Sarah Roberts

A Northwest College student spent some time in Cheyenne last week at the legislative session as part of a group of honorees from all of the state’s community colleges.

Sarah Roberts was the local winner of the Shaping Wyoming’s Future Award, presented by the Wyoming Business Alliance to one student from each of the state’s eight community colleges. Roberts joined the other seven award recipients in being honored by the Alliance in a private reception on Jan. 10, before being recognized during the Joint Legislative Session on Jan. 11 in Cheyenne.

The Wyoming Business Alliance recognized these students for the ways they have each transformed their lives through their experiences in the Wyoming community colleges system, and how their efforts while attending college and participating in their communities are shaping the future of Wyoming.

“It’s a big deal to me,” Roberts said. “As someone who didn’t have a traditional experience getting my degrees, it’s nice to get recognized for the hard work that I put in. It also shows me personally that college is where I’m supposed to be, and that I can meet my educational goals with some work and effort.”

Roberts originally came to Northwest College because of its strong reputation and proximity to her home in Cody. After initially withdrawing from school to start a family, Roberts returned in 2020, feeling it was important to finish what she started.

“I left school initially because I wanted to reevaluate what I wanted to do with my life, and so I moved out of the state to be with family. I moved back because I missed Wyoming,” she said. “I started dating my husband who was a student at the college, and he could tell that I missed it, so he pushed me to enroll again and finish. I also owe a lot to my professors who believed in my coming back, and were supportive of my academic goals. They were a lot of the reason I pushed through. The professors at this college, and specifically in my major, really are very student focused.”

She has now earned two A.S. degrees in Criminal Justice and English. She plans to continue her education by pursuing her B.A.S. in Criminal Justice as well.

“In education, I plan to enroll in the criminal justice bachelor’s program here at NWC next fall, which I am very excited for,” she said. “I have already taken the LSAT, so after I graduate, I plan to look at my options for a masters/JD program. I am planning on studying criminal law, as it’s something I’m passionate about.”

Even with her busy class schedule and roles as a wife and mother, Roberts is still among the most active members of the Northwest College student body. She is vice president of the Student Senate, president of both the Gay Straight Alliance and Criminal Justice Club, and she has served as president of the Trading Card Club. Additionally, she’s been a member of the Japanese Club and works as a peer mentor in the TRIO program while remaining heavily involved in student activities.

“I owe a lot of my success in juggling school and family to my husband,” she said. “Because of him, I’m able to take mostly in-person classes while he helps watch my daughter. I’ve also brought my daughter to some of the events that I work with student activities, or my job at TRIO, and she enjoys the attention! Sometimes juggling both means I have a mini study-buddy with me, but it’s very worth it!”

In addition to Roberts, others being recognized are Paige Guille, Laramie County Community College; Olivia Wasinger, Gillette College; Eric Trueblood, Sheridan College; Jose Martinez, Western Wyoming Community College; Marcela Caballer, Casper College; Myriah Deckard, Central Wyoming College; and Ryan Swan, Eastern Wyoming College.