National Park College (NPC) named Katherine Hughes as the December student of the
month.
Hughes is a criminal justice student who intends to work for the National Forest Service
as a Law Enforcement Ranger.
As a former National Park Technology Center (NPTC) student, Hughes was familiar with
the NPC community and atmosphere, which influenced her decision to remain here for
her associate degree. “NPC has given me a chance to better myself through education,”
she noted.
NPC assistant professor of criminal justice James Montgomery said, “Katherine Hughes
is a role model for doing college the right way. She has the ability to excel, evidenced
by her being on the President’s List every semester she has been at NPC, with a 4.0
GPA and an invitation to join PTK. Her work ethic is even more impressive. Katherine
turns in assignments as soon as they are available, and asks for more. If we have
a 2:30 lab session, I know I need to have all of the equipment unlocked before 2:00,
because Ms. Hughes will be there 30 minutes early getting her supplies and planning
for a successful session. She has a true service orientation, and as she finishes
her work ahead of her classmates, she always turns to help her classmates find success.
She has focused on a narrow niche of the criminal justice system, with plans to become
a US Forest Service Law Enforcement Ranger. This is a great career path that few even
know exists, and fewer aspire to attain. Katherine has been an enthusiastic member
of the Nighthawk family since she began coming to NPC from Fountain Lake High School
as part of the NPTC Criminal Justice program.”
She credits her professors for always encouraging and pushing her to do her best.
She also recognizes her own personal growth. “Being student of the month has shown
me that I have grown as a person since high school. I have put a lot more of my time
and focus into my education and have had amazing professors to help along the way,”
she stated.
