The Navajo County Community College District Governing Board has named Mark Vest as the new president of Northland Pioneer College.
Recruiting for the position began in October of 2017. Vest, who has served as Vice President for Learning and Student Services for the past 13 years, has been chosen to lead the college from among four finalists that were considered for the position. It was noted that Vest has devoted his entire career to post secondary education. He came to NPC in 2001 as an advising coordinator and was appointed dean of students in 2003 before being promoted to Vice President for Learning and Student Services at NPC in 2005. In 2008, Vest took on the responsibility of all instruction at the college.
Vest has a Bachelor’s degree in history and holds a Master’s degree in American history both from the University of Kentucky. He also has a Master’s degree in higher education leadership and student affairs from Ohio State University. Vest has additional graduate work from Ohio State in diplomatic and military history.
“President Swarthout has made an enormous impact on this college as a dean, as a vice president and as a president. I hope that all of us working together can continue the work that she, the board and the college have done to move this institution forward,” said Vest.
Vest and his wife moved to Pinetop in 2000 and chose to make Navajo County their home and have raised two daughters in Pinetop. Vest is the eighth president of NPC.
