LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College remains a preferred school by the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP), designating the school as an institution that has been vetted and approved by the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.
LC State is among 14 institutions nationwide – and the only school in the western U.S. – to receive the designation, the AECP announced. The Army program allows active duty service members to attend college, obtain a nursing degree, and reenter the service as a commissioned officer upon graduation.
“It's really easy to get overshadowed by big schools,” said Tiffany Pilon, director of the LC State Healthcare Education Center. “I know what a gem we are, I'm proud that we get to be one of 14 schools. We have a great nursing program, so it is really cool to get to have some recognition on a little bit bigger scale.”
In order to receive AECP approval, schools must allow students to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) within 24 months, be within a 100-mile radius of a military treatment facility for students to receive medical benefits, not exceed $15,000 per year in tuition fees, be accredited, and have a first-time National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate of 90% or higher for the last three consecutive years.
The AECP program helps bring people from around the world to LC State, Pilon said.
“We have students from all over the place, and some of them are not born and raised in America, but they're now serving for the country,” she said. “It brings a lot of different life experiences to the program. So while we are benefiting the students, they also are benefiting us.”
Mark Kogo will graduate with his nursing degree this spring after participating in the AECP program. Originally from Kenya, Kogo and his family live in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley while he completes his schooling.
“When I came to the United States, I was the first (of my family) to go to college,” Kogo said. “Nursing was something that was on my mind, and when I joined the military, it solidified my decision.”
Upon looking into the AECP program, he discovered LC State was one of his options.
Kogo said that AECP participants get plenty of support, from working with Pilon during the application process to getting educational guidance from instructors. Because of his experience here, he’s encouraging fellow service members to apply to the program through LC State.
“I'm glad to be here,” Kogo said. “And after (graduation), we’ll see what the future has for me.”
Kogo hopes to eventually work as a nurse in an intensive care unit or operating room setting, and “if all goes well, maybe I’ll pursue CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist). That’s something I would love.”
In addition to the AECP, LC State also works with the Air Force Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) and the Navy Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP), providing them the same opportunity as Army service members.
Participation in the Enlisted Commissioning Programs at LC State continues to grow, with 13 students enrolled in the fall of 2025, up from four in the fall of 2024.
LC State was also recognized as a Gold-level Military Friendly School for the third consecutive year.