ANC Student Snapshot - January 2020 - Bobbi Griffin

January 2020 ANC Student Snapshot recipient, Bobbie Griffin

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗡, 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲

Bobbie Griffin of Caruthersville has been named one of Arkansas Northeastern College’s Student Snapshot Recipients for January. Griffin was nominated by ANC Instructor in Art Holt Brasher.

Griffin is working toward her Associate in Arts Degree at ANC with plans to transfer to a four-year university to complete her bachelor’s degree in the future. She plans to become an occupational therapist and has found Arkansas Northeastern College to be a wonderful place to begin her education. “I chose ANC because I felt like it was the best fit for me. It’s really close to home and super affordable. To be completely honest, after high school I wasn’t prepared to go off to a huge four-year university. ANC was the best choice for me.”

Brasher, who nominated Griffin for the Student Snapshot recognition, has seen her evolve throughout the fall semester and has become a model student. “Bobbie can be very shy, but given the opportunity she has bloomed over the semester so far and gives it her all. She’s kind to her classmates and has become one of the voices I hear a lot. Her work is top notch, she makes A’s consistently and does so while being enjoyable, kind, and part of the class. She’s a student whom I wish many would model themselves after due to her courtesy, compassion, and willingness to learn. She even will sometimes speak after class to further her knowledge,” said Brasher.

While Griffin has emerged as an excellent ANC student, she acknowledges that the idea of college was a bit scary to her at first. “I started college right out of high school. I was 17 at the time and extremely nervous and excited. A lot of people couldn’t believe that I was going straight to college with no break in between. I’ve always been super driven, and just excited to learn and grow as I go along. I have the best family support system behind me and I always have. I try not to let anything in my personal life get in the way of my dreams.”

In addition to excelling in the classroom, Griffin has become involved in a couple of student organizations at ANC. She is a member of the Life Line Club. Lifeline Student Outreach is a service and awareness group. The main purpose is to identify and serve students with a specific need, whether academic, physical, medical, financial or individual and work, toward total awareness on the part of others. She is also a member of the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society. “Both of these organizations helped get me involved with the community and just helping others who are in need. It is a real honor to be a part of them both and being around genuinely nice people who want to see me succeed,” added Griffin.

Griffin has excellent advice for those considering college, “Choosing where to attend college can be super stressful, but my best advice to those who are having trouble would be to just go with your gut. If that school has everything that you want, go for it. Try not to let anyone interfere with your decision. Decide what is best for you and your future.”

Fortunately, Bobbie Griffin has found that Arkansas Northeastern College has everything she wants, and she is thriving in college.

ANC Student Snapshot - January 2020 - Nikki Pearson

ANC Student Snapshot recipient for January 2020, Nikki Pearson

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘
𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗞𝗜 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮

Arkansas Northeastern College is proud to announce Nikki Pearson as one of its
Student Snapshot recipients for January. Pearson, a Manila native, is majoring in
nursing and was nominated by ANC Nursing Instructor Dr. Kim Weathers.

“Nikki is always very well prepared for class and presents herself in a professional
and thoughtful manner. She continuously thinks of new and innovative ideas of ways
the class can reach out to the community,” said Weathers.

Pearson says she chose the Associate Degree Nursing Program because she wants
to help people and because nursing is ingrained in her as she has generations of
nurses in her family. Still, she has explored other interests and nursing will become
her third career. She became a hairdresser at 17 followed by a career as a flight
attendant for United Airlines before deciding to become a nurse.

She is excited about this new phase in her life, and enjoys her time outside of the
classroom. “I am a married mother of two fantastic boys. I love adventure, meeting
new people, and yard work.”

Arkansas Northeastern College was the perfect choice for Pearson. She
cites its closeness to home, affordability, and small class sizes as her
primary reasons for choosing to attend ANC, which is the beginning of her
new career goals. “I plan to continue my nursing education to possibly
earn a master’s degree. I am unsure of which exact field I’d like to work in,
but so far I have enjoyed the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Labor and
Delivery. I plan to work at St. Bernard’s,” added Pearson.

Pearson touts ANC faculty for providing excellent instruction that really prepares
students for wonderful careers. “My favorite classes so far at ANC have been
Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Mrs. Rayder provided the foundation on
the study of the human body, which has proven invaluable to me in the
nursing program.”

While Pearson admits that the program is rigorous, she acknowledges that the
instructors care about students. “My advice to those considering college is to
start at ANC. The faculty care so much about their students’ success.”

In addition to her studies, Pearson is actively involved in the ADN Student Nurse Club
and has participated in free community health fairs as well as being a part of fund-
raisers for worthwhile organizations such as the Humane Society and LeBonheur
Children’s Hospital.

Overall, Pearson has had a great experience as a student at Arkansas
Northeastern College. She is preparing for an excellent career and understands
the struggle of being a parent and a student, but recognizes the future rewards
to her current sacrifices.

“To anyone who thinks they are too old, or too busy to get an education; I have
to say if I can do it you can. It’s hard work but it’s attainable. I like to will things
into existence so I’m a firm believer in making a claim on your future and it WILL
happen!”