06/10/2026
Rooted in Logan County’s tradition of investing in education, the Northeastern Junior College (NJC)
Foundation serves as the philanthropic heartbeat of NJC in Sterling. Established in 1980 as a 501(c)(3)
charitable organization, the Foundation exists to open doors for students and to strengthen the college
through scholarships, program support, and campus enhancements.
NJC Foundation’s outlook is simple. Our mission is to create a pathway of giving and investing in the
continued success of NJC. We envision a future where all individuals have access to resources to thrive at NJC.
They are fortunate to function in a community where so many people share the same vision and seek to
support the next generation of learners and workforce.
Throughout its history, the NJC Foundation has been guided by strong, visionary leadership. Alumni,
partners, and friends have stepped up to serve on the Board of Directors. Today, the board is led by
President Bob Carpio, with Chip Steger, Vice President; Joe Patterson, Treasurer; Mark Kokes, Alumni
Association President; Karla Rosas, Advisory Council Member. Board Members include Kelly Lowery, Todd
Thomas, Britney Weers, and Lyndsey King. Executive Director, Christina Gesford, joined NJC Foundation and
Alumni Relations in February.
Each year, the Foundation coordinates and awards scholarships and grants that help students from across
northeast Colorado access an affordable, high-quality education often through a single, streamlined
application. Hundreds of Foundation scholarships and grants are available annually, including donor-funded
awards, NJC HOPE and Vision scholarships, and matches made possible through local donor support. This
commitment reflects the Foundation’s core values - student success, community partnership, integrity,
stewardship, and engagement - guiding its work to help every learner thrive at NJC. Thanks to our generous
donors and community support, the NJC Foundation awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships during the
2025-26 academic year, putting college within reach for hundreds of students.
Beyond scholarships, the Foundation builds meaningful connections between donors, alumni, faculty,
staff, and students. From annual Scholarship Donor Appreciation events to support for campus priorities—
such as facilities, athletics, and academic programs. The Foundation fuels opportunities that enrich student
life and advance NJC’s mission of career-connected, lifelong education. Recent highlights include student-
athlete success linked to enhancements at Plainsmen Park, dozens of new donor-led scholarship initiatives,
supporting campaigns for on-campus groups such as ASG and Kid’s College, and fresh NJC athletic bus wraps
that gave our athletic buses a striking new look.
The NJC Foundation’s work is tightly woven into the fabric of Logan County. With its office in E.S. French
Hall on NJC’s Sterling campus, the Foundation team partners locally to ensure gifts of every size create
tangible impact helping students reduce debt, persist to completion, and take the next step toward transfer
or a great career. Its presence within the Chamber community underscores a shared belief: when learners
succeed, the whole region benefits.
Your support makes their impact possible! Contact the NJC Foundation to learn about giving,
endowments, memorial and named scholarships, planned gifts, and corporate partnerships: •
Email: [email protected] • Phone: 970-521-6603 • Address: E.S. French Hall 215, 100 College Avenue,
Sterling, CO 80751 • Website: njc.edu/foundation
Please join the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Northeastern Junior College
Foundation as this week’s Member of the Week and tying our Community together!
Northeastern Junior College
