Grit. Reflection. Kindness.

North Idaho College business management and entrepreneurship assistant professor and 2023 commencement speaker Dean Miles urged graduates to remember these cornerstones to be successful as they go out into the world.

"Having grit suggests that you have perseverance and passion and will work hard to achieve a long-term goal," he said Friday during the ceremony. "It is related to other personality traits such as resilience and hardiness. The term 'grit' suggests that individuals who possess grit tend to be high achievers. Do you all have grit? I think so. Graduates, you've proven today, by earning your right to be here, to be awarded your certificates and degrees, you have grit. Cornerstone No. 1: Stay gritty."

Miles said the most successful people he knows are reflective.

"It's about questioning in a positive way what you do and why you do it, and then deciding whether there's a better or more efficient way of doing it in the future," he said. "Ask yourself, 'How can I be more impactful?'"

Last, but not least, cornerstone No. 3: Kindness.

"I think we all can agree that our world, our college, we all need a good deal of that at this time," Miles said. "Not only does kindness help those to whom it's directed, but it also comes with many personal benefits."

These words of wisdom were shared with about 400 graduates who packed into the Christianson Gymnasium to participate in the ceremony. This year, 925 students graduated from NIC, the youngest being 17, the oldest 71.

Of those who graduated, 126 were enrolled in the dual credit program and are high school students earning college degrees and certificates. Many received their associate degrees in general studies, while others pursued degrees in communications, political science, social work, criminal justice, education, English, modern languages, music, journalism, anthropology and American sign language. Some chased career and technical degrees in graphic design, diesel technology and culinary arts.

Dual credit students represented schools across the region: Bonners Ferry High, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, Coeur d'Alene High, Forrest Bird Charter School, GEM Prep Online, Idaho Home Learning Academy, ISucceed Virtual High, Kootenai Bridge Academy, Lake City High, Lakeland High, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, Post Falls High, Priest River High and Timberlake High.

Dual credit coordinator Marcy Hoggatt said dual credit students not only learn academics at NIC, they also learn the fundamentals of how to be a college student. They have to apply, plan and register for classes, they buy books and they learn about the financial aspect of college and career options.

"They learn to advocate for themselves and find the resources needed to be successful," she said.

NIC's dual credit office helps guide students toward success, she said.

"We work with students to break down the barriers that might stop them from moving forward, advise them on class selection and cheer them on," Hoggatt said. "Watching these dual credit students grow and thrive gives us hope for the future, gratitude that we can be of some help in the process and pride as we watch our local students walk across the stage at NIC's graduation ceremony before they walk in their high school graduation ceremony."

Jamie Johnson of Coeur d'Alene participated in commencement as she celebrated receiving her associate of science in nursing. She plans to continue education at Lewis-Clark State College to be a registered nurse.

"I am relieved, I'm excited and I'm just looking forward to what's next," she said. "It's just amazing. I love this campus. I've had a great time."