{"id":7788,"date":"2025-04-30T08:53:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/college-engineering\/?p=7788"},"modified":"2025-04-30T08:52:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:52:43","slug":"celebrating-excellence-gold-axe-award-winners-from-sce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/news\/celebrating-excellence-gold-axe-award-winners-from-sce\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Excellence: Gold Axe Award Winners from SCE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Each semester, NAU honors a select group of students whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom with the prestigious Gold Axe Award. Among this spring\u2019s celebrated recipients are four exceptional students from the Sanghi College of Engineering: Jessica Hillman, Koi Quiver, Caitlin Yazzie, and Jonah Graham. These students exemplify the values of leadership, resilience, and community service that the Gold Axe stands for.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Koi Quiver: Champion of Connection and Resilience<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n
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A mechanical engineering major from Buckeye, Arizona, Koi Quiver\u2019s path to the Gold Axe is deeply rooted in his dedication to mentorship and Indigenous student success. As an Indigenous Peer Mentor (IPM) for three years, Koi supported fellow students\u2014particularly those in mechanical engineering\u2014helping them navigate academic challenges and build community on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m very student-centered,\u201d Koi shared. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to be recognized, but what matters most is knowing that I did what I said I would do. I helped others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to mentoring, Koi revitalized NAU\u2019s chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), growing it from dwindling membership to a thriving community. Through sports nights and personal outreach, he created spaces for students to connect and support each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koi credits his boss and mentor, Sharon Doctor Singer, for shaping his student-centered ethos. \u201cShe helped me deal with failures and stay solution-oriented,\u201d he said. \u201cHer work ethic influenced mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite facing setbacks, including failing classes, Koi never gave up. His advice to incoming students? \u201cJust keep plugging away. Don\u2019t suffer in silence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Koi plans to work in research, either in national labs or R&D, after a well-earned rest. He hopes his legacy will be simple yet powerful: \u201cHe was a cool guy. Always helpful, and he didn\u2019t stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Caitlin Yazzie: Engineer, Mentor, and Role Model<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n
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Caitlin Yazzie, a civil engineering major from Rock Point, Arizona, has used her time at NAU to uplift Indigenous students and build a more connected campus. Like Koi, Caitlin served as an Indigenous Peer Mentor, organizing sports nights and participating in key events like Discover NAU and Indigenous Convocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI guess I just wanted to be like an older sibling to them,\u201d she said. \u201cI have around 30 mentees\u2014it\u2019s like having 30 little siblings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caitlin also played an active role in AISES, contributing to volunteer efforts and bringing guest speakers to inspire future Indigenous engineers. But it\u2019s her impact through mentorship that she finds most rewarding. \u201cHelping students come out of their comfort zone and being more open\u2014that\u2019s been the most meaningful part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting college during the pandemic posed significant challenges, especially with online learning and limited social interaction. Caitlin leaned on her roommate and self-discipline to navigate her early years, building the foundation for her current leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She named Dr. Ben Dymond as her Educator of Influence, citing his encouragement and teaching as pivotal in deepening her interest in structural engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After graduation, Caitlin plans to continue at NAU in an accelerated master\u2019s program in civil engineering and eventually earn her PE license. She also hopes to continue mentoring and serving as a role model\u2014especially for Indigenous women in STEM. \u201cI just want to let others know that anyone can do it if you put your mind to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Jonah Graham: Bridging Journalism and Construction Through Leadership<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n
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Jonah Graham of Sierra Vista, Arizona, pursued not one but two demanding degrees: journalism and construction management. Inspired by his sister\u2014an NAU alumna, Gold Axe Award winner, and former student body president\u2014Jonah jumped into campus life, eventually leading the Lumberjack newspaper as editor-in-chief and becoming a key leader in construction competitions and organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the Gold Axe really exemplifies that there are so many other definitions of success beyond grades,\u201d Jonah said. \u201cIt reflects who you are as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He carried his passion for leadership into the construction management world, participating in the high-pressure ASC Reno competition, where teams develop a project proposal in just one day. \u201cYou get hungry, tired, stressed\u2014but you get the job done. And that\u2019s the most rewarding part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonah attributes much of his leadership development to Professor Robert Bruner, whose teachings on servant leadership left a lasting impression. \u201cHe lives what he teaches,\u201d Jonah said. \u201cThat accountability shaped how I lead today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite financial hurdles throughout college\u2014including missing out on Pell Grant funding and constantly juggling tuition and living costs\u2014Jonah persisted, supported in part by scholarships for Native American students in construction management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking to the future, Jonah hopes to engage in humanitarian work before transitioning into the construction industry. He dreams of applying his leadership lessons to build not just infrastructure, but stronger communities. \u201cI want to take everything I\u2019ve learned and carry it forward. Not just technical skills, but stewardship\u2014of people, money, and trust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonah\u2019s legacy, inspired by his grandfather\u2019s belief in education, is grounded in a simple principle: \u201cTry your best, and you\u2019ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Jessica Hillman: Leading with Purpose and Passion for Environmental Justice<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n
<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\n\n

Jessica Hillman, an environmental engineering major from Sierra Vista, Arizona, brought unmatched dedication to both her field and her community. As president of the NAU chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), she led weekly meetings, networked with industry professionals, and created a space where students could grow both technically and personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWinning the Gold Axe is a reflection of the hard work that doesn\u2019t show up in grades,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s incredibly validating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jessica also conducted undergraduate research for two years with Dr. Adam Bringhurst, studying how NAU\u2019s detention basins affect water quality. Her findings\u2014including runoff that was visibly contaminated\u2014deepened her commitment to environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s eye-opening,\u201d she said. \u201cIt made me realize how much human activity affects our environment and the need for solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jessica\u2019s internship at Remal Consulting gave her real-world insight into stormwater management and the human stakes behind engineering design. After witnessing a near-flood event in Flagstaff, she saw firsthand how critical civil infrastructure is to community safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She credits Dr. Mark Lamer as her educator of influence: \u201cHe saw who I was, not just as a student, but as a whole person. He embodied my goals and helped make them possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Jessica hopes to continue working in environmental engineering and possibly attend graduate school. Long-term, she aims to work in environmental policy, focusing on floodplain injustice and advocating for underrepresented communities like her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf my presence helped create community or showed someone that they can do anything no matter where they come from\u2014that\u2019s the legacy I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Common Thread: Service, Mentorship, and Strength<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Koi, Caitlin, Jonah, and Jessica are more than students\u2014they are trailblazers. They overcame challenges ranging from academic setbacks and impostor syndrome to financial strain and cultural isolation. But in every case, they chose service, leadership, and resilience. They didn\u2019t just thrive academically; they built programs, mentored dozens of students, and created inclusive spaces that will benefit generations of Lumberjacks to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From peer mentorship and club leadership to groundbreaking research and international service, these Gold Axe winners leave behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and vision. They\u2019ve already made their mark\u2014and they\u2019re just getting started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Each semester, NAU honors a select group of students whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom with the prestigious Gold Axe Award. Among this spring\u2019s celebrated recipients are four exceptional students from the Sanghi College of Engineering: Jessica Hillman, Koi Quiver, Caitlin Yazzie, and Jonah Graham. These students exemplify the values of leadership, resilience, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":836,"featured_media":6397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"4urgent","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/836"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7788"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7809,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7788\/revisions\/7809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/college-engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}