Northwest Nazarene University鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate elementary education programs have earned A+ ratings from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well they prepare their future teachers to teach reading using research-based instructional practices.

The recognition comes as part of NCTQ鈥檚 2026 Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, which evaluates elementary teacher preparation programs across the country on their alignment with the science of reading.

N麻豆原创 received the highest possible rating for both programs reviewed:

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education 鈥� A+
• Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education 鈥� A+

The report recognizes programs that provide comprehensive instruction in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. To earn an A+ rating, programs must demonstrate exceptional alignment with reading research and avoid instructional practices that are unsupported by evidence.

鈥淣麻豆原创 is deeply honored to receive national recognition for our literacy programs,鈥� said Lisa Amundson, Professor of Education and Interim Dean of the College of Education. 鈥淪trong reading instruction begins with well-prepared teachers, and this A+ rating reflects our faculty鈥檚 deep commitment to preparing educators ready to make a meaningful difference in children鈥檚 lives. We are particularly proud of Professor Whitney Ward and her leadership in our literacy programs. She has led the way in ensuring our programs are grounded in high-quality, research-based reading instruction and that our teacher candidates are prepared to help all students become strong readers.鈥�

The recognition reflects years of intentional work within N麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Education to ensure future educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach reading effectively. According to NCTQ, earning an A+ rating is rare and represents one of the highest distinctions a teacher preparation program can receive.

Professor Whitney Ward, N麻豆原创鈥檚 Literacy Coordinator, played a significant role in the achievement. In addition to leading literacy efforts within N麻豆原创鈥檚 teacher preparation programs, Ward is recognized across Idaho for her advocacy and leadership in literacy education.

鈥淎t N麻豆原创, we teach literacy through a biblical perspective,鈥� said Ward. 鈥淲hen we consider the impact of illiteracy on individuals, families and communities, teaching children to read becomes a way we can serve the least of these. We also believe that teaching children to read equips them with the tools to read scripture for themselves, making literacy an important part of building God’s Kingdom. Our teacher candidates are passionate about teaching and reading, and that passion is evident in their field experiences, student teaching and professional practice after graduation.

鈥淣麻豆原创 actively participates in the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership, a group of literacy professors from across the state who are deeply committed to improving literacy outcomes in Idaho. Together, we have worked diligently to strengthen our programs, equip future teachers and support statewide literacy initiatives. The growth reflected in NCTQ’s latest report is encouraging, and ultimately, it is great news for Idaho’s children.鈥�

NCTQ鈥檚 evaluation process included a detailed review of course syllabi, assignments, assessments, instructional materials and opportunities for teacher candidates to practice literacy instruction. Programs were assessed on how thoroughly they prepare future elementary teachers to teach reading using methods supported by decades of scientific research.

鈥淓very child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,鈥� said Heather Peske, President of NCTQ. 鈥淎cross the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Northwest Nazarene University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.鈥�

The National Council on Teacher Quality is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to ensuring every child has access to effective teachers. Its Teacher Prep Review evaluates teacher preparation programs across the nation and identifies institutions that demonstrate excellence in preparing future educators.

This recognition affirms N麻豆原创鈥檚 ongoing commitment to preparing highly qualified educators who are equipped to serve students, schools and communities throughout Idaho and beyond.

The post NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERISTY EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN READING INSTRUCTION PREPARATION appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

President鈥檚 List

The President鈥檚 List aims to honor undergraduate students who have earned a grade point average of 4.0 on a load of 12 semester hours or more and adult undergraduate students who have earned a grade point average of 4.0 on a load of 6 semester hours. The President鈥檚 List includes students from 13 states and three foreign countries.

Brianna Abo (Boise, Idaho); Elizabeth Abshire (Fortuna, Calif.); Maria Acosta (Lima, Peru); Ava Adamson (Nampa, Idaho); Alise Adkins (Anchorage, Alaska); Ian Agrigoroae (Meridian, Idaho); Kaitlyn Alberts (Nampa, Idaho); Liberty Alzaga (Eagle, Idaho); Morley Anstine (Eagle, Idaho); Estrella Armas Villa (Caldwell, Idaho); Alexandra Asay (Boise, Idaho); Tori Bailes (Nampa, Idaho); Kary Banos (Boise, Idaho); Opal Barker (Bellingham, Wash.); Alexandra Barrass (Nampa, Idaho); Ella Bartlett (Sisters, Ore.); Keana Bell (Las Vegas, Nev.); Caleb Benedick (Ridgefield, Wash.); Evan Bennett (Hamilton, Mont.); Silas Bissonnette (Chehalis, Wash.); Abbey Blancett (Nampa, Idaho); Kiara Blanco (Parma, Idaho); Alyssa Blum (Pullman, Wash.); Jaden Booker (West Richland, Wash.); Jacob Bryant (Olathe, Kan.); Conner Buckner (Howell, Mich.); Kendall Clark (Melba, Idaho); Caitlyn Cook (Filer, Idaho); Eleni Corson (Meridian, Idaho); Lailauni Cortes (Caldwell, Idaho); Ashlyn Creech (New Plymouth, Idaho); Jenna Davis (Apple Valley, Calif.); Natalie Davis (Nampa, Idaho); Adriana Decarvalho (Eagle, Idaho); Emma Dela Cruz (Boise, Idaho); Chloe Desgroseillier (Chelan Falls, Wash.); Angad Dharni (Brampton, Canada); Wade Duncan (Nampa, Idaho); Keira Dwinell (Reno, Nev.); Rylie Edlefsen (Blackfoot, Idaho); Nathaniel Edmonds (Newman Lake, Wash.); Noah Eichenbusch (Roseburg, Ore.); Elizabeth Ellis (Caldwell, Idaho); Riley Emerick (Medford, Ore.); Ellie Emerson (Star, Idaho); Olivia Erickson (Kuna, Idaho); Shelby Ferguson (Vancouver, Wash.); Cole Foster (Lake Tapps, Wash.); Gabriella Frankamp (Boise, Idaho); Megan Frankamp (Boise, Idaho); FrankiLynn Galloway (Grangeville, Idaho); Brooke Galvin (Gilbert, Ariz.); Natalie Garcia-Ramirez (Nampa, Idaho); Hannah Gerbitz (Meridian, Idaho); Yecenia Gonzalez-Martinez (Meridian, Idaho); Emma Goossens (Nampa, Idaho); Jordan Gram (Olympia, Wash.); Averie Green (Meridian, Idaho); Kayla Green (Meridian, Idaho); Henry Guske (Montrose, Calif.); Brooklyn Hallett (Boise, Idaho); Ruby Hansen (Kent, Wash.); Nicholas Hay (Aberdeen, Wash.); Jasmine Higgens (Boise, Idaho); Thomas High (Hartford City, Ind.); Abigail Holbrook (Boise, Idaho); Kyle Ireland (Kuna, Idaho); Amelie Jacobs (Vista, Calif.); Avery Jessen (Nampa, Idaho); Joella Jones (Anchorage, Alaska); Mitchell Jones (Caldwell, Idaho); Ainsley Jorgensen (Meridian, Idaho); Kristi Juarez (Ontario, Ore.); Isabella Keller (Middleton, Idaho); Kinsley Kemble (Nyssa, Ore.); Macie Kern (Boise, Idaho); Anna Kerr (Nampa, Idaho); Mara Kessinger (Lewiston, Idaho); Thor Kessinger (Lewiston, Idaho); Isabella Kimball (Edmonds, Wash.); Lily Kinloch (Yakima, Wash.); Bethany Knight (Nampa, Idaho); Halle Kuske (Poulsbo, Wash.); Joshua Lady (Nampa, Idaho); Isabel Lagerwall (Boise, Idaho); Madeline Lapp (Sherwood, Ore.); Katherine Larsen (Nampa, Idaho); Olivia Lee (Meridian, Idaho); Sophia Lord (Rexford, Mont.); Kelly Lynch (Bakersfield, Calif.); Addison Lynn (Mount Vernon, Wash.); Bren Lyon (Walla Walla, Wash.); Alisa Martin (Nampa, Idaho); Olivia Matters (Ridgefield, Wash.); Kayla McCain (Boise, Idaho); Madilyn McCarty (Meridian, Idaho); Kendrey McGath (Salem, Ore.); Rebecca McKenzie (Cascade, Idaho); Brenna McMahon (Escondido, Calif.); Juliann McNulty (Placerville, Calif.); Elizabeth Merryman (Tulare, Calif.); Jacob Miller (Vancouver, Wash.); Hannah Mogle (Klamath Falls, Ore.); Kayley Morrissey (Covington, Wash.); Eli Mounts (Spokane, Wash.); Sadie Myers (Caldwell, Idaho); Adam Nebeker (Caldwell, Idaho); Nessa Neveau (Pendleton, Ore.); Kalanie Newcomb (Lynden, Wash.); Finnley Olson (Nampa, Idaho); Jaidyn Osso (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Katia Oufan (Zagreb, Croatia); John Patron (Caldwell, Idaho); Alexis Peterson (Nampa, Idaho); Evelyn Punzel (Parma, Idaho); Rheanna Ralls (Meridian, Idaho); Brooklyn Ramirez (Jerome, Idaho); Noah Reynolds (Meridian, Idaho); Keziah Richardson (Medford, Ore.); Jakob Rochelle (Boise, Idaho); Lucy Rodes (Horseshoe Bend, Idaho); Addyson Roskam (Nampa, Idaho); Dylan Roslauski (Simi Valley, Calif.); Bethsaida Rotz (Nampa, Idaho); Elise Saindon (Caldwell, Idaho); Ethan Schmidt (Boise, Idaho); Abigail Shewmaker (Nampa, Idaho); Miranda Shingler (Eagle, Idaho); Samantha Simonson (Eagle, Idaho); Karlyn Six (Warren, Ore.); Miley Skeen (Prosser, Wash.); Misty Sloan (Middleton, Idaho); Kylie Smit (Monte Vista, Colo.); Kalia Smith (Nampa, Idaho); Samantha Stagen (Nampa, Idaho); Jayden Stamper (Meridian, Idaho); Alice Stapleton (Melba, Idaho); Matyson Steele (Meridian, Idaho); Emma Steiner (Nampa, Idaho); Jade Stewart (Battle Ground, Wash.); Ian Stockett (Nampa, Idaho); Ethan Thomas (Nampa, Idaho); Nichole Udink (Meridian, Idaho); Reagan Van Der Hoek (Ripon, Calif.); Crystal Van Sickle (Hamilton, Mont.); Shyann Vance (Siletz, Ore.); Matthew Vavold (Nampa, Idaho); Holly Walker (Nampa, Idaho); Lily Walsh (Genesee, Idaho); Ryan Ward (Nampa, Idaho); Tenley Warner (Nampa, Idaho); Abigail Warwick (Eagle, Idaho); Kayla Watson (Montrose, Calif.); Madeline Weatherford (Meridian, Idaho); Davis Weber (Star, Idaho); Andrea Wecker (Meridian, Idaho); Natalie Wetzel (Meridian, Idaho); Sarah Whitelock (Caldwell, Idaho); Benjamin Widener (Boise, Idaho); Holt Williams (Camas, Wash.); Jeremiah Wittwer (Nampa, Idaho); Catherine Woods (Draper, Utah); Amanda Woolley (Camarillo, Calif.); Carter Yates (Arlington, Wash.); Paige Ziemann (Meridian, Idaho); Ellyzbeth Zink (Boise, Idaho).

Dean鈥檚 List

To be eligible for the Dean鈥檚 List at the undergraduate level, traditional undergraduate students and adult undergraduate students must earn at least a 3.5 grade-point average while taking at least 12 graded credit hours of classes. To be eligible at the graduate level, a Graduate & Professional Studies student must earn a 4.0 grade-point average while taking six graded credit hours. N麻豆原创鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 List includes students from 31 states and twelve foreign countries.

Laura Acosta (Bend, Ore.); Asher Adamson (Nampa, Idaho); Daniel Aguila (Nampa, Idaho); Camila Aguilar (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Mirian Aguilar (Caldwell, Idaho); Danilo Aguilar (Olathe, Kan.); Carter Alberts (Cashmere, Wash.); Kyndyl Allen (Richfield, Idaho); Colton Altimus (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Trevor Ames (Meridian, Idaho); Marcial Ampuero (Victorville, Calif.); Alexis Amrein (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Ryland Amsden (Nampa, Idaho); Ashlynn Anderson (Nampa, Idaho); Grace Anderson (Liberty Lake, Wash.); Stephanie Andrew (Meridian, Idaho); Lydia Annes (Gaston, Ore.); Katelyn Appleby (Meridian, Idaho); Drew Arnold (Meridian, Idaho); Michael Arseneau (Sherwood, Ore.); Kay Dee Ashton (Caldwell, Idaho); Angela Atwell (Port Orange, Fla.); Olivia Auxier (Payette, Idaho); Grace Ayer (Spokane Valley, Wash.); Guinaiya Ayuyu Garcia (Yuba City, Calif.); Olivia Bailey (North Las Vegas, Nev.); Tyler Baker (Flint, Mich.); Kiersten Bangham (Meridian, Idaho); Kayla Baniaga (Boise, Idaho); Hunter Baron (Ridgefield, Wash.); Alex Barragan (Nampa, Idaho); Tayna Barreiro (Humacao, Puerto Rico); Audrey Bartlow (Nampa, Idaho); Alexzandra Bell (Meridian, Idaho); Charlene Bell (Middletown, Del.); Michelle Bell (Flint, Mich.); Cristina Benites (Caldwell, Idaho); Bridget Benn (Spokane, Wash.); Melissa Bennett (Nampa, Idaho); Lauryn Bergevin (Walla Walla, Wash.); Ethan Berninger (Littleton, Colo.); Ellissa Berreth (Boise, Idaho); Wade Bestwick (Olathe, Kan.); Samantha Beverly (Twin Falls, Idaho); Robert Bingham (Arimo, Idaho); Kaleb Bitsui (Farmington, N.M.); Kyle Blaser (Nampa, Idaho); Jordan Blenker (Nampa, Idaho); Grace Bohn (Nampa, Idaho); Isabella Bomben (Star, Idaho); McKenzie Bonner (Central Point, Ore.); Caleb Boschma (Nampa, Idaho); Rosemary Bowyer (Carey, Idaho); Amanda Bracke (Meridian, Idaho); Nathaneal Bradley (Nampa, Idaho); Jackson Bradshaw (Hermiston, Ore.); Timothy Bradshaw (Ridgefield, Wash.); Miranda Brammer (Twin Falls, Idaho); Raquel Bravo (Boise, Idaho); Josie Brence (Nampa, Idaho); John Brigowatz (Phoenix, Ariz.); Lelaina Brisson (Chugiak, Alaska); Letitia Brisson (Chugiak, Alaska); Diana Britton (Kuna, Idaho); Elijah Brockl (Boise, Idaho); Adam Brooks (Puyallup, Wash.); Donald Broussard (Denham Springs, La.); Isabella Brown (Star, Idaho); Madelyn Brown (Eagle, Idaho); Stryder Brown (Snohomish, Wash.); Gavin Brubaker (Lakewood, Wash.); Beaux Bruegman (Eugene, Ore.); Terrie Brune (Kimberly, Idaho); Annalise Buck (Medford, Ore.); Molly Buckingham (Star, Idaho); Timothy Buckles (Caldwell, Idaho); Marlee Buffham (Ridgefield, Wash.); Jose Jiro Bulanon (Nampa, Idaho); Emma Bumatay (Fresno, Calif.); Nathan Bunning (Meridian, Idaho); Christina Bunt (Kuna, Idaho); Corbin Burkett (Meridian, Idaho); Carson Burns (Bothell, Wash.); Joshua Butler (Nampa, Idaho); Naomi Butterfield (Nampa, Idaho); Eily Bynum (Nampa, Idaho); Dessa Byrd (Meridian, Idaho); Tammy Cain (Beaufort, Mo.); Karina Calderon (Caldwell, Idaho); Robert Camacho (Tucson, Ariz.); Valeria Campuzano (Nyssa, Ore.); Gabriel Canfield (Boise, Idaho); Mateo Cano (Nampa, Idaho); Jocelyn Cano (Pinehurst, Idaho); Brycen Cardwell (Eagle, Idaho); Maya Carlson (Anchorage, Alaska); Austin Carmack (Boise, Idaho); Kayla Carr (Puyallup, Wash.); Staci Carter (Kimberly, Idaho); Myalia Carver (Meridian, Idaho); Anna Casler (Mount Juliet, Tenn.); Dorian Cassen (Le Boulou, France); Lauren Caulfield (Eagle, Idaho); Caroline Caven (Eagle, Idaho); Gemma Chaplin (Nampa, Idaho); Cordell Chapman (North Baldwin, N.Y.); Jennifer Cheyney (Nampa, Idaho); Lynsey Chiala (Reno, Nev.); Julie Chrisman (Stanwood, Wash.); Cameron Christianson (Meridian, Idaho); Elizabeth Clark (Kuna, Idaho); Kristen Clark (Boise, Idaho); Robert Cockcroft (Boise, Idaho); Teresa Codling (Rigby, Idaho); Constance Coghill (Caldwell, Idaho); Madelyn Coles (Seal Beach, Calif.); Casey Collom (Nampa, Idaho); Lance Colvin (Vancouver, Wash.); Mauricio Constantino Ricaldi (Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico); Alexander Cook (Caldwell, Idaho); Carolyn Cook (Filer, Idaho); Kaitlyn Cornell (Nampa, Idaho); Johnathon Cossel (Homedale, Idaho); Margaret Cowles (Boise, Idaho); Sydney Cowling (Vancouver, Wash.); Hadley Craig (Monmouth, Ore.); Emma Crane (Burley, Idaho); Gavin Crane (Nampa, Idaho); Hayden Crews (West Sacramento, Calif.); Alexis Cromwell (Covington, Wash.); Lola Crosby (Eagle, Idaho); Madison Curtis (Nampa, Idaho); Nikole Curtis (Caldwell, Idaho); Emily Cynova (Boise, Idaho); Margaret Dahlgran (Meridian, Idaho); Rebecca Darwood (Yakima, Wash.); Olivia Davies (Portland, Ore.); Kacee Davies (Boise, Idaho); Kendall Davis (Nampa, Idaho); Kody Davis (Castle Rock, Colo.); Payton Davis (Nampa, Idaho); Michael Day (Middleton, Idaho); Brooklyn Daylong (Meridian, Idaho); Isaac De Boer (Outlook, Wash.); Yessica De Los Santos (Caldwell, Idaho); Chloe Deharo (Spokane, Wash.); Cindy Deisher (Fresno, Calif.); Tiffany Delage (Spotsylvania, Va.); Nathalie DeLaura (Meridian, Idaho); Robert Dennis (Baker City, Ore.); Caleb Dexter (Marietta, Ohio); Andrew Dixon (Nampa, Idaho); Jane Dominguez (Yakima, Wash.); Kristen Donovan (Boise, Idaho); Brooklyn Doramus (Fairfield, Idaho); Matthew Doroshenko (Boise, Idaho); Andrew Doyle (Boise, Idaho); Arianna Duncan (Boise, Idaho); Savanna Dunkley (Kuna, Idaho); Alexis Durr (Ontario, Ore.); Matthew Egan (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Connor Ehmann (Caldwell, Idaho); Allison Eidson (New Plymouth, Idaho); Emilie Ellis (Port Orchard, Wash.); Kim Ellstrom (Nampa, Idaho); Emma Eodice (Nampa, Idaho); Cade Erwin (Battle Ground, Wash.); Ashley Espino (Visalia, Calif.); Evvi Etlick (Bend, Ore.); Indah Fairbanks (Boise, Idaho); Jordyn Falkner (Mead, Wash.); Conlan Farrell (Aurora, Colo.); Ivanna Farro (Middleton, Idaho); Riley Fast (Cashmere, Wash.); Caleb Ferguson (Boise, Idaho); Mariza Fernandez (Wilder, Idaho); Brayden Ferraro (Newberg, Ore.); Isabella Field (Pomeroy, Wash.); Claire Fischer (Richmond, Utah); Grace Fisher (Pocatello, Idaho); McKenzie Fitzgerald (Nampa, Idaho); Shauna Fleming (Boise, Idaho); Savanna Foley (Boise, Idaho); Barbara France (Baker City, Ore.); Addison Franklin (Nampa, Idaho); Jane Frederick (Rancho Cordova, Calif.); Alivia Freeby (Tumwater, Wash.); Sean Freed (Meridian, Idaho); Izaak Frey (Dallas, Ore.); Victoria Frias (Lindsay, Calif.); Elizabeth Friedt (Boise, Idaho); Maya Frye (Meridian, Idaho); Rachel Funk (Boise, Idaho); Kylee Gabaldon (Central Point, Ore.); Laila Galaz (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Melanie Galbraith (Midlothian, Texas); Baylee Garcia (Twin Falls, Idaho); Anna Garrick (Baker City, Ore.); Kelly Garrity (Yorba Linda, Calif.); Elise Gattey (Grants Pass, Ore.); Madeline Gebers (Kennewick, Wash.); Nikki Geiger (Pomeroy, Wash.); Jahshua Gentile (Caldwell, Idaho); Hannah George (Caldwell, Idaho); Bailey Ghattas (Roseburg, Ore.); Cody Gibbs (Eureka, Nev.); Samantha Gipson (Caldwell, Idaho); Isaac Gish (Portland, Ore.); Olivia Glisson (Eagle, Idaho); Kortney Glover (Caldwell, Idaho); Alissa Godinez (Punta Gorda, Fla.); Deisi Gomez (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Promise Gonzalez (Caldwell, Idaho); Osbaldo Gonzalez (Ontario, Ore.); David Gonzalez Perez (Shawnee, Kan.); Ashley Goode (Nampa, Idaho); Taylor Gossett (Pasco, Wash.); Sydney Graber (Eagle, Idaho); Sophia Gradwahl (Happy Valley, Ore.); Mariah Grande (Star, Idaho); Amelia Graves (Coos Bay, Ore.); Josh Greeley (Sandwich, Mass.); Alexa Green (Nampa, Idaho); Malena Green (Nampa, Idaho); Marie Gregg (Post Falls, Idaho); Kathryn Grubbs (Meridian, Idaho); Andrew Guerrero (Hermiston, Ore.); Jared Guinn (Prosser, Wash.); Christian Gump (Temecula, Calif.); Noel Gunther (Deer Park, Wash.); James Guthrie (Jerome, Idaho); Alejandro Gutierrez (Caldwell, Idaho); Lauren Gutkin (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Tanner Hackett (Kuna, Idaho); Julia Hagemeier (Kalispell, Mont.); Tyler Hagen (Everson, Wash.); Amy Hall (Edmond, Okla.); Rileigh Hammett (Eagle, Idaho); Liam Hanenburg (Lynden, Wash.); McKenna Hankey (Star, Idaho); Krystal Hansen (Post Falls, Idaho); Rachel Hardy (Twin Falls, Idaho); Gabriella Harms (Eugene, Ore.); Natalie Harper (Nampa, Idaho); Laura Harris (Caldwell, Idaho); David Hartfield-Dyels (Benicia, Calif.); Margaret Hawkins (Phoenix, Ariz.); Aaron Heal (Sault S Marie, Mich.); Cherri Healea (Nampa, Idaho); Aaron Heberlein (Fair Oaks, Calif.); Camille Heiser (Woods Cross, Utah); Braezen Henderson (Molalla, Ore.); Nathan Henry (Kimberly, Idaho); Cassandra Hernandez (Fruitland, Idaho); Adrina Hernandez (Caldwell, Idaho); Amelia Hernandez (Nampa, Idaho); Fatima Hernandez (Nampa, Idaho); Liana Hernandez (Caldwell, Idaho); Emilie Hernandez (Visalia, Calif.); Malia Herrell (Nampa, Idaho); Liam Herrera (San Marcos, Calif.); Nancy Herrod (Las Vegas, Nev.); Savanna Herz (Murrieta, Calif.); Tate Heuschkel (Cheney, Wash.); Andrew Heuss (Star, Idaho); Libby Hiatt (Santaquin, Utah); Amy Hilderbrand (Caldwell, Idaho); Ann Hitchcock (Grants Pass, Ore.); Alicia Hobbs (Hohenwald, Tenn.); Catherine Hoffman (Dolores, Colo.); Jackson Hoggatt (Nampa, Idaho); Stephanie Holford (Lincoln, Ill.); Monica Holladay (Meridian, Idaho); Jenna Holm (Richland, Wash.); Casey Holmes (Kimberly, Idaho); Brittany Hopwood (Sugar Land, Texas); Jodie Huber (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Yareli Huitron (Caldwell, Idaho); Karen Humber (Ilwaco, Wash.); Cade Hunter (Nampa, Idaho); Aidan Hutsko (Arroyo Grande, Calif.); Dakota Hutton King (Sun Valley, Idaho); Sheryl Ice (Tacoma, Wash.); Joseph Ihli (Caldwell, Idaho); Asher Ingram (Yelm, Wash.); Madison Ingram (Yelm, Wash.); Amanda Ireland (Kuna, Idaho); Michael Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio); Sarah Jackson (Boise, Idaho); Jeremiah Jacobo (Fontana, Calif.); Celia James (Salem, Ore.); Hilary James (Nampa, Idaho); Kelsey Jenkins (Boise, Idaho); Anavey Jentzsch (Knoxville, Tenn.); Cody Jimenez (Caldwell, Idaho); Luke Johansson (Boise, Idaho); Derek Johnson (Gig Harbor, Wash.); Chad Johnson (Tumwater, Wash.); Madelynne Johnson (Eagle, Idaho); Stephanie Johnson (Tumwater, Wash.); Caeden Johnston (Garden Valley, Idaho); Drake Jones (Meridian, Idaho); Brandy Jones (Boise, Idaho); Matthew Jones (Midvale, Idaho); Chellsie Jones-Atkins (Alton, Ill.); Emily Jordan (Nampa, Idaho); Elimelec Juanta Castro (San Isidro, Costa Rica); Njoroge Kahenya (Nairobi, Kenya); Kaleb Karpstein (Bend, Ore.); Lynea Kelsey (Ewa Beach, Hawaii); Rachel Keltner (Elk Ridge, Utah); Brienne Kemble (Nyssa, Ore.); Brody Kemble (Middleton, Idaho); William Kemper (Boise, Idaho); Kelcee Keyes (Kuna, Idaho); Grant Kido (Meridian, Idaho); Andrew Kina (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea); Aedan Kincheloe (Caldwell, Idaho); Kaycee Kirby (South Jordan, Utah); Allison Kissack (Casper, Wyo.); Ethan Kling (Meridian, Idaho); Jana Knapp (Longview, Wash.); Ashton Knight (Meridian, Idaho);Taylor Knight (Nampa, Idaho); Makenze Knowles (Palo Cedro, Calif.); Julie Kortan (Nampa, Idaho); Alivia Krummen-Ganz (Livermore, Calif.); Hazel Kunkel (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Emmanuel Kwakye (Tema, Ghana); Cristina Lalescu (Eagle, Idaho); Annika Lang (Monrovia, Calif.); Andrea Larsen (Nampa, Idaho); Noah Larson (Vancouver, Wash.); Dylan Lawes (Wahiawa, Hawaii); Isabelle Lawrence (Nampa, Idaho); Mason Leavitt (Meridian, Idaho); McKenna Lechner (Foresthill, Calif.); Dawna Lee (Nampa, Idaho); Alexis LeValley (Meridian, Idaho); Elysees Levi (Meridian, Idaho); Amos Lewis (Union, Ore.); Emily Lewis (Athol, Idaho); Abbey Lin (Abbotsford, BC, Canada); Caitlin Lind (Caldwell, Idaho); Kaidence Lindberg (Caldwell, Idaho); Kailynn Lindberg (Caldwell, Idaho); Hadlee Linhart (Meridian, Idaho); Brady Lirazan (Graham, Wash.); Ashley Lloyd (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Diana Lizet Lopez (Dinuba, Calif.); Benjamin Lopez (Chandler, Ariz.); Alexander Lowery (Portland, Ore.); Grayden Lucas (Nampa, Idaho); Javier Luevanos (Fircrest, Wash.); Elijah Lum (Penfield, N.Y.); Michael Lumbley (Caldwell, Idaho); Emily Lunt (Boise, Idaho); Miah Lusk (Pocatello, Idaho); Andrew Major (Nampa, Idaho); Brizel Maldonado (Boise, Idaho); Amina Maranga (Nakuru, Kenya); Maddox Marcelli (Hayden, Idaho); Danielle Marcham (Nampa, Idaho); Thomas Marcham (Nampa, Idaho); Victoria Maroko (Meridian, Idaho); Annabell Martin (Fairbanks, Alaska); Hannah Martin (Boise, Idaho); Nathan Martindale (Meridian, Idaho); Brian Martini (Meridian, Idaho); Hendry Mashile (Modjadjiskloof, South Africa); Molly Mathis (Boise, Idaho); Natalie Mathis (Meridian, Idaho); Annabelle Mattson (Weiser, Idaho); Caleb Maynard (Nampa, Idaho); Joshua McBride (Boise, Idaho); Leslie McBride (Boise, Idaho); Ethan McCabe (Louisville, Ky.); Sophie McCarty (Meridian, Idaho); Adam McCauley (Nampa, Idaho); Sydney McClary (Osburn, Idaho); Sara McClellin (Caldwell, Idaho); Kristin McDaniel (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Jacob McDermott (San Juan Capo, Calif.); Grace McFadyen (Eagle, Idaho); Riley McGee (Bonney Lake, Wash.); Jace McGowan (Grants Pass, Ore.); Robyn McHan (Richfield, Idaho); Kaycee McKenzie (Boise, Idaho); Emily McKeown (Kuna, Idaho); Makayla McMullen (Nampa, Idaho); Allyson McNulty (Placerville, Calif.); Kacee Mealer (Meridian, Idaho); Melina Menashe (Seattle, Wash.); Addison Meredith (Helena, Mont.); Amelia Meyer (Ridgefield, Wash.); Stephanie Meyet (Boise, Idaho); Danielle Miller (Bridgetown, Barbados); Paiton Mills (Caldwell, Idaho); Jayden Mitchell (Caldwell, Idaho); AJ Moffat (Salt Lake City, Utah); Emily Moldenhauer (Nampa, Idaho); Jessica Molina (Wichita, Kan.); Kylie Monteith (Meridian, Idaho); Michelle Montgomery (Caldwell, Idaho); Emma Moore (Caldwell, Idaho); Micah Mora (Caldwell, Idaho); Danny Morales (Garden City, Idaho); Rachael Morgan (Garden Valley, Idaho); Alexis Muir (Caldwell, Idaho); Beatriz Muller Praun (Jardim Belgica, Brazil); Jessica Munthe (Riverbank, Calif.); Stephanie Nash (Nampa, Idaho); Kimberly Nelson (Nampa, Idaho); Trinidie Nichols (Post Falls, Idaho); Caleb Nielebeck (Caldwell, Idaho); Dylan Nightengale (Shelley, Idaho); Mishel Nimratz (Vancouver, Wash.); Cooper Nixon (Boise, Idaho); Mary Nordstrom-Webb (Nampa, Idaho); Lindsay Noste (Stanwood, Wash.); Rayanne Notbohm (The Dalles, Ore.); Paisley Noyer (Weiser, Idaho); Annie O’Connell (Camarillo, Calif.); Viviana Ochoa (Meridian, Idaho); Reilly Olson (Meridian, Idaho); Natalia Ordonez (Meridian, Idaho); Hallie Orr (San Antonio, Texas); Gretchen Otto (Boise, Idaho); Maribel Otto (Meridian, Idaho); Eunice Ovalle Cruz (Caldwell, Idaho); Anna Owen (Gooding, Idaho); Luke Pahlas (Boise, Idaho); Kaydah Parker (Hayden, Idaho); Coleman Parry (Highland, Utah); Alanna Parsons (Nampa, Idaho); Christopher Paskvan (Nome, Alaska); Christine Passmore (San Diego, Calif.); Maxwell Paterson (Seattle, Wash.); Bryson Paul (Twin Falls, Idaho); Luis Paz (Manati, Puerto Rico); Magdalena Peden (Nampa, Idaho); Mikaela Pennington (Lewiston, Idaho); Riley Pennington (Pasco, Wash.); Adrian Perez (Oxnard, Calif.); Stephen Perotti (Nampa, Idaho); Grace Perry (Boise, Idaho); Aaron Pesina (Nampa, Idaho); Kelly Peters (Boise, Idaho); Natalie Peterson (Rexburg, Idaho); Gabrielle Pflugrath (Peshastin, Wash.); Ann Phelps (Halfway, Ore.); Lucy Phillips (Nampa, Idaho); Kristin Phillips (Portland, Ore.); Samantha Phillips (Nampa, Idaho); Heather Pierce (Caldwell, Idaho); Emily Pingrey (Colusa, Calif.); Gretchen Pirtle (Burley, Idaho); Allie Plett (Buckley, Wash.); Hannah Pollock (Cheyenne, Wyo.); Madeline Porta (Encinitas, Calif.); Taylor Porterfield (Pataskala, Ohio); Jamie Poulsen (Eagle, Idaho); Callie Preece (Battle Ground, Wash.); Briahna Price (Eagle, Idaho); Bailee Price (Kimberly, Idaho); Michelle Prince (Boise, Idaho); Matthew Pritchett (Boise, Idaho); Christian Ramirez (Nampa, Idaho); Cami Ramnarine (Nampa, Idaho); Wyatt Randall (Caldwell, Idaho); Briggs Ranstrom (Eagle, Idaho); Easton Reagan (Scottsdale, Ariz.); Grace Redman (Leavenworth, Wash.); Andrew Reed (Prestonsburg, Ky.); Brayden Reinsch (Boise, Idaho); Robert Rice (Boise, Idaho); Isabeau Rickett (Hayden, Idaho); Lauren Riley (Meridian, Idaho); Joshua Rippy (Kuna, Idaho); Ellie Ritter (Battle Ground, Wash.); Montana Robbins (Boise, Idaho); David Roberts (North Bend, Ore.); Annalie Rodriguez (Nampa, Idaho); Miguel Rodriguez Fernandez (Cleveland, Tenn.); Mickenzie Romero (The Dalles, Ore.); Katherine Romine (Kuna, Idaho); Lilly Roms (Boise, Idaho); Dominic Ronchetto (Boise, Idaho); Juliette Rose (Wilder, Idaho); Stephen Roskam (Nampa, Idaho); Edith-Ann Ross (Boise, Idaho); Gabriel Roth (Chattaroy, Wash.); Hannah Roth (Middleton, Idaho); Seth Rubal (Horseshoe Bend, Idaho); Caden Rubright (Colbert, Wash.); Caden Rubright (Colbert, Wash.); Dallan Rupp (Malad City, Idaho); Kylie Rush (Nampa, Idaho); Julie Rushing (Eagle, Idaho); Katie Rybicki (Washoe Valley, Nev.); Colton Safley (Meridian, Idaho); Robert Salazar (Marsing, Idaho); Kayla Salido (Whittier, Calif.); Curtis Sanderson (Nampa, Idaho); Justin Sather (Star, Idaho); Thomas Schmelzenbach (Boise, Idaho); Rachel Schroeder (Post Falls, Idaho); Sydney Schultz (Boise, Idaho); Parker Schulz (Kennewick, Wash.); Michelle Schweizer (Meridian, Idaho); Emily Scoby (Yalaha, Fla.); Quincy Scott (Portland, Ore.); Tess Scott (East Wenatchee, Wash.); Kyrstin Searle (Boise, Idaho); Amy Sessions (Boise, Idaho); Toni Shaffer (Boise, Idaho); Abdullahi Sharif (Doha, Qatar); Samantha Shearer (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Preston Sherburne (Eagle, Idaho); Alexander Shields (Rathdrum, Idaho); Emalee Shields (Middleton, Idaho); Kenneth Shields (Middleton, Idaho); Douglas Shrader (Modesto, Calif.); Grace Shrader (Modesto, Calif.); Susanna Silvester (Meridian, Idaho); Austin Simmons (Caldwell, Idaho); Tiffany Simpson (Fruitland, Idaho); Haley Sjoboen (Star, Idaho); Avery Skeen (Redmond, Ore.); Shelby Skeen (Prosser, Wash.); Terin Slemmer (Nampa, Idaho); Jay Smack (Meridian, Idaho); Vincent Smart (Pasco, Wash.); Emma Smith (Boise, Idaho); Madison Smith (Nampa, Idaho); Olivia Smith (Nampa, Idaho); LandonSoelberg (Meridian, Idaho); Whitney Souza (Meridian, Idaho); Luke Sparr (Boise, Idaho); Shanna Spiller (Nampa, Idaho); Nicholas Sprague (Fort Scott, Kan.); Kayci Spray (Bellevue, Wash.); Madison Spriggs (Glenns Ferry, Idaho); Madaline Stackpole (Boise, Idaho); Zoey Stauffer (Boise, Idaho); Challis Stauffer (Burley, Idaho); Evan Steele (Nampa, Idaho); Brian Steffen (Hillsboro, Ore.); Joshua Stewardson (Saint Charles, Iowa); Joshua Stewart (Middleton, Idaho); Tyson Stichka (Boise, Idaho); Jonathan Stillman (Nampa, Idaho); Luke Stockett (Nampa, Idaho); Erica Stout (Meridian, Idaho); Britney Strenn (Phoenix, Ariz.); Hayden Strickland (Bend, Ore.); Faith Strot (Caldwell, Idaho); Adelaide Sugden (Missoula, Mont.); Milcah Swedbergh (Boise, Idaho); Hailey Sweeten (Malad City, Idaho); Sarah Swenson (Meridian, Idaho); Payton Swope (University Place, Wash.); Kaitlyn Syverson (Idaho Falls, Idaho); Ethan Tabor (Nampa, Idaho); Corbin Talley (Jones, Okla.); Robin Tanju (Hattingen, Germany); Rachael Thoftne (Nampa, Idaho); Luke Thomas (Nampa, Idaho); Aimee Tidwell (Bluffton, S.C.); Jessica Tisch (Meridian, Idaho); Martin Torres Fonte (San Luis Potosi, Mexico); Summer Townsend (Caldwell, Idaho); Paige Trautman (Salem, Ore.); Mia Traylor (Fresno, Calif.); Alma Tucakovic (Boise, Idaho); Melanie Turner (Boise, Idaho); Carter Upmeyer (Richland, Wash.); Liliana Valdez (Caldwell, Idaho); Linda Valenzuela (Nampa, Idaho); Megan Van Donselaar (Ripon, Calif.); Lucas Van Hofwegen (Lynden, Wash.); Kathlena Vanderbeek (Nampa, Idaho); Reta VanderMey (Lynden, Wash.); Marta Vargas-Santoyo (Caldwell, Idaho); Michael Velardez (Menifee, Calif.); Lina Velichko (Auburn, Wash.); Jordan Velikonia (Redmond, Ore.); Daniela Vera Alarcon (Caldwell, Idaho); Emerson Waldal (Caldwell, Idaho); Laurenz Waldbauer (Vilsbiburg, Germany); Cooper Walker (Olympia, Wash.); Emily Walker (Farmington Hills, Mich.); Meri Wallace (Arvada, Colo.); Carter Walsh (Boise, Idaho); Whitleigh Walsh (Destin, Fla.); Frank Walsh (Lewiston, Idaho); Sarah Walsh (Boise, Idaho); Elsbeth Warren (Caldwell, Idaho); Emma Warth (Nampa, Idaho); Breanne Wasnea (Meridian, Idaho); Mia Watson (Meridian, Idaho); Kathryn Watts (Hayden, Idaho); Sage Way (Meridian, Idaho); Katana Wayman (Caldwell, Idaho); Jared Webster (Garden City, Idaho); Aaron Weeks (Hendersonville, Tenn.); Bryan Weeks (Boise, Idaho); Tugg Wellsandt (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); Daya Werre (Meridian, Idaho); Attie Westbrook (Gillette, Wyo.); Abigail Whiston (Benton City, Wash.); Clara White (Emmett, Idaho); Deborah White (Glastonbury, Conn.); Katelyn Whitmer (Boise, Idaho); Trisha Wiehl (Smith Center, Kan.); Luke Wikoff (Sandpoint, Idaho); Morgan Wilding (Redding, Calif.); Shannon Wilkins (Rigby, Idaho); Lyndie Wilks (Sandpoint, Idaho); Samuel Willcuts (Caldwell, Idaho); Josiah Williams (Meridian, Idaho); Dustin Williams (Caldwell, Idaho); Delanie Williamson (Caldwell, Idaho); Maddux Willoughby (Lake Oswego, Ore.); Cody Wilson (Las Vegas, Nev.); Elizabeth Wilson (Twin Falls, Idaho); Lisa Winans (Middleton, Idaho); Margaret Woodbury (Victor, Idaho); Kama Woods (Middleton, Idaho); Savannah Worthington (Lynnwood, Wash.); Felicia Wright (Star, Idaho); Megan Wuori (Kimberly, Idaho); Sharon Yaniv-Lurya (Eagle, Idaho); Caden Yett (Caldwell, Idaho); Michael Yost (Longview, Wash.); Julia Zabandzhala (Everett, Wash.); John Zaklan (Caldwell, Idaho); Mario Zani (Gardner, Kan.); Nicole Zeltner (Boise, Idaho); David Zhuang (Boise, Idaho); Julia Zickefoose (Boise, Idaho); Kimberly Zink (Nampa, Idaho).

The post DEAN’S LIST AND PRESIDENTS LIST ANNOUNCED FOR THE SPRING 2026 SEMESTER appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Northwest Nazarene University is听participating听in the Pacific Intermountain Regional Node of the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME), a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen America’s semiconductor and microelectronics workforce.听The initiative was announced nationally this week by the SEMI Foundation and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the NNME connects industry,听education听and workforce partners to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing semiconductor and microelectronics sectors.听

Led by Boise State University, the Pacific Intermountain Regional Node serves Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Northern听California听and Hawaii. N麻豆原创 joins a nationwide network of more than 325 organizations working together to expand workforce pathways and prepare the next generation of talent for careers in microelectronics and advanced manufacturing.听

As part of the initiative, Northwest Nazarene University will receive approximately $80,000 during the first year to support undergraduate student research, host a one-day semiconductor camp for high school students from across the Treasure Valley and develop educational resources that will be shared across participating organizations throughout the region.听

“This opportunity allows N麻豆原创 to expand hands-on research experiences for our students while introducing local high school students to one of the fastest-growing industries in Idaho and the nation,” said听Dan Lawrence,听Professor of Physics and Engineering.听

At N麻豆原创, funding from the initiative will support:听

• Undergraduate student research opportunities in semiconductor and microelectronics-related fields听

• A one-day semiconductor camp introducing Treasure Valley high school students to semiconductor careers and technology听

• Curriculum development efforts that will contribute to a shared educational hub used across the Pacific Intermountain region听

• Collaboration with regional education,听industry听and workforce partners to strengthen talent pathways in Idaho听

The initiative comes at a time of significant growth within the semiconductor industry nationwide. According to a recent analysis cited by the SEMI Foundation, the United States is projected to face a shortage of听approximately 127,000听to 157,000 semiconductor and microelectronics workers by 2030.听

“N麻豆原创 has a long history of preparing students to serve and听lead in听their professions,” said听Lawrence. “By participating in this initiative, we can help meet workforce needs while providing meaningful opportunities for students to engage in research, innovation and real-world problem solving.”听

The National Network for Microelectronics Education was听established听to help address workforce shortages through a coordinated national strategy focused on expanding awareness of semiconductor careers, increasing workforce readiness and connecting learners directly to employment opportunities across the semiconductor ecosystem.听

For Northwest Nazarene University, participation in the initiative aligns with its commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers through hands-on learning, faculty听mentorship听and real-world research experiences.听

For more information about Northwest Nazarene University’s programs in science, engineering and technology, visit听.听

The post NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERISTY JOINS NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR WORKFORCE INITIATIVE appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Choosing a graduate program听isn鈥檛听just about the听credential听you鈥檙e听seeking,听it鈥檚听about all that comes with it. For working adults juggling careers,听families听and everything in between, going back to school should听

Whether听you鈥檙e听pursuing your degree听online听or in person, the right program should help you build meaningful connections both听actively and passively.听Because听let鈥檚听be honest: who you know still matters.听

First,听let鈥檚听talk about the听鈥减补蝉蝉颈惫别鈥�听side of networking. This is the kind that happens naturally when听you鈥檙e听in a program with other听like-minded听degree seekers.听Think听discussion boards, group projects or just a quick conversation before class starts. In a strong听grad听program, your peers听aren鈥檛听just听classmates,听they鈥檙e听professionals. Nurses, managers, entrepreneurs, social听workers听and educators. Over time, those casual interactions can turn into a professional network you听didn鈥檛听even realize you were building.听

Now, the听鈥渁肠迟颈惫别鈥�听side is where a program really shows its value. Does your school offer mentorship opportunities? Alumni connections? Career services that go beyond resume tips? The best听graduate programs for career growth and networking听intentionally create spaces where students can听connect:听virtual meetups, industry panels, LinkedIn听groups听or even collaborative capstone projects tied to real-world organizations.听

Like many working adults exploring听a听master鈥檚听program, networking might not be the first thing on your checklist. Flexibility,听affordability听and convenience usually come first. But听here鈥檚听the thing: a program that听only听delivers coursework is missing a huge opportunity to support your听long-term success.听

That鈥檚听where schools like听Northwest Nazarene University听(N麻豆原创) stand out. With a focus on community and connection, the people at N麻豆原创 understand that education is more than content;听it鈥檚听about relationships. Connections.听It鈥檚听what we mean when we say,听We听Do College Different.听Whether online or face-to-face, students are encouraged to engage,听collaborate听and grow alongside one another.听

And yes,听cost听matters too. For many prospective students searching for听affordable graduate programs with financial aid options,听it鈥檚听reassuring to know that financial aid is available, helping make your next step more accessible without sacrificing quality听or听connection.听

The post GRADUATE PROGRAMS THAT BUILD YOUR NETWORK (NOT JUST YOUR RESUME) appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Whether you鈥檝e already done some college dorm room tours or you鈥檙e still wondering what 鈥渟uite-style鈥� means, let鈥檚 break down what living on campus as a first-year student is really like鈥攁nd what you should know before move-in day next summer.

What Is First-Year Housing, Exactly?

Most colleges have specific dorms or residence halls reserved just for first-year students. These are typically where you鈥檒l meet your first college friends, join late-night study sessions and maybe discover how little sleep a human can actually handle.

Schools often have first-year housing requirements, meaning you have to live on campus your first year. This helps you settle into campus life, make friends and get used to being independent without jumping straight into adult living (like paying rent or fixing a leaky sink).

At schools like Northwest Nazarene University, first-year students are required to live on campus unless they meet certain exceptions. Trust me, though, it鈥檚 not a bad deal. Living on campus makes it so much easier to get to class, join events and grab a coffee at The Bean, N麻豆原创鈥檚 coffee shop, without needing a car.

Living on Campus vs. Off Campus: The Real Talk

Here鈥檚 the quick version:

• Living on campus = convenience, community and built-in support. You鈥檙e right near the dining hall, library and your classes.
• Living off campus = independence and privacy, but more responsibility (think bills, groceries and commuting).

As a first-year student, you鈥檒l benefit from the 鈥渓iving on campus鈥� experience. You鈥檒l have resident assistants (RAs) around to answer questions, host movie nights and make sure you鈥檙e not microwaving metal (yes, it happens).

Plus, there鈥檚 something special about late-night hallway conversations, spontaneous pizza runs and learning to coexist with a roommate who has very different sleep habits.

The Benefits of Living on Campus

There鈥檚 a reason colleges encourage students to stay in dorms their first year. Here鈥檚 what you gain from it:

• Instant community: Dorms make it easy to meet people and form friendships; some might last a lifetime.
• Better grades: Students who live on campus their first year often perform better academically. You鈥檙e just closer to everything鈥攕tudy groups, professors, tutoring centers.
• Less stress: No need to worry about paying separate bills or figuring out transportation.
• Opportunities galore: When you live on campus, you鈥檙e right in the middle of everything: clubs, sports, campus jobs and all the random fun stuff that makes college memorable.

A Peek Inside: What to Expect from a College Dorm

If you鈥檝e watched a few college dorm room tour videos on YouTube or TikTok, you鈥檝e probably seen everything from tiny double rooms to surprisingly nice suite-style setups.

Most dorms for first-year students are pretty simple: two beds, two desks and a shared closet. You鈥檒l likely share a bathroom with either a few suitemates or the whole floor (depends on the college). But the simplicity is part of the fun! You鈥檒l get creative decorating your space and learn the fine art of making ramen at 2 a.m.

Tips Before You Move In

• Communicate with your roommate early. Decide who鈥檚 bringing what: mini fridge, microwave, etc.
• Pack light. Dorms are cozy (read: small).

Get involved. Attend dorm events and talk to people, even if it feels awkward at first.

Final Thoughts

Your first-year housing experience is about more than just where you sleep. It鈥檚 about starting fresh; learning, growing and building community. Whether you鈥檙e at a big state school or a smaller campus like Northwest Nazarene University, dorm life will shape your first-year story in amazing ways.

So, take a deep breath. You鈥檙e about to make memories that鈥檒l stick with you long after move-out day.

The post FIRST-YEAR HOUSING: WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLLEGE DORMS appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Dr. Lowe brings more than three decades of experience in Christian higher education, including leadership in academic administration, accreditation, faculty听development听and student success initiatives. Most recently, he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at Olivet Nazarene University, where he led the university鈥檚 Academic Affairs division and helped guide institution-wide initiatives related to academic innovation, online education,听persistence听and accreditation.听

In his role at N麻豆原创, Dr. Lowe will oversee the University鈥檚 academic programs,听faculty听and academic operations, helping advance N麻豆原创鈥檚 mission of transformational education grounded in faith,听scholarship听and service.听

Throughout the search process, Dr. Lowe听demonstrated听a deep commitment to Christian higher education, academic excellence and the transformational mission that defines N麻豆原创.听

鈥淔ollowing a thorough national search process that included outstanding candidates from across Christian higher education, it became clear that Dr. Lowe possesses the combination of academic leadership, strategic vision, deep Christian faith and commitment to student success that will serve N麻豆原创 exceptionally well in this important role,鈥� said Dr. Mark DeMichael, President of Northwest Nazarene University.听鈥淒uring the search process, I was particularly impressed by Dr. Lowe’s commitment to Christian higher education, his belief in the transformative power of discipleship-centered learning and his enthusiasm for N麻豆原创’s mission to develop God’s creative and redemptive agents in the world. His passion for integrating faith and learning, investing in听faculty听and preparing students to live lives of service and leadership resonated deeply with the values and aspirations of our听University听community.鈥�听

Prior to his current leadership role, Dr. Lowe served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the University Honors Program at Olivet Nazarene University. During his tenure, he led efforts related to curriculum development, academic restructuring, faculty听collaboration听and student research opportunities.听

Dr. Lowe earned a Ph.D. and MA in History from Ohio University and a听bachelor鈥檚 degree in History Education听from Olivet Nazarene University, where he graduated summa cum laude.听

In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Lowe is an accomplished historian and published author whose work has appeared in books,听journals听and national publications.听

鈥�It鈥檚听an听honor听to be named Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northwest Nazarene University,鈥� said Lowe.听鈥淣麻豆原创 has听such听a rich听history and听a听strong reputation听for academic quality. For these and many other听reasons, it is well-positioned to thrive into the next decade. I am excited to听be a part of听the leadership team at N麻豆原创 and my wife, Kim, and I are听looking forward to听joining听the N麻豆原创 community.鈥�听

Northwest Nazarene University looks forward to the leadership and experience Dr. Lowe will bring as the University continues to strengthen its academic programs and invest in student success.听

The post NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY APPOINTS DR. STEPHEN LOWE AS VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for in the days ahead you yourself may need much help. When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down; when a tree falls, whether south or north, the die is cast, for there it lies. If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. God鈥檚 ways are as mysterious as the pathway of the wind and as the manner in which a human spirit is infused into the little body of a baby while it is yet in its mother鈥檚 womb. Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow鈥攑erhaps it all will.
– Ecclesiastes 11.1-6, The Living Bible

If you鈥檝e ever been a parent鈥攐r for all of us who鈥檝e ever been a child鈥攜ou know the subtle difference between maybe and perhaps. When I was growing up, maybe usually meant 鈥減robably not.鈥� Maybe was the stall tactic of adults everywhere.

But “perhaps”鈥攏ow that word feels different. It鈥檚 gentler. More open. There鈥檚 a tone to perhaps that holds more possibility than postponement. Perhaps is quieter than certainty, but somehow humbler and more hopeful, too.

Here in Ecclesiastes 11, the Teacher dares to tell us that part of what it means to live by faith is to discover the power of perhaps.

In Ecclesiastes, the narrator is often referred to as The Teacher, and The Teacher speaks to us in the language of wisdom literature鈥攁 style of writing that acknowledges the complexity of real life. If Proverbs and Psalms are the ancient world鈥檚 memes, Ecclesiastes might be considered ancient Israel鈥檚 philosophy class. It says things like:

Be generous鈥攁fter all, you might be the one needing help someday.
When clouds get heavy, rain will fall.
When trees fall, they lie where they fall鈥攗nless, of course, you have a chainsaw!
If you wait for perfect conditions, you鈥檒l never get anything done; and
God鈥檚 ways are as mysterious as wind and womb.

And finally:

鈥淜eep on sowing your seed鈥� for you do not know which will grow鈥攑erhaps it all will.鈥�

We often imagine faith as instant, ironclad obedience鈥擥od speaks and we jump. But scripture shows us something gentler:

“Perhaps” is the space where love refuses to coerce.

As good Arminians, we believe God invites us far more than forcing us. Faith is not always about an immediate yes. Sometimes it is perhaps鈥攊t鈥檚 a door left unlatched, it鈥檚 light leaking through the hinge.

The Teacher knows this. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e warned not to wait for perfect conditions. Faith rarely begins with certainty. Faith often begins with holy hesitation.

Not rebellion. Not fear. But the pause where trust takes its first breath.

The Teacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us that while I often want God to speak in imperatives… “Just tell me what to do, Lord…” “Give me a map…” “Make the future obvious…” But these require little or no faith.

Instead, there鈥檚 perhaps. It鈥檚 a word that kneels before it speaks. The word that knows it might be wrong, yet chooses to love anyway.

Humility doesn鈥檛 demand full clarity before stepping out. Humility acts because God is faithful鈥攅ven when the outcomes are unclear.

Hope doesn鈥檛 begin with absolutes. Hope begins with perhaps鈥攊t鈥檚 the smallest opening through which tomorrow learns to breathe.

Even despair can鈥檛 close that door completely.

The world tells us hope requires certainty, but The Teacher says hope requires sowing鈥攅ven when the soil looks unpromising, even when the sky looks threatening, even when you鈥檙e not sure anything will grow.

鈥淜eep on sowing your seed,鈥� we鈥檙e told. 鈥淧erhaps it will ALL grow.鈥�

That鈥檚 not na茂ve. That鈥檚 hope!

Some of us hear the word perhaps and think it sounds weak. Indecisive. Half-hearted.

But listen closely:

“Perhaps” is mercy spoken softly enough to sometimes be mistaken for doubt.
“Perhaps” you are not finished.
“Perhaps” this wound will not be the end.
“Perhaps” God is working in ways you cannot yet see.
“Perhaps” your doubt is not betrayal but the doorway through which trust must first pass.

The “perhaps” of God鈥檚 mercy often whispers when we expect thunder.

We live in a culture addicted to certainty鈥攁nd we shout certainty today like it鈥檚 a weapon. We depend on certainty to win arguments鈥攊t鈥檚 used to shame or silence.

But in scripture, “perhaps” is never a weapon. “Perhaps” invites.

It makes space for God鈥檚 surprise. It makes space for others to grow. It keeps holiness from becoming harshness.

In our tradition, holiness is always love shaped like Christ. And love鈥攖rue love鈥攔isks itself on “perhaps.”

Wise people learn that the future is not written on stone tablets. Instead, it’s often in pencil鈥攊t鈥檚 erasable, revisable, merciful. “Perhaps” is the sound of God still writing.

So we keep giving. Keep loving. Keep sowing. Keep risking our lives on the goodness of God.

Because 鈥測ou never know which seed will grow鈥攑erhaps it all will.鈥�

Yes, perhaps鈥攑erhaps it will!

——————–

Pastor, may you have the courage to live with perhaps when certainty is unavailable.

May your faith be strong enough to doubt honestly鈥攁nd humble enough to leave room for surprise.

And may you discover, perhaps as you cast your bread upon the waters, or perhaps as you sow your seed in every season, that God鈥攕till gracious, still merciful, still revising鈥攊s already here. Yes, perhaps it all will!

This article was originally created as a devotional that was shared at the Spring 2026 meeting of the N麻豆原创 Board of Trustees.

The post The Power of Perhaps appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Name:

Fun Fact About You:
I have spent 92% of my teaching career in the same school and position. Dedicating so much of my time to one community has helped me develop relationships that will last a lifetime. It has become a home away from home for myself and my family.听

Favorite N麻豆原创 Memory So Far:
Meeting with Robin Gilbert to discuss my principal internship. Robin has more real-life experiences in the field of education than my previous college professors. She shares these experiences as a way to help her students grow and learn. When talking with Robin, it feels like I am speaking with a colleague. In the graduate program, I feel like we have all been treated like professionals.听

Favorite Thing About N麻豆原创:
I appreciate having professors that are or have been in my position as an educator or leader. In my past experiences most of my professors went straight to being college professors following graduate school. Thus far, all my professors at N麻豆原创 have been able to share very valuable real-life experiences. I also love that N麻豆原创 is a small community! I have had many of the same people enrolled in most of my courses.听

How has your experience at N麻豆原创 shaped your faith, guided your calling, and influenced the way you serve or connect with others?
My experience at N麻豆原创 has given me the faith to pursue a leadership career and has guided me towards that. Beginning my program, I thought maybe I would be a consulting teacher or coach someday; but now I feel a strong pull toward building administration. I have been provided with opportunities that have given me the faith in myself to pursue something I previously wouldn鈥檛 have considered. It has given me the confidence to take on more leadership roles and embrace the more challenging aspects of being a leader.听

N麻豆原创 students frequently express that we do college different. How do you believe N麻豆原创 does college different?
Northwest Nazarene University focuses on the concepts we need to know and how to apply them. Graduate school this go-around feels less like a check list and more like a learning experience.听

The post PROFILES: DELANIE WILLIAMSON,听GRADUATE STUDENT appeared first on Northwest Nazarene University.

Future Plans:
Currently, my future plans are to graduate and begin my career as a nurse, as well as continue my education in the FNP program here at N麻豆原创.听

Grad Year:听2025
Hometown:听Boise, Idaho听

Fun Fact About You:
I lived overseas for 4 years. I lived in Switzerland for two years and the Netherlands for two years.听

Favorite N麻豆原创 Memory So Far:
The Silent Disco! An event where everyone has headphones listening to different music and everyone鈥檚 dancing. I think the coolest part about it is if you ever take your headphones off, it鈥檚 completely silent, but everyone鈥檚 still dancing and having a great time; it鈥檚 just a surreal experience.听

Favorite Thing About N麻豆原创:
My favorite thing about N麻豆原创 is the culture and community that the staff and students have worked together to create. I believe that it is truly unique to N麻豆原创 and has been cultivated by the caring and godly people here.听

Something Valuable You Learned at N麻豆原创:
While the goal is important, it鈥檚 also important to slow down and enjoy the journey.听

How has your experience at N麻豆原创 shaped your faith, guided your calling, and influenced the way you serve or connect with others?
I came to N麻豆原创 unsure of what I wanted to do, and through countless conversations with peers, mentors and faculty, N麻豆原创 helped me find my way to nursing and the desire to help people. This helped shape my faith through faith-based learning, as I can see what it means to help someone as a whole person and not just as a patient or through an academic lens.听

N麻豆原创 students frequently express that we do college different. How do you believe N麻豆原创 does college different?
Through the care and compassion the teachers and staff show to the students. You go to N麻豆原创, you truly feel as though everybody wants you to succeed and will do anything to help you achieve your goals. At N麻豆原创, you feel seen as a person and not just another student that鈥檚 in a massive lecture hall. At N麻豆原创, you will have a personal connection with all of your professors, all of whom take a genuine interest in your learning.听

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Fun Fact About You:
I love roller skating!听

Favorite N麻豆原创 Memory So Far:
Some of the students who lived in Corlett at the time asked me if I would bake a dessert for a bake-off for snack night. There were so many delicious desserts! It was a great night of fun, treats and games. What a privilege to spend time with such incredible students!听

How has your experience at N麻豆原创 shaped your faith, guided your calling, and influenced the way you serve or connect with others?
When I first started working at N麻豆原创, it was such an eye-opening experience鈥攊n the best possible way. From day one, everyone I met was so friendly and welcoming!听

I had always desired to work in a place that shared my Christian beliefs, but I truly had no idea just how wonderful it would be. Of course, no place is perfect, but N麻豆原创 has been an incredible place to work.听

I鈥檝e always felt my calling is to be an encourager of people, and in my role as Student Services Coordinator on the Student Life team, I have the privilege of fulfilling my calling in getting to know and sow into the students that I get to meet. Being available to them by listening, praying with them and being invited into some of the special moments that matter in their lives is my favorite part of every day. N麻豆原创 creates an atmosphere where we have the freedom to pour into our students鈥� lives and build meaningful connections鈥攁nd that鈥檚 something I treasure.听

N麻豆原创 students frequently express that we do college different. How do you believe N麻豆原创 does college different?
I know many have already shared similar thoughts, but it鈥檚 worth saying again: N麻豆原创 truly feels like a community. We care deeply about our students鈥攖heir growth, their transformation and their learning journey. It may sound like a clich茅, but here, every student matters. They鈥檙e never just a number; they鈥檙e valued individuals who become part of our family, and we鈥檙e committed to walking alongside them every step of the way. It is one of the many reasons I love working here.听

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