MPHS student earns diploma, NPC degree
Micah Travis, a senior at Mountain Pine High School, has become the first student in Garland County to receive a high school diploma and an associate degree in criminal justice at National Park College at the same time.
“Micah’s accomplishments are extraordinary. We are very proud he started his journey at NPC, and we look forward to his success as he transfers to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to continue his path in criminal justice,” National Park College President John Hogan said.
He said that because of Travis’ hard work, he would be able to earn his bachelor’s degree in only two years, and added that NPC appreciates its partnership with the Mountain Pine School District. The district has worked hard to make these opportunities available for their students, and Micah is benefiting from that effort, he said.
“It feels very amazing. It’s something that not a lot of students are able to do, and I feel like that I’ve managed to get something incredible done. It’s probably my biggest accomplishment to date, and everything I’ve done in my life,” Travis said.
Travis said he was inspired by his family to get his associate degree while he was in high school. He said his family believed in him, and he could not have done it without them on his side, cheering him on.
“If not for my family saying that they think that I can do it, then I never would have been able to come so far in college. My mom, dad, brother and grandparents all helped me and inspired me to keep on going,” he said.
Travis chose criminal justice because his grandfather is a retired Texas state trooper. His stories of when he was out patrolling inspired him to go and become a state trooper in Arkansas, noting he will be a second-generation state trooper, Travis said.
Travis plans to go to the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, where he will get his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. When he attends college, he will be placed as a freshman but will be considered a junior since he will only have two years left. When he turns 21, he said he plans to attend the Arkansas State Police Training Academy to become a state trooper.
“The best way to get prepared for that is with a criminal justice degree through the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. It is one of the best colleges for criminal justice in the state,” Travis said.
“(My grandfather) helping people has made me want to help people, and (criminal justice) seems to be one of the best ways to do that,” he said.
Travis enjoys helping people because it gives him a warm feeling, thinking that he made that person’s day better, he said.
“If I could make one person’s day better by doing one thing, I can make everyone’s day better by doing more things. So, it just gives me a nice feeling. It gives me a feeling of contentment with where I am in life,” Travis said.
He said he found the best way to juggle high school homework and college homework was to do the college work first, then take care of high school. High school, compared to college, is easy, he said, noting if a student does the harder work first, then the easier work will feel like it’s nothing.
“Micah was so strong in his criminal justice classes that it was easy to forget that he was also a high school student. Micah blended in with the older students and was accepted by them as a peer from day one,” James Montgomery, NPC assistant professor of Criminal Justice, said in a news release.
“The sky is the limit for Micah Travis, and his ability and work ethic combine to ensure that he will continue to be successful with his future goals,” he said.
Travis said his advice to any future students that want to get their high school diploma and college degree at the same time is to communicate with their professors and do the work.
“I would like to encourage anyone who has the opportunity to do the Concurrent Credit Program at any college to do it because while it isn’t easy, it is such a great feeling when you get it done and it’s thrilling to having something that not a lot of other people can accomplish,” Travis said.