National Park College (NPC) student Patricia Dobbs was awarded the Elisabeth Wagner
Scholarship. She is seeking her Associate of Science in Education degree with plans
to transfer to Henderson State University. The scholarship is part of the Elisabeth
Wagner grant. The award amount of $500 can be used toward tuition, books and fees.
As a Hot Springs native, Dobbs explained that NPC allowed her to further her education
while staying in her community, giving her the opportunity to see the advancements
the College has made. She said NPC offered the flexibility of online learning she
needed to continue her education while maintaining a full-time job and being a parent.
“My husband and I have seven children, four biological, legal guardians of two and
one foster child, so flexibility is very important to us.”
As a teacher Dobbs hopes to be a positive influence in the minds of the next generation.
“I hope to be the smiling face that a child looks forward to coming to school to see
each and every day to learn with,” stated Dobbs.
Assistant professor of Education Lindsey Vondenstein shared, “I have had the privilege
of having Patricia as a student in multiple Education classes during her time at NPC
and she always impresses me with her work ethic. She is incredibly hard-working and
has stepped up to every challenge presented to her. She goes above and beyond the
minimum expectations on all projects and class assignments. I do not doubt that she
will be a wonderful teacher and an asset to her future students.”
“This scholarship was such a blessing,” stated Dobbs. “It has allowed me the extra
finances to not stress with purchasing books for the next two semesters.”
Dobbs would like to encourage people not to give up on their passions. “It may not
happen in the timing that we originally plan, but it’s never too late to follow your
dreams,” she noted.
