The NAU Review — Happy Health Careers Week

The NAU Review. The official news source for Northern Arizona University.

March 24, 2026

We deliver top headlines to the Lumberjack community every Tuesday and Thursday during the academic year. For more, visit news.nau.edu.

Three children and two workers at the Early Learning and Development Center at NAU

Three years and growing

Driven by a unique model where kids ages 2-5 design their own learning experiences, NAU’s Early Learning and Development Center opened in 2023 as a way to support the diverse community of parents who study and work at NAU. Three years later, the center has attracted national attention, expanded its partnerships with researchers across the university and grown its enrollment by 40%.

Group picture of students in mentorship program

From high school to higher education

What started as a class project has become a mentorship program that will help high school students transition into college life by providing them with guidance, information and support directly from Lumberjacks.

Jacks in a Flash:
Angelina Palumbo

Arizona International Educators awarded Palumbo the Distinguished Contributions to Global Initiatives in Arizona Award for her work fostering international relationships to offer all NAU students options to study abroad. Learn what the award means to her and the CIE team.

Center for International Educaiton at NAU staff after reciving the Global Initiatives in Arizona Award

Every spring, Health Careers Week at the College of Health and Human Services lets students explore the multitude of health degrees NAU offers—and the many roads they lead to. In celebration of Health Careers Week, four inspiring CHHS alumni shared what they wanted to be when they grew up and how those interests evolved into unique, high-impact careers in the health sector thanks to NAU.

Connor Swanson posing in front of a lumberjack billboard

Connor Swanson
Occupational therapy

As a kid, Connor loved Legos and thought he’d become an architect. These days, he channels that creativity into helping patients overcome challenges.

Jennifer Hudson holding up a silky yellow skirt with a name badge around her neck

Jennifer Hudson
Public health

Young Jennifer dreamed of becoming a professional baker, but a family member’s cancer diagnosis inspired Hudson to pivot to cancer research and awareness.

Nichole Pompa pointing to an athletic training sign inside a gym

Nichole Pompa
Athletic training

Pompa grew up thinking she’d be a dentist or a comedian. Years later, she found a career that combined her passions for health and making people laugh.