The Navajo County Community College Governing Board convened Tuesday, June 17. During the Classified & Administrative Staff Organization (CASO) presentation, CASO President Melissa Willis spoke on the college’s Community & Corporate Learning (CCL) program. CCL provides noncredit enrichment classes for anyone interested in taking them as well as free virtual courses, none of which are based on a semester schedule and can be taken year-round. Willis listed many subjects that are currently offered, adding “If you need to do it and you want to do it, reach out to us. We will find a subject matter expert and we will make the class happen.” Among those currently offered are agriculture, art, business, health and computers.

CCL also works to provide educational classes for kids in June and July in subjects such as quilting, video game design, art, choir and theater. Kids also learn to apply for scholarships and get a taste of campus life through the classes and bootcamps. “We want everyone to know that college is accessible to all, and there is no barrier too great that you can’t get over,” stated Willis.

CCL also provides certified training on a local level to ease the burden on local businesses in relation to costly training. Through partnerships with Salt River Project, Navajo County, Apache County, Tucson Electric Power, Arizona Public Service and more, the college is able to provide training through their noncredit department. Certifications include commercial drivers license, emergency medical technician, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), fire science, phlebotomy and welding.

The board presented administrator emeritus status to four retired faculty members, including Director of NPC Friends & Family (NPCFF) Betsyann Wilson. Wilson dedicated over 28 years to NPC, 11 of which were as NPCFF Director. Faculty praised Wilson for her dedication to the college and its students. “She took the organization from nothing for NPC students to rapidly growing fund source for student success,” was quoted from a written statement from former NPC President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout.

During call to the public, Springerville resident Terry Shove spoke, giving praise to NPC and Wilson’s efforts. “Northland Pioneer does some astounding things for students, the communities. And part of that is Betsy.” Shove also encouraged the college to expand further into Apache County.

During Wilson’s final NPCFF report, she stated “I want to invite all of you to continue to support students as well as you have, and I want to thank you from my heart for all the support you have given to me, to NPC Friends & Family and to students. You all know that this is a very unique and special institution.”

Retired Dean of Nursing Ruth Zimmerman, Academic Advisor Michael Colwell and Director of Career and Technical Education Program Development and Sustainability Frank Pinnell were also honored and given Emeritus Status.

During the construction report, Director of Facilities and Transportation Justin White explained that the Goldwater project at White Mountain Campus is set for substantial completion by Sept. 1, with move-in starting after classes begin in late August. Holbrook’s Painted Desert Campus’ automotive department remodel will be finished June 30, with move-in projected by mid-July. Winslow’s Little Colorado Campus will begin planning for the cosmetology building in the fall, and Kayenta’s center design is progressing, with the final floor plans to be shared with the board in August.

The board received standing presentations on the college’s financial position and from the NPC Student Government Association, Compensation Committee report, Human Resources and an Enterprise Resource Planning implementation update.

The board entered into an executive session for a discussion on President’s Von Lawson performance as well as to set goals. After which, the board voted to give President Lawson the same cost of living adjustment as was given to other administration for the college, with the amount not specified.

Director Russell Kupfer presented the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) financial ratios, which surmised that the college scored well above the threshold for financial health as it has for years.

The board cancelled the regular meeting scheduled for July 15.

In other business, the board:

* Accepted nearly $1.5 million in grant funding from Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN) to support the expansion of the construction technology program.

* Authorized Chief Fiscal Officer Maderia Ellison to submit the fiscal year 2026 annual budgeted expenditure limitation report to the Arizona Auditor General.

* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) to pay up to $500,000 to support programs at NPC’s Holbrook location to fund equipment purchases.

* Approved the purchase of annual support and maintenance from Jenzabar Inc. for $416,168. This is a budgeted, annual renewal.

* Accepted $500,000 in funding from NAVIT to purchase capital equipment in jointly operated programs shared with the college.