Hats off to NAU employee graduates

Danielle Donaldson on the steps of Old Main

          By Danielle Donaldson, assistant director, Undergraduate
          Admissions and Orientation

As an employee in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, encouraging students to consider higher education is my job. When it came time to pursue a master’s degree, it was a no-brainer, and with NAU’s Educational Aid Registration Permit, the choice could not have been easier.

Through a policy governed by the Arizona Board of Regents, NAU employees save thousands of dollars each semester by taking advantage of the affordable tuition rates offered to state university employees and their qualifying dependents. The form is easily completed online, and once applied to your student account, the savings are beautiful.

As I prepare to receive my degree, I know that choosing to complete the Master of Education in Educational Leadership program was one of the best decisions I made. Research and networking within my field, setting a new bar for my family and knowing that I can persist made the two-year journey worthwhile.

To the students who work 40 hours per week only to continue working after hours. To the students who traded their free-time, family-time and me-time for homework. To the students who considered quitting, but persisted. To the students who will shortly hold a diploma in hand …

We made it! Our hard work and dedication has paid off.

Congratulations, Class of 2016!