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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...