Expanding Opportunities, Empowering Students

Karlita Pablo’s journey with NPC started later than most. She never really thought college was in the cards for her, at least not initially. Born and raised on the White Mountain Apache tribe, she lost both of her parents at an early age, and later a 23-year-old brother, much too soon to complications from diabetes. She later married and spent most of her time raising a daughter and caring for her family.

It was only after she got involved with her employer, John Hopkins, that a spark for continued education was lit. She was working with a home-based program providing help and resources to new mothers and their young children, including maternity support, early childhood coaching, and mental health resources. She admitted, “I felt uncertain of myself, unprofessional, and quite intimidated. I felt like I needed more in my toolbox to genuinely help these families, like something was lacking that was important,” she said. “I didn’t have an education in early childhood development, no certifications, or credentials, and yet I was providing them with important guidance and care during a very pivotal time in their life experience. I wanted to do the best job I could in providing them care,” she said.

She confided her doubts to her supervisor, who suggested she start taking some early childhood courses at NPC. “I was planning on only taking one or two courses at first,” she said. “But once I enrolled, it was like an invisible force just kept pushing me to do more.” She did not qualify for financial aid, and so paying out of pocket was the only option. “I was blessed to be introduced to the scholarship opportunities available through NPC Friends and Family,” she said. “Without the assistance of scholarships, I would not have been able to keep going.”

In 2025, she graduated with her associate’s degree in early childhood education, exactly 20 years after graduating from high school. She laughed, “It took me a while, and maybe longer than most, but, indeed, it’s never too late to get an education.” Upon earning her associate’s degree, she became involved in NPC’s quest to offer a bachelor’s degree option in early childhood. “By then, it was a no-brainer, of course, I was going to continue my educational journey,” she said. She is now set to graduate with her bachelor’s degree from NPC next spring, along with a certificate in behavioral health. “It has been quite a journey. It’s taken a lot of time and commitment, juggling work, school, and family, but it’s been worth it,” she said.

For Karlita, earning a degree means she is fully-equipped to be a true and worthy advocate for families, infants, and young learners in her community. “I want to help my community and make a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “A degree is important. It has value. It sets the bar for high-quality essential skills necessary for true success. It’s important to have knowledge to back up your actions. When something isn’t working well or could be done better, education is the catalyst for positive change. Karlita hopes to continue her education and eventually earn a master’s degree. She would like to continue serving White Mountain Apache communities by providing essential services and support to those in need. “I’m fortunate to be making this journey with my daughter watching me,” she said. “I tell her, if I can get an A, you can get an A. If I can do it, you can do it. I want to set a good example for her, my coworkers, and my tribe. Because, in the long run, the only thing that can’t be taken from you is an education. I’m proud of mine.”