During last week’s meeting of the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board, Northland Pioneer College President Dr. Von Lawson addressed a concern he has regarding services for those living in areas far from NPC campuses and solutions he intends to implement.
“I need to sound a clear and urgent alarm regarding a matter that poses significant safety, legal and financial risk to our district.” He went on to explain a recent visit with a student that drives three hours to Winslow just to complete required course work, often in inclement weather or late at night, where safety is often a concern. “What shocked me even more was learning that they had borrowed an NPC fleet vehicle to make these trips.
“I want to be very clear. This situation is deeply alarming. We should all understand the gravity of what this means. When a student uses an NPC vehicle that traverses the remote, winding and often dangerous roads between Kayenta and our other campuses, the district assumes school responsibility for everything that happens during that trip. If an accident were to occur, even a minor one, NPC could face severe liability exposure and if, God forbid, a student or their child was to be injured or lost on those roads, the consequences would be more than tragic, that would be catastrophic for the individuals involved and for the institution.”
He explained that the role of NPC as an institution is to open doors, not to place burdens on the backs of the various students who depend on the college for success. “It is our responsibility to ensure that pursuing an education at NPC, does not require putting one’s life and the life of one’s child in jeopardy.”
Lawson noted that he had learned recently that NPC is currently the only community college district in Arizona that does not offer fully online programming and certificates. “And this revelation means that we are quite literally, last in the state in providing these essential educational opportunities to our current and potential students. It also placed us at a competitive disadvantage, both within Arizona and nationally, as more institutions continue to expand their online learning options, to meet student demand for flexibility and accessibility. “
Lawson then announced that beginning in August 2026, NPC colleges will have programs that will be available online led by Dean of Instructional Innovation Dr. Wei Ma, who has 15 years of expertise in online education.
He added that the college would look at broadening NPC’s brand and institutional reach by responding to workforce and employer needs, looking at enhancing institutional resilience and sustainability and aligning with student expectations and learning trends. “Today’s learners expect digital convenience and technological integration for their educational experiences. We will look at leveraging technology for quality and innovation.”
Dr. Ma then spoke and stated that he sees a lot of opportunity to expand online. “Diverse student population means diverse learning needs, diverse learning preferences, diverse learning styles. All requiring we provide different modalities to accommodate their needs and preferences.”
He said that some colleagues have some concerns about online course success rates. “However, if you look at the research, the online success rates really vary depending on what support mechanism, depending on the quality of course design and delivery, and depending on the readiness of our students.”
According to Dr. Ma, the college is migrating from Moodle to a better learning platform, which is Blackboard Ultra. Ma spoke not only of the urban colleges like Pima and Maricopa, but also Yavapai, Mohave, Cochise and Eastern Arizona colleges. “All offer fully online programs to meet the rural community needs. Some already offer fully online bachelor’s degrees. And most advertise those programs can be completed 100% online, without required on-campus attendance or required real time class meetings.”
Dr. Lawson emphasized that this does not mean that the college is replacing its on-campus or synchronous programs. “We know our students need all those modalities. I want to dispel a couple of myths or gossip, or conspiracy theories, whatever you want to call them. Let me be clear. I’ve heard from some folks that ‘he’s trying to create an online college.’ I want to go on the record saying that is a lie. We’re trying to get students options. We’re trying to increase enrollment, which is one of the reasons that you all brought me here. If I were trying to create an online college, the question would be, why am I working so hard with administrative services and discussions about creating, a student union not only in Show Low but in Winslow. Student unions that will focus on student development, and a sense of belonging in a community and develop cultural or social learning, and socialization skills that enhance student well-being.
“If I were trying to create an online college, why would we be working so hard on a master plan with expansion plans in Winslow, with renovation to a multipurpose for cosmetology program and the creation of a new student union and cafe there. If we’re trying to create an online college, why would we be having discussions around the possibility of purchasing additional properties, possible partnerships with local townships, and local school districts. Why would we be working so hard to populate our campuses with students and community members? The honest truth is, we’re not trying to create an online college. Technology has changed and we want to be able to step forward.”
