Northland Pioneer College (NPC) has announced the creation of a new Department of External Relations and the appointment of Rich Chanick as associate vice president for External Relations. The new leadership role will bring together workforce development, economic development and government affairs under one department to expand the college’s impact and deepen relationships with businesses, communities, and government partners.
Chanick has worked with local industries and funding partners for the past 13 years through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted at NPC. His work helped connect the college to more than $15 million in funding and build long-term partnerships. He collaborated with NPC departments to redefine the construction program, which allows students to gain experience by building on-site homes in communities with housing needs, supported through a funding partnership with the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network. He also contributed to securing $9 million in funding from the Arizona Commerce Authority for the construction of a new center in Kayenta, designed to serve regional students and expand workforce programs.
In his new role, Chanick will act as the primary liaison between NPC and external stakeholders to connect businesses, organizations, and government agencies with college resources. NPC President Von Lawson stated, “Mr. Rich Chanick will continue to be a tremendous asset to NPC’s 21,000-square-mile service area, serving students, citizens, and stakeholders across Navajo and Apache counties.”
Northland Pioneer College continues to provide affordable and accessible education to communities across northeastern Arizona. Businesses, organizations, and government officials are encouraged to contact Chanick about new opportunities, including training programs. He can be reached at rich.chanick@npc.edu.
