Students from Northland Pioneer College (NPC) were recognized for their achievements in a ceremony held on December 11 at the Performing Arts Center at the Snowflake campus.
This was the culmination of hard work and steadfast determination by seven of those students to build a brighter future for themselves and their families by completing their High School Equivalency (HSE or GED®). NPC’s College and Career Preparation (CCP) department offers comprehensive academic support for students preparing for the GED® exam or exploring alternative pathways to earn their HSE. Achieving an HSE unlocks opportunities for further education, better job prospects, and increased earning potential. Those completing NPC’s fall HSE program included Krystina Etsitty, Brian Feltrop, Dre Johle, Uyen Le, Erryn Picciuto, Liliana Soto Segura, and Jessica Smith.
This fall also marked the launch of a new program designed with the assistance of a $102,000 grant provided by the Del E. Webb Foundation for students seeking licensure as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). NPC’s Nursing Assistant Training Integrated Education Technology (NAT-IET) program helps students seeking academic growth to build basic entry-level healthcare readiness skills to prepare for CNA certification and earn their high school equivalency at the same time. While in the program, students also learned time management, how to write a resume, and other valuable workforce preparation skills. The program was offered at NPC’s Show Low and Winslow campus locations and the Whiteriver Center. Thirteen students completed the program in this fall’s first cohort and are now preparing to test to become board-certified nursing assistants. Earning the certification is also a prerequisite for entry into NPC’s nursing program.
The inaugural NAT-IET class was comprised of talented students from across NPC’s service area, from Kayenta to Whiteriver. Graduates included Adolinda Aday, SheRa Begay, Shauntay Begay, De’Shonda Cromwell, Arena Dixon, Jordan Joey, Leanna John, Kelsi Neiberlein, Pearlena Paxson, Gloria Soto-Segura, Liliana Soto-Segura, Caitlynn Tessay, and Jennifer Tullie.
NPC Associate Dean of College and Career Preparation, Dr. Tabitha Stickel, said, “We had several students who traveled from rural communities, such as Kayenta, to complete the NAT class. The Del E. Webb Foundation helped us provide lodging for them. The students drove from Kayenta to Winslow each week, spent the night, and were ready for the 8:00 a.m. course.” The grant from Del E. Webb also provided students with scrubs, computers, and other classroom support. “The assistance from Del E. Webb was huge for this inaugural group of NAT-IET students,” Stickel explained. “We are very grateful for their support.”
In addition to recognizing the outstanding achievements of the HSE and NAT-IET graduates, NPC also celebrated the induction of 16 deserving students into the National Adult Education Honor Society. Stickel explained, “The inductees are students enrolled in NPC’s College and Career Preparation (CCP) classes who have demonstrated dedication to their studies, going above and beyond in their commitment to their academic goals.” Honorees are selected by NPC’s CCP faculty and staff. New NPC honor society students include Carl Lomaintewa and Georgene Puhuyaoma of Hopi, Krystina Etsitty of Chinle, Leanna John and Shanita Sullivan of Kayenta, Whiteriver students Shauntay Begay, De’Shonda Cromwell, and Caitlynn Tessay, Winslow students Ashley Garcia and Larrison Jenson, Angelica Cervantes Leon and Maria Dilia Muneton Velasquez of Show Low, Sara Norlasco Velerde of Snowflake/Taylor, and Gloria Soto-Segura, Liliana Soto-Segura, and Jennifer Tullie of St. Johns.
NPC is currently enrolling students for the spring 2025 semester. The college will once again offer the IET and nursing assistant training at the Show Low, Winslow, and Whiteriver locations, as well as a newly designed construction technology pathway at the Whiteriver Center. Visit www.npc.edu/spring25 to enroll and register.
For more information on NPC’s College and Career Preparation (CCP) department offerings, including the HSE (GED®) preparation program and NPC’s IET Courses and programs, contact Tabitha Stickel at (928) 289-6535 or email Tabitha.Stickel@npc.edu.
