"Education Enhances Lives"
Janet Gossett 

For NIC retiree Janet Gossett, people are what make North Idaho College a special place. “I believe in NIC. The college has a pool of talented and creative people doing something that matters. It is a wonderful place to work because of the emphasis on students,” she says.

Janet taught mathematics at NIC for 28 years, retiring in 2009. Her career began in a different field, however.

Janet received her bachelor’s degree in physics at the University of California, Los Angeles. She began working in the aerospace industry at Hughes Aircraft. It was there that she met her husband, David. Janet continued working at Hughes Aircraft after they married, eventually transitioning to a consultant position when their two children were born. The family moved to the Coeur d’Alene area in 1978, where Janet and David established an avionics and electronics business in a hangar at the Coeur d’Alene airport.

With Janet’s education and background, she accepted a part-time position teaching Intermediate Algebra at North Idaho College. Soon she expanded to full-time, teaching a variety of advanced math disciplines. Janet remembers fondly the collaboration within the math faculty. She co-designed the Contemporary Math course that is still taught at NIC, now called Math In Modern Society. Janet earned her master’s degree in teaching mathematics at the University of Idaho while teaching at NIC and raising teenaged children.

In her retirement, Janet enjoys gardening, attending line dancing classes, golfing, and swimming. She and David, who passed away in 2016, have five grandchildren, ranging in age from four to 29.

Janet believes strongly in education and contributes to the North Idaho College Retirees Scholarship. “I like to help where I can. Education enhances the lives of students and expands their possibilities, which strengthens our communities.”

To hear a message from students about the positive impact of scholarship support in their lives, watch this video, "Thank you for Investing in Dreams!" To learn more about the ways you can give, click here.