03/03/2026
Congratulations to our very own Christian Thayer on his Student of the Month achievement! We're proud of his hard work and his deep dedication to everything he does. He chose to go back to school, not only for himself but to go further for those he serves here at EHCA. We're incredibly lucky to have him!
We are to announce Christian Thayer as our March 2026 Student of the Month at NPRC. Thayer is one of the latest examples of a student changing their life and brightening their future. A resident of Titusville, Thayer works full-time for the Erie Homes for Children and Adults (ECHA) at the Crawford County group homes as a program specialist and is using what he’s learning in the classroom to better serve those in need of support.
“EHCA’s mission was the type of work I felt my calling to be,” noted Thayer. “We try to provide a family-living structure, where we take care of people while promoting independence as much as possible. The thing I love most about my job is that I get to have genuine relationships with the individuals we take care of. It is like having an extended family. I enjoy getting to take the individuals out into the community for fun events, and we help them develop and maintain relationships with their friends and employers.”
Thayer began his time as an NPRC student in August 2025, enrolling in in-person, remote synchronous, and remote asynchronous courses before determining that the in-person option was the best fit for him. “This is my first time in college, and so far, my experience with NPRC has exceeded my expectations. I really enjoy the ability to have several options for attending classes. During my first semester, I did all three options, but I determined that the in-person classes were the best for me. NPRC has so many resources available to students, and everyone is graciously helpful.” An associate degree in human services from NPRC will provide Thayer with increased opportunities at work and allow him to better serve those he supports. “When I was looking for schools, I wanted something that was local, and NPRC was the perfect fit for that,” he noted. “It was also very flexible, allowing me to go to school part-time to earn my degree.”
He also earned his way onto the NPRC Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 term, something he says his younger self could not even imagine. “When I was younger, I struggled in school. But throughout this experience in college for the first time, NPRC has been there for me, and I love that. It will take me a few years to earn my degree, but that is at my pace and what I can handle and prefer. It’s awesome that NPRC lets you take it at your own pace and supports you along the way, so I am taking my time to ensure I can handle my career, personal life, and schoolwork along the way.”
Thayer is grateful to his instructors, Mr. Ben Blood and Mr. Brenton Po***ck, as well as his advisor, Laurel Lucas, for making his experience at NPRC enjoyable and making him feel like he belonged here from the start. “Laurel, my advisor, has been fantastic with all the help she has provided me. She was one of the main reasons I signed up for NPRC. When I first went exploring colleges, I talked with Laurel and she was phenomenal. There was no pressure to sign up, and she provided me with all the information I needed. Of all the colleges I had investigated, Laurel and NPRC were the first to invite me in with genuine enthusiasm.”
A perfect opportunity for a local resident who always hoped to go to college, but until now, did not have that perfect fit. But now, Christian Thayer is on his way to achieving even bigger things in human services. “NPRC is my path to earning an associate’s degree in human services, which will open many opportunities for me at the state level. I truly feel my calling is working with people to provide them with the help of living happy and healthy lives. My future goals are working for the state of PA in human services and holding a position at EHCA. When I obtain my degree, I will be very proud because I honestly never thought I would do well or enjoy college. With the support of everyone, I am doing both.”
Keep up the great work, Christian! You are just another reason to be !
