Allan and Cindy Childs invested many years of work as employees at Northwest College – he as a chemistry and math faculty member and she in Student Support Services TRIO, first as the Learning Specialist then the Project Director until she retired. First generation students themselves, Allan and Cindy both understood the need for personal guidance in navigating the college system and flourishing with good grades toward graduation and/or transfer, creating a clear career path, and developing a solid level of financial literacy. Through the years, they also observed that non-traditional students often had even greater pulls on their limited finances.

When the NWC Foundation had matching funds available from the State of Wyoming, the Childs felt it was an opportunity not to be missed, and they started the First Generation Scholarship for nontraditional students with financial need. Their scholarship has grown nicely. Through it, and while enjoying their retirement, Allan and Cindy are able to see students learn and develop and become successful with less strain on their budgets.

Allan and Cindy attend the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Luncheon at NWC to meet and celebrate their scholarship recipients and encourage them to seek out the TRIO program if they haven’t already done so. They find it very satisfying to learn that many already have. When students ask how to repay them, the Childs share another life lesson – how easy it is to Pay It Forward, once people find themselves in a financially stable situation.

 

This feature originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of TrapperLink. If you'd like to receive future issues of this bimonthly digital newsletter in your inbox, click here.