NIC Student Success Navigator for Health Professions Betsy Conery, left, and NIC Medical Assistant Program Director Cindy Pavel talk to a student during the NIC Roadshow at Sandpoint on March 24 at Sandpoint High School. /Gerry McCray, North Idaho College NIC Roadshow visits Sandpoint High School By Gerry McCray, North Idaho College
North Idaho College hit the road and visited Sandpoint High School March 24 to offer students a chance to learn about the opportunities available at NIC.
The NIC Roadshow drew more than 400 students to the Sandpoint High School gym, where they were able to speak with NIC staff and faculty about different programs offered at the college including Theatre, Graphic Design, Culinary Arts, Diesel Technology, Automotive Technology, Law Enforcement and more.
Each booth featured informational material about different programs, and some had hands-on activities to engage students including stitching wounds on a dummy arm, spinning prize wheels, VR auto body painting and more. Students were also able to register for NIC at the event, ask for general help about preparing for college and learn more about dual-credit opportunities.
“It’s never too early for students to start thinking about their futures,” Sandpoint High School Principal Jacki Crossingham said. “Giving them opportunities to explore their interests and explore different career paths is vital. When students get to experience real-world examples of how their skills can be applied to a career, it becomes even more relevant.”
NIC staff and faculty said students were engaged and informed about programs they were interested in and used the opportunity to find out how the college can help with their goals.
“It was really amazing to see the different students connect with NIC instructors,” NIC Center for New Directions Student Success Navigator Louisa Rogers said. “Students were having in-depth conversations about their future plans and interests. What is especially great is that NIC has a campus in Sandpoint, and they wouldn’t necessarily have to go to Coeur d’Alene their freshman year.”
Rogers also said that it’s important to make connections with high school students before they graduate to help build confidence for their first collegiate semester. “When you are an incoming freshman, and you already have a connection with an NIC instructor because you’ve been talking to the same instructor at roadshows throughout your high school experience—that can be hugely helpful when it comes to success in college,” Rogers said.
Rogers said she believed that some of those connections were made at the roadshow and that faculty came away with multiple lists of interested students. NIC also held roadshows at St. Maries High School and Lake City High School on April 28. For more information about NIC Roadshows, contact roadshow@nic.edu.