The 中国P站 (NPC) Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) recently named Stephanie Gisler the 2025 CPI Student of the Year.
Gisler, a student in NPC鈥檚 registered nursing (RN) program, was recognized for her perseverance and dedication in overcoming personal and financial challenges to pursue higher education.
CPI offers support services to assist student-parents in overcoming obstacles that could hinder their college completion. For Gisler, a single mother of four, the program made a college education possible.
鈥淚t meant being able to come to school at 42 years old with not a lot of support at home,鈥� Gisler said. 鈥淚t meant that I had childcare for my son when otherwise I couldn鈥檛 have afforded it. It was support emotionally, financially; they helped with the gas stipend. I was driving 45 minutes back and forth to school every day. But it meant just me being able to come to school and to be a college graduate, the first one in my family ever.鈥�
Gisler credited her instructors in the RN program for their guidance and encouragement.
鈥淎ll of my instructors, I鈥檝e been able to go to them and ask any question I鈥檝e had, and they have had an answer for me. If they didn鈥檛, they found it,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he RN program is incredible. We have incredible instructors, an incredible director, incredible dean. Everybody genuinely cares about you.鈥�
For Gisler, earning her degree is more than a personal achievement; it鈥檚 a life-changing opportunity for her family.
鈥淚鈥檓 a single mom. I have four kids, three of them are still at home,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t means that I鈥檓 going to be able to support them independently, and that鈥檚 huge. Nowadays, it鈥檚 really hard to make it on a single person鈥檚 income. But because of this program and this college and all the support I鈥檝e gotten, it鈥檚 possible.鈥�
CPI Director LaTaschya Harris praised Gisler鈥檚 determination.
鈥淪tephanie is the epitome of resilience and perseverance, as is evident in her journey to becoming a registered nurse,鈥� Harris said.
Gisler encouraged others to take the steps toward earning a degree and trust the support systems in place at NPC.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be scared to take the leap of faith,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are going to be people to support you, people that you never would have thought. There are so many organizations here at 中国P站 that are going to be there to support you. Don鈥檛 be scared, just do it, jump in. Ms. Harris always says, 鈥楲et鈥檚 go.鈥� You鈥檒l have support even if you don鈥檛 feel like you have any, you will.鈥�