"It really IS a few caring people who change the world!"
Early Giving opens March 11, 2025 (donate anytime!)
AZ GIVES DAY (24-Hour Fundraiser) IS APRIL 1, 2025!
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!
Help build futures one donation at a time! 😀 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
- Karen Zimmerman, Development Coordinator, 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.”
Graecyn grew up in Show Low, Arizona, and has always been a hard worker. She will graduate this spring at the top of her class. Graecyn has been raised by her mother and grandmother “NaNa,” who taught her that with hard work, anything is possible. She watched her mom work through obtaining her master’s degree while diligently working full-time and raising a family. Seeing her mom accomplish her dreams made Graecyn realize that she, too, could do anything she put her mind to. Graecyn will graduate from NPC this spring and plans to continue her studies at Northern Arizona University (NAU). To attend school, she has wisely used her savings to set up a mobile trailer in the Flagstaff area where she will live as she attends college.
“The scholarships and support of NPC Friends and Family has been huge for me and my family,” she said. “It has lessened the financial burden, and I can now move on to completing my bachelor’s degree debt-free. My younger brothers are also determined to go to college, and I know that I have set a good example for them, as my mother did for me.”
Rhiannon 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 has worked very hard to raise her two young sons on a single income. Carrying out the responsibilities of motherhood while juggling a full-time job and school is no small feat. She is now on track to graduate from NPC this spring and will be attending Arizona State University to obtain a degree in health sciences. She hopes to give back to her community by advocating for better healthcare, wellness education, and initiatives that will truly benefit the people of her homeland.
“NPC is like a family; it is very close-knit and supportive. I have been blessed to have great people at NPC on my side through this journey. The scholarships through NPC Friends and Family are so beneficial. Without them, going to school was just a dream for me…, not really tangible. I want to set a good example to my sons, and without the assistance of scholarships, none of this would have been possible.”
Rivke is a first-generation college student and has overcome significant challenges to get to where she is today. Raised in the rural community of Dilkon, Arizona, her heritage is a rich blend of Diné (Ashįįhí) and Egyptian roots, with her father hailing from the Yemassee (Głáshchį́) tribe of Georgia. Her journey has been defined by perseverance, self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to make a positive impact. After serving four years in the United States Navy, she faced the difficult reality of post-traumatic stress. Determined to heal and grow, Rivke fought through her battles. On the advice of her VA counselor, she set out to do something she never thought she would do. Go back to school. She will graduate from NPC this spring and plans to attend NAU to study construction and project management with a focus on humanitarian projects and sustainable development.
“Everyone at NPC has been so supportive and encouraging. The guidance they have given is invaluable. The thought of attending school was intimidating at first. But going to NPC feels very welcoming. Everyone at NPC is very invested in their students. The people at NPC truly care. With the scholarships, I have the help I need to keep going forward with my studies. I feel loved and like nothing can stop me now.”
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 $1,000 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 $1,000 each semester 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 $1,000 scholarships, awarded each semester.
• The Jennifer Lee Witt Memorial Scholarship:
The Jennifer Lee Witt Memorial Scholarship awards three $1,000 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, $1,000 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 $1,500 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 OR, Karen Zimmerman • Development Coordinator, NPC Friends & Family
1611 S. Main St., Snowflake, AZ 85937 (928) 536-6245 | or email NPCFF@npc.edu
