During the Navajo County Community College Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, May 17, Northland Pioneer College President Dr. Chato Hazelbaker presented the award of Emeritus and Meritorious Status to three employees of the college who are “soon to leave or have left the college very recently upon retirement.”

Emeritus and Meritorious Status is an honor awarded by the college that shows respect for one’s distinguished career upon retirement. Dr. Hazelbaker explained that this status is granted automatically by a certain number of years of work, or a nomination.

Due to these two processes of awarding this status, the board had to approve Colleen Readel’s nomination, which they did. The other two, who did not need board approval, were Rickey Jackson and Michael Chance.

VPAS Ellison spoke on Readel’s character and dedication to NPC during employment. Ellison stated, “Over the last 13 years she has demonstrated how passionate she is in helping students succeed and attain their educational goals.”

Readel’s jobs over the years during her employment at NPC include working as the Assistant to the Dean of Nursing, Assistant to the Vice President of Learning and Student Services, and her most recent roll as Lead Campus Manager. “Colleen has been a stellar employee and will be missed. It’s people like Colleen that make NPC so great,” said Ellison.

Vice President for Learning and Student Services Michael Solomonson offered his praise for Rickey Jackson, who also was awarded this status. Jackson began working for NPC in 2004, holding numerous titles such as Associate Dean of Education and College Career Preparation, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and acted as Interim Vice President for Learning and Student Services. “I guess I’ve come to see Ricky as sort of a bright North star or as a moral compass for the college when it comes to us thinking about our mission.”

Jackson vocalized his appreciation for spending 18 years at NPC. “We can’t forget what our students are going through. We can’t forget about treating each other as people, as humans,” Jackson stated.

Next the board heard from Coordinator of Technical Services Curtis Stevens, who revered Michael Chance’s work at the college. Stevens stated that Chance came to NPC with no formal technology training 20 years ago but studied and worked hard to do his job as Information Services Support Technician.

“Michael always worked hard to get the students, faculty and staff the best support that he could,” said Stevens. He also praised Chance for getting things to students when needed during the pandemic, driving around to many different campuses to ensure they had the right equipment. Chance worked for eight presidents and five Chief Information Officers during his time at NPC. “Everyone in this college will greatly miss him, he was a very valued person.”

Dr. Hazelbaker stated that this status is meant as a request for those retiring to continue to interact and stay involved with NPC as well as offer council. “The door is not just open for you; it is an invitation. Please come back anytime you would like to.”