Admissions

Jeff Squire - Sterling, CO

Architecture Major

“I’m a second generation NJC student. My dad went to college here. My mom didn’t go to college after high school. When I was growing up, it was just a given that I would go to college because of the better job and income opportunities I’d have once I get a degree. I want to be an architect. I took CADD classes in high school and I like the idea of taking my own ideas and creating something that serves a purpose for others. I see it being a career area where I’ll never be bored with my job. I’m going to NJC on a baseball scholarship. I had offers to go to other colleges, but I liked the idea of staying here close to my family and my closet friends who are also attending NJC. Sterling is a nice, humble place to live and I’ve been able to really focus on my academics while perfecting my baseball skills. I’m talking to several D-1 schools right now and I’ll have to decide where I will go from here. It’s a great feeling to know that my options are wide open. I’ve worked really hard, so I believe I’ve earned many of the opportunities that are now coming my way. I would really like to think that I could eventually come back to this part of the state to live and work and raise a family. I’m not sure if they’ll need any high rise buildings in northeastern Colorado, but I might go into residential design. If NJC can get more area students to pursue college degrees, it might mean we will have more businesses and industries to move to this part of the state. Maybe I will get to design some new, big buildings here one day.” Previous page

Jamie Cecil - Cope, CO

Ag Communications Major

Having grown up in a tiny rural community, I found such comfort in knowing I could be at a place like Northeastern Junior College. My parents met at NJC and my older sister graduated from NJC as well.  I was excited to continue a family tradition as an NJC plainsman.  Tradition is exactly what Northeastern is about.  NJC has a tradition of providing students with a valuable life experience. Here, you learn the importance of support, building up your peers, encouraging others to succeed, getting involved and discovering your passions.  I’ve heard so many others who’ve come before me talk about the wonderful faculty and staff and the great things that happen on campus. Some of them went to the city, but equally as many have come back to their roots—back to this part of the state and they are doing well. Many of them will say that it was NJC that made the biggest difference in their lives.  I’m off to serve as a national FFA officer this year, but I will not forget what I found when I came to Sterling. A great community that really cares about students. Always has. Always will. I was so excited to hear about the Hope Scholarship program. I hope donors realize the important difference they can make in students’ lives. The Hope Scholarship is the beginning of one more great Northeastern tradition! Previous Page

Sally Castillo - Haxtun, CO

Nursing Major

I was 29 years old, married, and raising two children under five.  Everything costs so much. I knew I needed to get more schooling and increase my earning power if my family was going to have much in life. It was a terrifying thought, not just for me, but for all of us-- for mom to go back to school.  I knew I wanted a career in nursing but just didn’t know how I was going to financially swing it.
 In April of 2005 I made the most important decision of my life and headed to NJC on a lunch hour to investigate its financial aid department.  NJC showed me how I would be able to afford to go back to college, with some help as far as grants and loans.
 My life changed that very day!  I signed up to get on the list to get into the practical nursing program and even enrolled in some of the pre-requisite classes I needed.
   Those first few classes were daunting to me.  However, it didn’t take long before I was more comfortable and thoroughly enjoying learning.  I was excelling in classes I had barely passed in high school and I actually understood those subjects!  I was impressed with each of my instructors. I remember the first time math finally “clicked” for me.  Then there was the anatomy and physiology class that brought an entirely new type of learning my way.
I’ve had awesome instructors. They want you to succeed and they want to be there to see you succeed.   I have succeeded thus far and have gained more than just knowledge; I have gained pride in myself.  NJC is my future. It is my children’s future. It means that I am finally going to have the nursing career that I have dreamed of! Best of all, I’m going to be able to have it right here close to home, in Northeastern Colorado. Previous Page

Zehren Walker - Yuma, CO

Production agriculture/ag business major

I chose NJC because I know it has a really good agriculture program. It is close to home and the lower cost was a benefit as well. When I am done with college, my plan is to return back to the Yuma area where I’ll hope to help my older brother who took over the family farm. We grow alfalfa and have some beef cattle. We also work with some neighbors who are really big producers by doing some contract farming as well. I’m really hoping that with what I am learning in college that I will be able to bring some niche marketing ideas to our farm operation. Ultimately, I see myself staying in Yuma where I hope to live and raise a family.
At NJC, classes are small and what I am learning is very hands-on and applicable. In my ag economics class, I learned how to do our farm business books better. We’ve always had some cattle around and by just being raised on a farm, I know quite a bit, but learning the formal side of agriculture, like how you scientifically balance feed rations. is finally really helping make everything fit together for me. I’m seeing the big picture now.
I didn’t know about the honors program at NJC until I started school here and I’m in that program now. At NJC, I feel like I’m being challenged, encouraged and I’m engaged in the learning process all of the time. Previous Page

Jackie Hedlund - Sterling, CO

Elementary Education

“I’m a first generation college student. Neither of my parents attended college but it is really important to them that their children get some higher education. Coming from a middle class average family, I’m trying to take the most economical route to a college degree. Having Northeastern Junior College in my home town has meant that I haven’t had to move. I’m able to live at home and that is making my higher education more affordable. Still, it takes a lot of money to make it all happen. I received a few small scholarships and I have a work study job on campus plus another job off campus. I’m also doing volunteer work at a local elementary school to earn hours that will convert to scholarship dollars for me through the AmeriCorp program. It’s a lot to be doing and thinking about in addition to taking a full load of college credits and keeping my grades good. But, I’m determined to make it all work. My plan is to get my teaching degree. I grew up around teachers. My mom works in education. I don’t think there is anything I can do for myself that is more important than finishing college. I wish everyone understood the importance of education and what it can do to change a life for the better.” Previous Page

Brian Pocock - Ovid, CO

Business Administration Major

Brad Abbott - Otis, CO

Physical Therapy Major

Nicole Benavides - Iliff, CO

Business Administration Major

Melissa Pletcher - Yuma, CO

Psychology/Law Major

When I was a little girl, I had a whole bunch of career choices. But then I developed a passion for arguing, or debating, and I’ve always had something to say. So, becoming an attorney is my goal. Neither one of my parents went to college, but they made it clear to me and my sisters that we would go. Nowadays, it is hard to do anything very significant with your life unless you are educated past high school.  I am hopeful to complete my associate’s degree at NJC in three semesters at which time I will go back home and work for awhile to save some money before I move on to CSU.
I’ve declared my major to be psychology and I’ll get my degree in that prior to applying to law school.  I’d like to work in some area of law tied to agriculture or something else I can feel really good about. I have some pretty high morals and I’m comfortable letting them influence my eventual career decisions.
I love all my classes at NJC. From piano to speech and everything in between, I’m learning so much. But, cost is never far from my mind. Fortunately, I did get some scholarships to help pay for NJC. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t received some monetary gifts. I will have to use loans to continue my studies after NJC.
 I have high school friends that were good students who didn’t go to college because they were so afraid of how much it would cost and that’s really a shame. Previous Page

Jessica Gerk - Iliff, CO

Audiology Major