My name is Rene Garciaguirre, Northeast Arizona Campus Coordinator with Supporting Inclusive Practices in Colleges (SIP-C). In my role with SIP-C, I engage with students in Northern Arizona to foster an atmosphere of inclusion on college campuses. I assist students at every stage beginning with enrolling in and funding college, pursuing appropriate and necessary on-campus services and resources, and transitioning from college to gainful employment.

As a student services professional, I have had several roles, each with a focus on student success and achievement; Academic Advisor with CC2NAU, Graduate Assistant with Indigenous Student Services @ NAU, Academic Advisor with the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences @ NAU, and most recently, I was an Academic Advisor II in the College of Science @ UArizona (Go Wildcats!). My academic interests center on Mentorship, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in higher education. I have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a Master of Arts from Northern Arizona University, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership @ Northern Arizona University. I look forward to getting to know and working with everyone at NPC!

Supporting Inclusive Practices in Colleges (SIP-C) is a five-year, federally funded program sponsored by the US Department of Education’s Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) initiative. As a postsecondary transition program, the core goals of the SIP-C program are to provide comprehensive services and supports to students between the ages of 18-26 living in Northern Arizona who wish to attend college. Students are recruited and referred from a variety of sources, but SIP-C primarily focuses on identifying potential students who are seniors in high school. The program model is structured using ten core strategy areas all of which are student focused. For example, the “Setting the Bar High” and “Front Door First” strategies encourage students to self-advocate and utilize all campus resources that would be available to their non-disabled peers. Person-Centered Planning is a model that supports SIP-C’s adaptive educational coaches as they work with students to identify their educational and career goals, as well as improve their social and independent living skills. As one of our partnered communities, Northland Pioneer College demonstrates an ongoing dedication to inclusivity and accessibility and will be working closely with Campus Coordinator, Rene Garciaguirre, to implement the program model at all NPC campuses and centers. SIP-C is grateful for the efforts of NPC’s Sandy Manor, Office of Accessibility and Inclusion Coordinator, and Wei Ma, Dean of Instructional Innovation for their willingness to collaborate to ensure all students feel empowered and succeed at NPC.

In Tlanextia in Tonatiuh!

May your sun be brilliant!

Returning HS Students

Early College Waiver (must speak to Early College Advisor!): Waives tuition, media fee, & course fees. Students are responsible for cost of textbook (if any, visit NPC Virtual Bookstore).