National Park College (NPC) LPN student Jinny Winchell has been selected as NPC’s
TRIO Student Success Services (TRIO) student of the year.
Each year a student is selected who embodies the true spirit of the TRIO program,
is doing well academically and uses the resources provided to them through the program.
TRIO Student Support Services program coordinator Suzanne Hendrix said, “This year’s
TRIO student of the year has overcome many obstacles to get here.”
Winchell moved to the United States with her parents and brother at the age of 18
and became a U.S. citizen. When her husband of 20 years became ill in 2012 with Chronic
Crohn’s disease, she also discovered that both her father and husband had cancer.
She made the choice to stay home and become a caregiver. During this time, she began
thinking about nursing school.
Now at the age of 43, Winchell has decided to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.
She has a disabled husband and four children, two of whom still live at home. “At
this time in my life, I know exactly what I want and how to achieve it. I am willing
to put in as much time and effort as is required of me,” she said.
Winchell is a stellar student, but it has not come easily. She said she has had many
moments of fear and doubt, spent long hours studying, creating study groups and finding
creative ways to learn. She took advantage of campus support services when she recognized
she needed help. “Even with so many great TRIO students, Jinny stood out. We didn’t
have to go beyond the fact that this student has spent 79 hours receiving tutoring
in the Academic Success Center. That speaks about her willingness to succeed,” noted
Hendrix. Despite her obstacles, Winchell has remained focused on the goal of graduating
and starting a career in nursing to help support her family.
