken a few classes in the Valley. Then...
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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...
Super Bowls: NPC project fights hunger
Community members joined North-land Pioneer College students, faculty and staff in creating over 200 handmade bowls for the Empty Bowls Community Project. The donated bowls were then used on November 20 to raise money for the Love Kitchen in Pinetop, to aid the fight against hunger in our local communities.
For a donation of $10, participants received one of the handcrafted glazed bowls and were...
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Quieres Aprender Español?
“Costa Rica is just so green!” says Joshua Wenger, “Everywhere I looked was amazing. When you’re from Arizona and you go to Costa Rica, it’s just a life-changing experience.” Almost half of Costa Rica’s land is covered by lush, green forest with dozens of national reserves and parks. The country boasts close to a thousand different species of birds; over two hundred volcanic...
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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...
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NPC Rocks SkillsUSA
For the past 14 years Northland Pioneer College Career and Technical Education (CTE) students have demonstrated both their skills and career readiness at SkillsUSA regional, state and national competitions for secondary and college students.
In 2015, NPC students won 23 medals at the state competition with two NPC Cosmetology students, Cassandra Gardner, Show Low, and Nayeli Morales, St. Johns,...
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Veterans Benefits Pay for College
Transitioning out of the military very often means transitioning into a new career.
Veterans benefits such as the ones listed below will provide financial support for
education for veterans for a variety of educational programs. Forty-three percent of
all military veterans attending college are enrolled in community colleges. The educational benefits available at Northland Pioneer College...
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Metal Art is more than Armour
A dancing reflection of sunlight drew University of Arizona history major Howard Noble to a window overlooking a medieval festival on the lawn below. His curiosity led him to join the merriment and change his life forever.
“I had so much fun that I went home, designed and built a suit of armour and was back as a participant a month later,” recalls Noble. He created a second suit for a...
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...
You’ll Earn an A+ in Computers
If you’re interested in the development, mainten-ance and use of computer systems, software and networks, then information technology (IT) may be the career for you. A great way to start is by earning the industry-recognized A+ and Network+ certifications. These certifications verify to an employer that you can troubleshoot computer hardware and software issues, mobile devices, networking and...
Transfer U: No debt, guaranteed transfer
Starting at Northland Pioneer College and then trans-ferring to a four-year institution is a smart strategy for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree. As tuition continues to climb at Arizona’s public state universities, more students are discovering they can save nearly $17,516 in just tuition by completing one of NPC’s guaranteed transfer degrees. These degrees contain the needed...
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...
Parents: Your High School Student Can Earn College Credits for Free!
Preparation for the rigors of college studies begins with dual enrollment programs at 19 area high schools in which students earn both high school and Northland Pioneer College credits for college-level courses taught at the high school.
“Parents and students don’t have an understanding of what a wonderful program this is,” said Jeff Strong, a dual enrollment mathematics instructor at...
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...
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Knowledge is Power
Sometimes a phrase by itself is inspiring. NPC’s new slogan “Knowledge is Power. Be Powerful” is commanding, but what really makes it inspiring is knowing the person and story behind that phrase.
Meet Rhonda Paladino, a new NPC student with a story to tell. Something that stands out about Paladino is that she has no qualms when she talks about her past. When Paladino tells her stories she...
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Your Art’s Desire
Art classes aren’t just for degree seekers
Artistic expression takes many forms, each honed through practice and guided by a mentor who has been where you are today. That’s why Northland Pioneer College art classes are open to all, regardless of age or experience.* Studio art courses are geared specifically to guide students in preparing a portfolio of their work.
NPC offers many options for...
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...
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A Burning Curiosity: NPC Cadet Saves Life & Property
There’s a creed in the fire service: while others are running away from a fire, firefighters are running toward it.
Northland Pioneer College/NAVIT Fire Science Academy Cadet Kasey Kelley is already living that creed, applying her 11 days of training to investigate and report a structure fire and aid in the rescue of a Lakeside restaurant owner.
Kelley was on her way to Blue Ridge High...
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