The National Park College (NPC) Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) recently named Stephanie Gisler the 2025 CPI Student of the Year.
Gisler, a student in NPC’s 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.
“It meant being able to come to school at 42 years old with not a lot of support at home,” Gisler said. “It meant that I had childcare for my son when otherwise I couldn’t 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.”
Gisler credited her instructors in the RN program for their guidance and encouragement.
“All of my instructors, I’ve been able to go to them and ask any question I’ve had, and they have had an answer for me. If they didn’t, they found it,” she said. “The RN program is incredible. We have incredible instructors, an incredible director, incredible dean. Everybody genuinely cares about you.”
For Gisler, earning her degree is more than a personal achievement; it’s a life-changing opportunity for her family.
“I’m a single mom. I have four kids, three of them are still at home,” she said. “It means that I’m going to be able to support them independently, and that’s huge. Nowadays, it’s really hard to make it on a single person’s income. But because of this program and this college and all the support I’ve gotten, it’s possible.”
CPI Director LaTaschya Harris praised Gisler’s determination.
“Stephanie is the epitome of resilience and perseverance, as is evident in her journey to becoming a registered nurse,” Harris said.
Gisler encouraged others to take the steps toward earning a degree and trust the support systems in place at NPC.
“Don’t be scared to take the leap of faith,” she said. “There are going to be people to support you, people that you never would have thought. There are so many organizations here at National Park College that are going to be there to support you. Don’t be scared, just do it, jump in. Ms. Harris always says, ‘Let’s go.’ You’ll have support even if you don’t feel like you have any, you will.”