Since the 2022 move of the NCRA A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine program into the NCRA Learning Center, we have witnessed a steady increase in participants earning completion certificates. Starting from 258 in 2022, jumping to more than double that number in 2023 (670 certificates), and another increase to 885 in 2024, we are pleased to report our 2025 program showed continued growth.
In 2025 1,152 participants earned their NCRA A to Z program completion certificates. Our headquarters-hosted program awarded 938 of these certificates which were combined with our local program leaders’ efforts, awarding the remaining 214 certificates.
“This course was absolutely great for me and cemented that stenography is the path I am going to take with all the more confidence,” writes Liam Goff, who earned his NCRA A to Z completion certificate last fall.
The new asychronous model has contributed significantly to the program’s growth with 68 percent of the headquarters certificates awarded through this model. This new on-demand, immediate start option allows participants to quickly join and determine if steno is right for them. Participant feedback has been positive regarding the flexibility this model provides.
I’m grateful that NCRA offers it for those of us exploring an interest in court reporting. Moving forward, I’m excited to practice the basic concepts that we’ve learned as I research court reporting programs.
Ashley Blasczyk, 2025 participant
Brenda Quillin currently works within the justice system but is looking to transition to a career in court reporting. She thrived in the asynchronous model.
“The ability to do the program at my own pace was a huge advantage for me” says Quillin. “I believe this program would work for any learning style. This program really made me excited for my court reporting classes and my future court reporter career.”
Quillen is an A to Z success story. After earning her NCRA A to Z certificate in December 2025, she is off to Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City this month to begin their court reporting program.
“I will attend class virtually two nights a week,” says Quillin. “I am currently working full time as Bailiff to a District Court Judge. Because of my work schedule, going to school online and at night is the only way I could complete this program. I know because I am working full time in a demanding job it will be challenging to do the court reporting program, but I am a very goal driven person.” We are so excited to see Brenda take these next steps into the profession!
In addition to the program itself, NCRA hosted monthly virtual welcome sessions to ensure participants had the knowledge needed to successfully take their next step in their education. We hosted two Virtual Open Houses for court reporting programs in April and October. Ashley Blasczyk was one of our many participants in 2025.
“I really enjoyed this course,” says Blasczyk, “I’m grateful that NCRA offers it for those of us exploring an interest in court reporting. Moving forward, I’m excited to practice the basic concepts that we’ve learned as I research court reporting programs.”
Industry leader support
Stenograph and ProCAT assist participants by providing a modern steno machine for an affordable rental rate. Both ProCAT and Stenograph, alongside Advantage Software, offer discounts for our A to Z certificate holders, which assists them in continuing their education. Our vendors met virtually with prospective students at our Vendor Open House in November.
As always, the continued success of A to Z for participants like Liam, Brenda, and Ashley, relies on professionals who generously donate their time to grow the next generation of reporters. NCRA would like to thank the following individuals for being a program facilitator:
- Geanell Adams, FAPR, RMR, CRR, CRC, CRI, Raymond, Miss.
- Gabriela Baerje, RPR, CRR, Castaic, Calif.
- Robin Balletto, RMR, East Hampton, Conn.
- Brenda Blackburn, RPR, Hollandale, Miss.
- Meredith Bonn, RPR, CRR, Webster, N.Y.
- Abbey Coronado, RPR, Houston, Texas
- Carolyn Coronado, RPR, Bellaire, Texas
- Stacy Drohosky, RMR, CRR, CRI, Crown Point, Ind.
- Michele Eddy, RPR, CRR, CRI, North Ridgeville, Ohio
- Judy Regalado Evans, Athens, Texas
- Chelsey Fafard, RPR, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
- Kimberly Farkas, RPR, CRR, Las Vegas, Nev.
- Melinda Garriga, RPR, Odessa, Texas
- Renne Leguire, RMR, CRR, Clifton Park, N.Y.
- Joanne McKenzie, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Mekailah McChriston, RPR, CRR, Spring, Texas
- Cindy McMahon, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Kelly Moranz, CRI, Parma, Ohio
- Lisa Claud Neal, RPR, CRI, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Melanie Owen, RPR, Pontotoc, Miss.
- Cathy Penniston, RPR, CRI, Waukee, Iowa
- Colleen Platt, RPR, Lincoln Park, N.J.
- Jerri Porter, RPR, CRR, Nashville, Tenn.
- Margary Rogers, RPR, CRI, Washington, D.C.
- Karen Santucci, CRI, Forest Hills, N.Y.
- Leticia Salas, RDR, Houston, Texas
- Keegan Sheppard, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Cristy Smith, RPR, CRI, Beaumont, Texas
- Johanne Smith, N.J.
- Bethan Williams, RSR, Vancouver, Wash.
Would you like to join us to support our Asynchronous Program in 2026? Please reach out directly to Lisa Dennison at atozprog@ncra.org for more information. If you would like to help promote NCRA A to Z and the profession as a whole, please consider adding a button to your website or email signature, linking to the DiscoverSteno homepage.
You also are invited to visit our Resource Center under “Promote the Profession” and utilize those materials including flyers and QR codes.
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