Celeena Johnson, ’22, recipient of the William L. Newton Memorial NAU-Yavapai Fund scholarship shares how the impact of scholarships gave her the opportunity to complete her degree.
Why did you choose to pursue your degree with NAU-Yavapai
As a student from a rural community, the NAU–Yavapai cohort was an ideal educational format for me. The intimate learning environment deepened my knowledge, cultivated a family atmosphere, and enhanced my sense of belonging. Having the same core group of professors and students created a seamless academic experience and immediately gave us hands-on participation by immersing us in the public school system. NAU’s Student Teaching Intern Certificate program also built my confidence in the classroom and formulated my love for working with middle school students.
How did scholarships enhance your academic experience?
I live in Camp Verde, Arizona, and to complete my degree, I drove to Prescott (more than 30 miles each way) to attend classes. The William L. Newton Memorial NAU-Yavapai Fund scholarship relieved the burden of gas prices each week.
Scholarship support also allowed me to fund my prep course materials and all four teaching certificates. It was awesome to jump-start my career before graduating. Following my time at NAU,
I’ll be teaching English Language Arts at Camp Verde Middle School.
Did your scholarship help you feel a part of the Lumberjack community?
Absolutely! One of my proudest moments was traveling to Flagstaff to cross the stage during commencement with my cohort and participate in the College of Education graduate luncheon.
