"It really IS a few caring people who change the world!"
Early Giving opens March 12, 2024 (donate anytime!)
AZ GIVES DAY (24-Hour Fundraiser) IS APRIL 2, 2024!
NPC Friends and Family is committed to advancing the mission of Northland Pioneer College through the provision of scholarships that empower students across Navajo and Apache Counties to transform their lives through education. Northland Pioneer College (NPC) serves Navajo and Apache counties, including the lands of the Navajo, Hopi, and White Mountain Apache people. While these are two of the poorest counties in the US, our students are determined to persist in their college dreams!
Please join us this year in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Northland Pioneer College (NPC)! Our goal is to raise $50,000.00 in scholarships for NPC students: the most dedicated, courageous college students you will ever encounter. Poverty is endemic across the college's service area, yet our students are determined to empower themselves through education! Through increased job opportunities and earning power, NPC graduates are literally breaking the cycle of poverty, improving income, reducing dependence on welfare programs, and serving as an example to friends and family members that a college degree is attainable. Because NPC's per-credit tuition is the lowest of any college in Arizona's system, there is nowhere your gift will go further or help more students achieve their goal of a college education! Thank you for all you do to support NPC students!
- Betsyann Wilson, Executive Director, NPC Friends & Family
Meet some of Northland Pioneer College's Students!
Melanie lives in Chinle Arizona and travels over 700 miles each week to attend classes at NPC’s Winslow location. She has two older brothers, one of whom works as a medical assistant on the San Carlos reservation. She was able to shadow him at work one day, and it piqued her interest in Medical Assisting. She was inspired to start taking classes at NPC. Knowing her family was not financially stable, she worried about the expenses and added financial burden. It made it harder for her to decide to come to college. Melanie has now earned several scholarships through NPC Friends and Family and will graduate with an associate degree from NPC this May. She plans to intern at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado Arizona and obtain her Medical Assistant certification.
"It was hard because going to school felt so good, but it was also so negative knowing the financial toll it took on my family. Not knowing if we would have money to make it another week and not go hungry. With the help of scholarships, I don’t have to worry about having enough money to come to school each week and I can focus on my studies. It’s taken a huge weight off. It feels good to be doing this now.”
Jillian grew up in the White Mountain Apache tribe and attends classes at NPC’s Whiteriver Center. She knows what it means to struggle. She also knows the value of education. She gave birth to her first son during her freshman year of college and had to give up going to NPC to support him. She fought her way back. By working low-paying jobs and putting on yard sales, she saved every extra cent she could to go back to school. Jillian will earn an Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting from NPC. After being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes in 2020 she was motivated to advocate for the health of others and plans to enroll in ASU’s College of Health Solutions and earn a bachelor’s degree in health sciences.
“The scholarships that I have earned have helped me tremendously with buying my books, helping with living expenses, rent, and electricity, water, feeding my family. When I started taking classes at NPC I didn’t have a job and it was difficult to make ends meet. I couldn't have gotten to where I am today without the help and support."
Camille is the middle child of nine and attends classes at NPC’s Snowflake campus. She was not always a fan of school. In sixth grade, her family opted for homeschooling. During her freshman year of high school, her mother encouraged her to start taking college-level courses through NPC. With NPC's personalized attention and small class sizes, along with the dedication of the faculty and support staff, she slowly began to love learning. Camille will graduate with her Associate of Arts degree from NPC this spring among the top of her class. She plans to continue her studies, earn her bachelor’s degree, and eventually go to law school.
"To put it simply…without the support of scholarships, I would not be here. I would not be going to college. I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay for my education as much. Scholarships have made it possible for me to get an education without student loans. Having the support of scholarships and knowing that people believe in me motivates me to do better.”
Jaden is enrolled in NPC’s nursing program. He is a first-generation college student and after grieving the loss of his brother, decided that he wanted a career helping others and working to save people’s lives. In addition to being a full-time student, he is employed as a medical tech in the emergency department at Summit Healthcare in Show Low, Arizona. Jaden plans to continue his studies and transfer to Arizona State University (ASU) to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. He would like to eventually become an emergency care flight nurse and work with critical care patients in need of transport.
“I was denied federal financial aid, so the scholarships provided through NPC, and the people who have donated to them, have allowed me to continue my nursing studies. It has lessened the financial burden and propelled me toward reaching my goals. Without the assistance of NPC Friends and Family scholarships, my dreams would never have had a chance.”
LEARN ABOUT OUR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS!
NPC Friends & Family's Named and Memorial Scholarships
NPC's Memorial Scholarships are founded on the memory of beloved contributors and special friends of Northland Pioneer College. These generous scholarships are provided to qualifying NPC students and are gifted by the family and friends of the loved ones we have lost. Each of these individuals held a special place in their hearts for the students at Northland Pioneer College and loved education. This passion for education continues in their name...
• The VAL 153 Memorial Scholarship:
The VAL 153 Memorial Scholarship was established by her fire captain in memory of Valeree Reidhead Claude, a Pinetop, AZ firefighter who passed away on duty. Provides full tuition and fees for students pursuing degrees in Fire Science or Emergency Medical Technology.
• The Charles E. Lisitzky Memorial Scholarship:
The Charles E. Lisitzky Memorial Scholarship continues the work of Mr. Lisitzky, a Holbrook, AZ businessman, by providing a $500 scholarship each semester to a Navajo, Hopi, or White Mountain Apache student.
• The Mary Kay Smith Lindy Nursing Scholarship:
The Mary Kay Smith Lindy Nursing Scholarship honors the memory of "Kay" Smith Lindy by providing $500 each year to a Native American student in NPC's Nursing program. Kay spent her entire career in nursing and nurse education and found her experiences with nurses on the Navajo Nation to be among the most rewarding in her life.
• The Jon Graff, PhD, Scholarship Fund:
The Jon Graff, PhD, Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Jon C. Graff to provide three $500 scholarships each semester - one to a university-bound student, one to a student in Career and Technical Education, and one to a student in College and Career Prep. Dr. Graff was a lifelong champion of education, and in establishing his scholarship fund, he left no student out.
• The Pres Winslow Memorial Scholarship:
The Pres Winslow Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Charles Prescott "Pres" Winslow, a former NPC district governing board member and perennial volunteer in Winslow Unified School District through $1000 scholarships, awarded each semester.
• The Jennifer Lee Witt Memorial Scholarship:
The Jennifer Lee Witt Memorial Scholarship awards three $1000 scholarships each semester. The scholarship was established in memory of this beloved professor of English and Creative Writing. Past awardees have included students that Jennifer taught, and her influence was felt through their scholarship essays.
• The Arvin Palmer, PhD, Memorial Scholarship:
The Arvin Palmer, PhD, Memorial Scholarship was established by the family of Dr. Palmer, who was an NPC Vice President, and was instrumental in the founding of the college. He even authored a book, "Northland Pioneer College, the First Twenty-Five Years," an invaluable record of the college's history. Each year, $1000 is awarded to a graduate of Snowflake High School.
• The Taking Flight Scholarship in Memory of Dr. Eric B. Henderson:
The Taking Flight Scholarship in Memory of Dr. Eric B. Henderson was established by the family and friends of Dr. Henderson, who served NPC for many years as both faculty and dean. His legacy is preserved through this scholarship, which provides $1500 each year to an NPC graduate who is matriculating to a residential baccalaureate program - Taking Flight to the next chapter in their lives.
• The Martin Lucas Memorial Scholarship
Established by the family and friends of Martin Lucas in honor of his servant’s heart, dedication to the community, and special empathy for those whose lives are affected by disabilities. Martin was a longtime resident of Snowflake and worked for over thirty years as a barber in Phoenix and Snowflake. Hallie, his wife of fifty years, retired from NPC after over nineteen years at the college.
On Sunday, August 7, 2022, Martin passed away. Because he was a servant leader, with a loving heart for his family, friends, and community, Hallie and his family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to NPC Friends and Family to establish a scholarship in his memory. Donations of almost $2,000 were made in his honor.
Martin had a special place in his heart for those with disabilities, recognizing some of the challenges that a person with a disability endures, as well as what their families experience as they adapt and support their loved ones.
• The Marta and Louis Smith Memorial Scholarship
Martia A. Smith was an artist and scholar who served as an instructor and major contributor to NPC's art program. Her husband Louis established a generous endowment fund to honor her memory by awarding a full scholarship to a highly motivated, academically and artistically talented NPC student each year. Louis Smith passed away in December 2020, so now his memorial tribute honors both of them.
Questions Contact Betsyann Wilson • Executive Director, NPC Friends & Family
1611 S. Main St., Snowflake, AZ 85937 (928) 536-6245 | or email betsy.wilson@npc.edu
