Alexis Stashkiw-Risor, known to many as “Cici,” is a student at Northeast Community College pursuing a degree in the utility line program. Her journey reflects resilience, determination, and a commitment to building a hands-on career in the electrical and utility industry.
Stashkiw-Risor’s life has been shaped by significant challenges. In 2009, she lost her mother in a tragic car accident. Shortly afterward, her older brother, AJ, was diagnosed with leukemia, placing additional strain on the family. Despite these hardships, her brother successfully overcame his illness and is now cancer-free and continues to serve as a source of motivation and support.
Raised by her father alongside her siblings, Stashkiw-Risor considers her father her greatest influence. “My dad is my biggest supporter and my best friend,” she said. He played an active role in her upbringing, teaching her essential life skills, and consistently supporting her academic and extracurricular activities.
Stashkiw-Risor was an active member of National FFA Organization where she competed in multiple events and advanced to the state level in nursery and landscape. Through FFA and community service activities, including the Carroll Craft Show, meal-packing initiatives, and Pumpkin and Pals, she discovered her preference for hands-on work over traditional desk-based careers.
Initially uncertain about her career path, Stashkiw-Risor explored several trades, including HVAC, plumbing, mechanics, and electrical work. Her decision became clearer after conducting a research project on injuries in the electrical trades. Through connections with her brother, she secured an opportunity to interview with the manager at Northeast Power. This interview evolved into a job shadow experience with the powerline crew and ultimately led to an internship offer for the summer of 2025. Following this experience, Stashkiw-Risor chose to focus on utility line work rather than becoming an electrician.
Since enrolling in the utility line program at Northeast, Stashkiw-Risor has gained valuable technical and practical skills, including setting and climbing poles, understanding electrical systems, and working with various wire types and equipment. She described climbing 65-foot H-structures as one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of her training. She also emphasized the importance of safety demonstrations conducted during the program.
Outside of the classroom, Stashkiw-Risor remains dedicated to gaining real-world experience. She completed an internship with Northeast Power and returned for a second internship between her first and second years of college. “If I do not have class, you can probably bet that I am working,” she noted.
Stashkiw-Risor has received several scholarships and financial aid awards, including the Nebraska Open Scholarship, Wayne Education Association Scholarship, and a Pell Grant. These awards will allow her to complete her education without incurring debt.
“I now do not have to worry about paying for college, and all of my focus is on my education,” she said. “This would not be possible without the support of scholarship donors.”
Through dedication to both classroom instruction and hands-on training, Stashkiw-Risor is building a strong educational foundation for a career in utility line work. Her journey demonstrates how focused academic effort, combined with real-world experience, can prepare students for success in essential and highly skilled trades.
To learn more about giving opportunities, please contact the Northeast Community College Foundation by visiting northeast.edu/giving/foundation-scholarships.
