May 14, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
  
2023-2024 Catalog

Who We Are



The College District

Established in 1972, Navajo County Community College District, or Northland Pioneer College (NPC), is a publicly tax-supported community college located in Navajo County, Arizona. The college’s first students enrolled for the fall semester of 1974.

The Navajo County Community College District serves Navajo and Apache counties, an area of 21,158 square miles with a 2017 U.S. Census Bureau permanent population estimate of 180,562. The Navajo, Hopi, White Mountain Apache and Zuni Indian Reservations occupy more than 68.34 percent of the total land in the College service area and account for 57.8 percent of the area’s estimated population.

Campuses are located within four of the largest Navajo County communities of Holbrook, Show Low, Snowflake/Taylor and Winslow. Centers are located in Hopi, Kayenta and Whiteriver. Through an intergovernmental agreement with Apache County, NPC has centers in St. Johns and Springerville. Additional educational sites are established as educational needs and opportunities arise.

Accreditation

In order to have the right to award college degrees and certificates, institutions of higher education must be evaluated by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is charged with evaluating Northland Pioneer College. NPC is proud to report having passed the most recent (2020) evaluation with accreditation reaffirmed through 2030.

The HLC currently has revised its 10-year evaluation schedule to one that continuously monitors excellence of operational and educational standards. This new model ensures NPC students of an up-to-date, nationally recognized and accredited educational experience.

To view the criteria and standards set by the Higher Learning Commission, contact them at 230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (800) 621-7440 or online at www.hlcommission.org/.

College Visitation

The public is always welcome to visit NPC campuses and centers. Visitors are asked to check in at the campus or center office. Visitors will be held to the same standards of conduct as NPC students.

Normally the student lounges, campus/center offices, art galleries, academic advising offices, libraries, parking lots and hallways are open to the public. Classrooms and faculty offices are reserved for registered students.

While classes are in session, visitors should be considerate of students and not bring small children into classroom, laboratory or library areas.

Soliciting is prohibited on all campuses and centers.

For your safety, please keep out of construction areas. In many instances there will be public open houses when buildings are completed.

Members of the public, age 18 and over, are welcome to use the NPC libraries.* A wide selection of resources are available, including books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, DVDs, newspapers, magazines and more. Computer, internet and wifi access are available to the public for a fee (there is no additional charge for students). (See also Business & Community Services ).

For assistance, call your nearest NPC Library or Center. Our phone numbers are listed on our website (www.npc.edu/library). You may also use the “Ask a Librarian” link on the library’s website, or use your cell phone to “Text a Librarian” at (928) 351-4204.

* Services for community members are limited and may be subject to a fee.

Mascot and Colors

In 1976, Northland Pioneer College students selected the golden eagle as the college’s mascot, and gold, sky blue and red as the college colors. The red was later dropped. Royal blue and gold are now used as the college’s official colors.

Ernie Eagle represents the college at community and college events and on social media websites. Be sure to join over 1,500 of Ernie’s friends on Facebook. Ellie Eaglet is the spokeseagle for the Kids College program.


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