Northland Pioneer College (NPC) will celebrate its 52nd Commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Holbrook Unified School District Football stadium, 10th Avenue, to Roadrunner Stadium Rd. Holbrook AZ. General admission begins at 9 a.m. NPC encourages families, friends, and members of the public to celebrate the 2026 graduates. Field seating is restricted to individuals with reserved tickets. Open seating will be available in the stadium's bleachers. Guests and graduates are invited to a President's Reception immediately following the ceremony.
The ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube. Visit www.youtube.com/@NpcEducollege/streams to access the live feed.
This year’s commencement speaker is Dr. Junlei Li, the Saul Zaentz Chair in Early Childhood Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a developmental psychologist, Dr. Li’s research and practice focus on supporting the helpers, those who serve children and families on the front lines of education and social services. Studying orphanages, childcare, schools and youth programs, he has co-developed the “Simple Interactions” approach (www.simpleinteractions.org) to help affirm what ordinary people do extraordinarily well with children in everyday moments. His work is significantly inspired by the pioneering work of American TV personality Fred Rogers, commonly known as “Mr. Rogers,” when he served as the Co-Director and Rita M. McGinley Chair for Early Learning and Children’s Media at the Fred Rogers Center.
Among 2026 graduates are the second inaugural class of NPC bachelor’s degree recipients. Leticia Albert, Kiersten Begley, Monique Fowler-Pacheco, Stetson Hancock, Cheyenne Lester, Rebecca Orona, Charmayne Quintero and Daphane Walker will graduate with the Bachelor of Applied Management. Earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Child Education are recipients Debbie Burbank, Keri Daggett, Tiffany Honahnie, Leslie Todd, Heather Tucker and Violet Wartz.
Additionally, 84 NPC graduates are receiving transfer degrees. Of those degrees, 51 Associate of Arts degrees will be awarded. Five of those will be in elementary education. Six students are taking home an Associate of Business degree. The Associate of General Studies degree will be conferred upon thirty-three graduates. Eleven students will earn their Associate of Science. One hundred forty-four students are recipients of the Associate of Applied Science degree. Fifty-five students will receive the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) certificate. An additional 183 students have earned a Certificate of Applied Science. Five hundred five students will earn Certificates of Proficiency. Actual degrees and certificates will be conferred upon final grades and credit verification.
Five outstanding graduates will address their peers during the ceremony. These outstanding graduates are recognized for their top grade-point averages and overall academic achievements. Autumn Sprengeler of Fort Apache is the top Associate of Science graduate. Pamela Bishop of Holbrook is the top graduate for the Associate of Arts degree. Jeremy Williams of Lakeside is the outstanding graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree. Jett Walker of Show Low is the top graduate for the Associate of General Studies, and NPC's top bachelor’s degree graduate is Stetson Hancock of Snowflake/Taylor.
Stetson Hancock - NPC Outstanding Bachelor’s Degree Graduate. 
Stetson is NPC’s inaugural bachelor’s degree program graduate in the field of applied management. He currently works at his family’s taxidermy business and plans to apply his education to learning more about business management. He hopes to own his own business one day. He is also a gospel doctrine teacher and served a two-year mission in Brazil for the Church of Latter-day Saints. He is a high achiever and is self-motivated to do well. For Stetson, his favorite quote by the wise Star Wars Jedi master Yoda speaks to Stetson’s drive to succeed:” Do or do not, there is no try.” For Stetson, “DO” is, in fact, the only way. He attributes his love for learning and trying new things to his family setting a good example and motivating him to succeed, specifically his wife, who has encouraged and supported him. He enjoys spending time making memories with her and their newborn son. “She is my best friend. He is my pride and joy. I honestly don’t want anything else.”
Jeremy Williams - NPC Outstanding Associate of Applied Science Graduate.
Jeremy is obtaining an Associate of Applied Science degree in surgical technology. He has always had an interest in the medical field and a desire to help others. After exploring different career paths in the field of healthcare, he landed in surgical technology, combining his interest in evolving technology with improving the lives of others. He is a high achiever, a quick thinker, and prides himself on hard work and paying attention to details. His favorite quote, the Latin “Primum Non Nocere” of “first, do no harm,” is something he values and plans to carry with him as a mantra throughout his life and career. He hopes to use his education and skills to improve people’s quality of life and perhaps even help save lives in the operating room as part of a skilled surgical team.
Pamela Bishop - NPC Outstanding Associate of Arts Graduate
Pamela is an adult learner and a passionate advocate for education. She currently serves as a tutor at Northland Pioneer College, supporting students pursuing their High School Equivalency (GED®), brushing up on skills, or returning to college. She is the president of NPC’s Student Government Association and NPC’s Eagle Club and works to foster belonging, leadership, and cultural awareness across the college community. She also volunteers regularly with St. Mary’s Food Bank, helping support people and communities across Northeast Arizona. Although she has faced significant challenges, Pamela is committed to uplifting others, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and supported. She plans to continue her studies at Northern Arizona University and hopes to apply her education to helping her community and improving the well-being of those living in Northeast Arizona.
Autumn Sprengeler - NPC Outstanding Associate of Science Graduate
Autumn was born and raised in Fort Apache in a very close-knit family. After graduating from high school, she embarked on a journey to expand her education. She enrolled in classes at NPC and began working part-time in the front office at NPC’s Whiteriver location. Fast forward five years. Autumn is still working for the college and is a dedicated employee and student. She is not only graduating at the top of her class with an Associate of Science degree but has also earned two additional degrees: an Associate of General Studies and an Associate of Arts. Additionally, in 2023, she earned a certificate of proficiency in Pharmacy Technology. Autumn has a “never stop” mentality and plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences. She hopes to one day provide excellent customer service, assisting others as a pharmacist. In her downtime, Autumn enjoys spending time taking great adventures outdoors with her Great Pyrenees puppy, Kenai. Autumn’s favorite quote by novelist Clare Pooley illustrates her nature: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Jett Walker - NPC Outstanding Associate of General Studies Graduate
Jett is a senior at Show Low High School and will earn his diploma nearly a week after first completing his degree requirements and earning an associate degree from NPC. He started by taking courses in high school through NPC’s TALON program and excelled. He is a varsity football athlete, an active member of his church’s youth group, and works as a lifeguard, helping people gain confidence in the water and teaching them how to swim. Upon graduating, he will embark on a two-year mission through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Mendoza, Argentina. When he returns, he plans to continue his education and study business administration and hopes to start a family. His favorite phrase sums up his optimistic outlook on life quite nicely: “Asiolla on tapana järjestyä,” or “Things tend to work out.”
NPC would like to congratulate these outstanding students and their peers as they complete their journey with NPC as the graduating class of 2026.
