Upward Bound Staff
Aaron Nygaard
Program Director
I grew up in Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1992, I moved to Steamboat Springs, CO and worked in a ski shop and learned to snowboard. After a couple of years I headed back to Fargo, North Dakota where I went back to college at Moorhead State University and received my Bachelor's degree in Education. In 1998 I graduated, got married to my wife, Jacqui, and moved to Portland, Oregon... all in the same month!
I worked for an Upward Bound program near Portland from 1998 until the summer of 2007. In 2006, my wife and I had our first and only child so far. His name is Oscar and he just turned two in February. While in Portland, I spent most of my free time snowboarding, playing in bands, and golfing.
In September, I saw the advertisement for the Upward Bound Director job at Peninsula College and I thought it would be cool to try a new job and live in such a beautiful area. After getting the job, I moved up to Port Angeles in October and Jacqui and Oscar followed a few weeks later. I am excited to get PCUB up and running and I'm looking forward to a fun summer.
Tammy Johnson-Napiontek
Academic Support Specialist
I was born and raised here in Port Angeles. I graduated in 1991 from Port Angeles High School and ten years later returned to school to complete the Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I am currently completing my Master's in Education through City University. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher; although I was never sure that I could do it. See, I am the only person in my family that has an advanced degree and therefore I didn't have anyone to show me the ropes.
I have two children; Tyler, 13, Paige 8 1/2. They know that they must go to college and they have gotten to see me work hard at my education. I love to read, swim, and learn; although I have very little time to do things for pleasure.
I completely enjoy working with youth in pursuing their dreams because I know how it feels to not know what to do next to achieve you dreams. I believe that encouragement, praise, and high expectations motivate students to reach higher and achieve.
Lauren Puff
Program Office Assistant
I was born and raised in California, just north of San Francisco, and after living on the East coast for eight years, I decided that it was time to come back to the West. Prior to moving to Sequim, I lived in Boston, Massachusetts where I went to college and received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and my minor in Sociology.
In August of last year, I took a three-week cross-country road trip to get to Washington from Boston and visited 19 states. I went diamond mining in Arkansas, took a cavern tour in Virginia, was in four states at once, listened to blue's music while having some of the best BBQ in Nashville, and saw some incredible sunsets in New Mexico.
"I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that's when you discover the stars."
- Nancy Willard