Meet the 2012 Next Steps Scholars

This year's Next Step Scholars include a native of Kenya whose goal is to make education possible in the future for more African girls, a world traveler and a student who aspires to advocate for children who was for a time herself a homeless teenager, among other outstanding students.

Mary Crowell

Olympic College

GPA: 3.9

Studying: Nursing

Mary Crowell says she was “born with a calling for adventure.” She loves the outdoors, has traveled abroad extensively and hopes to one day become a nurse practitioner. Her instructor at Olympic College’s School of Nursing, Mari Van Court, observes that Mary “demonstrated from early in her clinical rotation that she understood what patient-focused care is all about.”

Another of Crowell’s instructors, Suzy Cook, notes that Crowell is active in professional development and mentoring. “Outside of the classroom, she has participated in the student-led mentorship program. She has assisted underclassmen in acclimating and adjusting to life as a nursing student.”

Even while working as a nurse tech, traveling and helping to organize professional development events, Crowell has found time to volunteer and perform community service, including volunteering at a flu immunization clinic, providing education and vaccinations and serving as a volunteer at a local blood pressure clinic.

Crowell lives in Gig Harbor.

Noelle Gichohi

Highline Community College

GPA: 3.6

Studying: Healthcare Leadership

Noelle Gichohi wears many hats as a student, first-generation immigrant and the mother of two kids under the age of eight.

While a student at Highline Community College, Gichohi served as a writing consultant.

“I had to wear my multi-tasking hat. I was up at the crack of dawn, got my kids ready for the day and was on time for every appointment. Being a writing consultant taught me valuable time management lessons, not to mention team work.”

Angi Caster, an English professor at Highline, recalls Gichohi’s transformation since coming from her native land of Africa nine years ago. “Of all the students I have taught in my 30-year career, Noelle is among the top ten as measured by oral and written literacies, compassion, tolerance, service and promise.”

Gichohi says her goal is “to be a voice that will encourage other immigrant women like myself to taste the wonders of attending school, the liberation that higher education brings.”

Brought up in a village in Kenya, she realized at a young age that there was a disparity between the few educated women in her village and those who were not. After earning her degree, she intends to work in collaboration with the Kenyan Government to ensure equal treatment of girls and boys.

Gichohi lives in Federal Way.

Donald Missel

Tacoma Community College

GPA: 3.8

Studying: Nursing

Donald Missel has already set a goal of eventually earning a Master in Nursing.

One of Missel’s TCC Nursing instructors, Rich Maffeo, observes that Missel “is a student who is immediately invested in everything he does. During his time at TCC he has proved himself to be an astute and forward-thinking student who quickly rose to academic challenges.”

Maffeo says he is impressed with Missel’s penchant for teamwork and cites his participation in a number of activities including serving as mentor coordinator for the TCC Student Nursing Organization. Missel “was very instrumental in the success of the mentor program,” says Nursing instructor Julie Benson.

Missel also participated in a yearlong process to revise TCC’s nursing curriculum. In addition, Missel was selected as a member of the 2012 All-Washington Academic Team and volunteers for a number of organizations including Franciscan Hospice and Relay for Life. Missel plans to continue sharing his skills as a volunteer at the Neighborhood Free Clinic of Tacoma while he attends UW Tacoma.

Missel lives in Tacoma.

Joyce Moore

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

GPA: 3.8

Studying: Communications

Joyce Moore has already proven herself as a communicator. In the summer of 2011 she updated the City of Pacific’s policy and procedure manual while working as an intern. Working primarily on her own, she took on the daunting task of updating a manual that was over a decade old.

Moore has been active in community service for many years, including as PTA president at her children’s elementary school. She has shared her communication and event management skills in a number of volunteer opportunities including a Pennies for Patients drive and an internship for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Her professor at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Paul Gerhardt, says “One thing, out of many things, which impresses me most about Ms. Moore is her wonderful ability to lead others with respect, tact and insight. She unswervingly leads by example and gives service to others whole-heartedly.”

“When I imagine myself studying, working and serving the community that has shaped my life,” says Moore, “it is an inspirational high point.”

“The University of Washington has revitalized the downtown Tacoma core with a wonderful campus of restored historic buildings. Graduating from UWT is a dream that will have the same effect on me.”

Moore lives in Tacoma.

Catherine Rhodes

Pierce College Puyallup

GPA: 3.9

Studying: Communications

Catherine Rhodes never believed she would have the opportunity to attend college.

Rhodes recalls of her tough childhood raised in an ultra-orthodox religion. “We were raised in a cult. Public education was never an option for my family, and as a result I was homeschooled along with my siblings and received my GED from Piece College by the age of 18.”

The mother of two young children now has a new vision for her future. “I would like to start teaching at the high school level, but eventually would love to get my Ph.D. and teach at a university.”

Linda Saarela, her instructor at Pierce College, said that “a smile and a warm greeting are the norm when meeting Katie. She has excelled academically, earning an outstanding GPA while taking challenging classes. Working with others is her strength as well. Katie is respectful of others and is a positive role model. As Katie continues in her education, I believe she will continue to use her gifts to excel. She is directed and committed and she desires to meet and exceed expectations.”

Pierce College Mathematics Instructor Anthony Granata says when Katie enrolled in his calculus course, “I knew immediately that she would be a leader in the classroom.”

Rhodes lives in Puyallup.

Sarah Sandine

South Puget Sound Community College

GPA: 3.9

Studying: Nursing

Since observing her first operation as a student, Sarah Sandine knew what kind of nurse she wanted to be. “I quickly realized I would enjoy being a pre-operative or PACU nurse.”

Sandine has participated in a variety of public service activities. She served as a volunteer student nurse at Group Health Urgent Care, the Washington State Department of Information Services Health Fair and PSPH Diabetic Education at St. Martin’s College and participated in this year’s Public Health Legislative Day.

While going to school and volunteering, Sandine has also been working since 2009 as the treatment program administrator for the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling.

Her nursing professor at South Puget Sound Community College, Lucinda Lasater, says that Sandine “always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition. She is definitely a leader, both personally and professionally. Her superior judgment and positive outlook ensures a logical and practical approach to her endeavors as a future colleague and professional nurse.”

Sandine lives in Olympia.

Kira Stahl

Green River Community College

GPA: 3.7

Studying: Social Welfare

Kira Stahl is a mother and aspiring Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children (CASA). She has volunteered for many organizations including the Maple Valley Food Bank and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

As a teenager she overcame being both homeless and the victim of domestic violence. She says the challenges of her upbringing are what have inspired her to pursue her career as a social worker. “I was often involved in trying to find social services for my family. I hope to one day to see access to social services be an equal opportunity for everyone who needs them.”

Her instructor at Green River Community College, Carlos Adams, says, “her compassion for the welfare of others lies at the heart of her willingness to understand the difficulties people face.”

Adams predicts that at UW Tacoma Stahl will “no doubt become one of those students who are singled out for her intelligence, compassion and ability. I see in the future Kira being held up as a role model for future students.”

Stahl lives in Maple Valley.

About the Next Step Scholarship

In 1998, 30 local donors established the Next Step Scholarship endowment to provide significant support to allow one student each from seven local community colleges to complete their bachelor's degrees at the University of Washington Tacoma. The scholarship provides $7,000 per year for two years to each student. The scholarship is based on merit - a minimum GPA of 3.5 is required - and students are nominated by their community college. Selection criteria include faculty recommendations, strength of coursework, personal statement, honors, leadership and community service.