The Foundation Awards $1.1M to Help Students Stay on Track

In recognition of National Scholarship Month in November, The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges (The Foundation) is highlighting how scholarships help students pay for college and keep working toward their degrees and certificates.

During the 2025–26 academic year, The Foundation awarded $1.1 million to more than 1,650 students. This fall, it has already awarded nearly 1,000 scholarships totaling $500,000.

“The Foundation’s support has been incredibly encouraging, and I’m grateful for the time its team took to see me as a student and future healthcare professional,” said Piper, a student at NHTI – Concord’s Community College, and recipient of the Marshall Snyder Memorial Scholarship. “This scholarship has already reduced some of the financial burden of purchasing books and program equipment, and it will be felt throughout my time at NHTI.”

NHTI Alumni Sweep NH's Annual Paralegal Awards

At the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire (PANH)’s annual meeting, graduates of NHTI—Concord’s Community College (NHTI) took home both awards presented during the event.

NHTI alum Heather McCandless received the New Hampshire Bar Association’s (NHBA) Paralegal Professionalism Award. Raquel Lopez, a 2026 graduate of the college’s certificate program, was the recipient of PANH’s Peer-to-Peer Award. NHTI’s paralegal program coordinator, Stacey Peters, served as the event’s keynote speaker.

As a faculty member since 1994, Peters has observed firsthand how the paralegal industry has transformed.

“Over the last three decades… the [paralegal] profession has evolved from one focused primarily on support functions to one recognized for specialized expertise and professional judgment,” said Peters. “For anyone interested in entering the field of law, becoming a paralegal is one of the smartest ways to get a taste for this specialized industry.”

Photo caption: Heather McCandless (L) who received the NHBA’s 2026 Paralegal Professionalism Award, stands outside the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Concord office. Raquel Lopez (R) accepted the PANH’s Peer-to-Peer Award on stage at this year’s PANH annual meeting. Photo credit: Tom Jarvis, NHBA.

Flying Through Early College with the Greatest of Ease

Like most teenagers, Sophia enjoys hanging out with friends. Unlike most teenagers, you’re likely to find her hanging 15 to 30 feet in the air.

A former competitive gymnast turned aerialist, Sophia trains on silks, trapeze and lyra three days a week all while balancing schoolwork and a part-time job. Add to that the fact that she’s finishing high school at the same time she’s earning an associate degree in Psychology.

The pivot to aerial started when she spotted a promotion for a local training company. Curious, she signed up for a summer course and was hooked.

The curiosity that pulled her toward aerial is the same thing that led her to Early College courses offered through Great Bay Community College.



“I heard about Early College through one of my friends who was already in the program at CCSNH. She told me about dual enrollment options. My mom and I had been talking about getting a jump start — things like college composition, statistics — and then I met with an advisor who told me about this opportunity where I could graduate with my associate degree at the same time I get my high school diploma.”