Northern Wyoming Career Pathways Partnership
The Northern Wyoming Career Pathways Partnership (NWCPP) is a joint venture between Sheridan and Johnson County K-12 school districts; Sheridan College; business and industry leaders; and community stakeholders.
NWCPP Vision
The vision of the joint venture is to create a PK-16 career pathways ecosystem, grounded in the design and implementation of career pathways and work-based learning (WBL), that encompasses meaningful exposure, exploration, and hands-on experiences through a mutually beneficial partnership among all stakeholders to ensure a well-prepared, skilled, informed, and inspired workforce. This ecosystem will expand the post-secondary opportunities available to students and young adults by contributing to a dynamic, skilled workforce that meets the needs of local industries and fuels economic growth in Sheridan and Johnson Counties.
NWCPP Governance and Operations
The NWCPP’s work is designed by and carried out with the support and oversight of the following:
- Sheridan College
- Industry-Led Sector Partnerships
- Work Groups
Board of Governors (2025-2026)
The NWCPP Board of Governors brings together key stakeholders.
-
Dr. Walter Tribley
President – Sheridan College -
Erin Kilbride
Executive Director, Whitney Benefits -
Brenda Weatherby
Manufacturing Sector Representative -
Erin Oetken
Health Science Sector Representative -
Chase Christensen
Superintendent – Sheridan County School District #3 -
Scott Stults
Superintendent – Sheridan County School District #2 -
Jeff Jones
Superintendent – Sheridan County School District #1 -
Charles Auzqui
Superintendent – Johnson County School District #1
Dr. Walter Tribley
Erin Kilbride
Brenda Weatherby
Erin Oetken
Chase Christensen
Scott Stults
Jeff Jones
Charles Auzqui
Sheridan College
Sheridan College serves as the primary point of contact with industry leaders and other partners and stakeholders that make up the Sheridan and Johnson Counties pathways ecosystem. The college is the administrative home of NWCPP and provides the “glue” that brings partners and stakeholders together.
It guides and coordinates collaboration to create, scale, and sustain a pathways system. Entities that play this role in pathways ecosystem-building initiatives are commonly referred to as intermediaries.
History & Milestones
- In 2023, Whitney Benefits set out to gauge interest across Sheridan and Johnson County stakeholders in a coordinated approach to career pathway design that would better align educational opportunities across elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education institutions and better meet the workforce preparation needs of students and employers.
- Through a nearly two-year Design Team process, with participation of all four K-12 school district superintendents, Sheridan College President Walt Tribley, representatives of business and industry, and other stakeholders, it was agreed that the intentional design of sequenced opportunities – traditional academic courses, career and technical education, work-based learning, and more – is needed and requires contributions by all the partners and stakeholders engaged.
- This led to the adoption of a vision that is grounded in the creation of a pathways ecosystem in which to coordinate, scale, and sustain these efforts.
- Today, two Industry-Led Sector Partnerships – manufacturing and health science – each are charged with leading career pathway design and expanding access to and participation in work-based learning.
Key Initiatives
Industry-Led Sector Partnerships
NWCPP supports sector partnerships that are led by employers and work in partnership with organizations spanning education, community support and philanthropy, and economic and workforce development.
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning (WBL) is a continuum of age- and skill-appropriate experiences designed through education and industry partnerships.
YouScience
This tool gives students and educators objective, research-based insight into talents and interests that go beyond grades or personality tests, supporting personalized college and career planning.
Explore YouScienceSupport Resources
Essential Skills
Seven key competencies derived from the Wyoming Profile of a Graduate by the State Board of Education.
View Document
Work-Based Learning Continuum
Identifies age- and developmentally-appropriate activities and opportunities designed to spark student interest, boost employer engagement, and lead to more strategic and rewarding WBL placements.
Explore the Continuum
Quick Start for Employers
Information on the WBL programs supported by each participating education institution, along with tips, recommendations, and related resources to help employers explore or grow their participation in Work-Based Learning (WBL)
View Quickstart Guide