Northeast Community College has named Blake Nun of Geneva as its March 2026 TRIO Student of the Month, recognizing his academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to returning to rural Nebraska as an educator.
Nun is completing an associate of arts degree in secondary education and plans to transfer to Wayne State College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in skilled and technical science education. His long-term goal is to teach in a small, rural school, ideally his alma mater, Fillmore Central, where he hopes to make a meaningful impact both in and out of the classroom.
A graduate of Fillmore Central Public Schools, Nun developed an early interest in teaching through experiences supporting peers in Individualized Education Program (IEP) settings and later through hands-on shop classes. Those experiences shaped his desire to teach technical and career focused courses that prepare students for real-world success.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and helping others learn,” Nun said. “Shop classes gave me a way to combine both, and that’s when I knew I wanted to teach.”
Nun has distinguished himself academically, earning a 3.9 GPA and consistent recognition on both the Dean’s List and President’s List. He is actively involved on campus through the TRIO College Success Program (CSP) and serves as president of the Student Education Association, where faculty describe him as a dependable and respected leader.
“Blake is a wonderful leader and team member,” said Mary O’Boyle, education instructor at Northeast. “He is dependable, trustworthy, and deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of his future students. This recognition is very well deserved.”
In addition to O’Boyle’s mentorship, Nun expressed gratitude to staff members Amy Hall and Andrea Suhr, as well as the TRIO-CSP program staff, for their guidance and encouragement. Former TRIO-CSP advisor Denise Richling has also played a key role in helping him navigate course planning and the transfer process. Nun said, “Denise was a huge support for me, and was always encouraging me to be successful.”
Beyond campus, Nun remains engaged in his community. He is active in his faith community through the United Methodist Church and volunteers his time assisting with wrestling and track programs at Norfolk Catholic at both the junior high and high school levels. He also plans to pursue coaching endorsements in football and wrestling as part of his teaching career.
Nun credits his success to a strong support system, including his parents, Chris and Kelly Nun, and his grandparents, Debbie and Kevin Steffensen. He points to his grandfather as a key influence in shaping his work ethic and values, and to his mother for her dedication to family and community.
As he prepares to continue his education, Nun stands out as a community minded future educator whose academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to rural education reflect the mission of Northeast Community College and the TRIO-CSP program.
About TRIO-CSP
The TRIO College Success Program (TRIO-CSP) at Northeast Community College is a federally funded student support program designed to help eligible students succeed in college and complete their educational goals. TRIO-CSP provides academic advising, tutoring, financial literacy support, transfer planning, and personal development resources for students who are first-generation college students, meet income eligibility guidelines, or have a documented disability.
