Maricopa Community College Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Lisa Armour and Northland Pioneer College President Dr. Von Lawson celebrated the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the colleges at a ceremony Friday, July 18, 2025. They were joined by administration and faculty from both colleges. This agreement marks a major milestone for their shared commitment to expanding access to affordable bachelor’s degrees across Arizona.
Maricopa Community Colleges is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Northland Pioneer College (NPC), establishing a transfer pathway into one of the system’s 11 affordable bachelor’s degree programs. This collaboration marks Maricopa Community Colleges’ first formal community college transfer partnership since launching its bachelor’s degree programs in 2023.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone for our system,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “Representing our commitment to accessible, affordable bachelor’s degree pathways, while demonstrating our ability to collaborate with our community college counterparts. What matters most is that students throughout the state will benefit from this new transfer pathway.”
Transferring Made Easy
Students who complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Behavioral Health Studies at NPC will now have a clear and efficient pathway to transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences offered at South Mountain Community College. This partnership supports students while reducing barriers and maximizing credit transfer without delay or duplication of coursework.
Ensuring students have an easy transition from NPC to one of the system’s 10 colleges, the agreement includes coordinated curriculum alignment, outreach, and student-centered processes. These efforts reflect Maricopa Community Colleges and NPC’s continued commitment to empowering students, especially those pursuing careers in behavioral health, to reach their academic and professional goals.
“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to student success and workforce development across Arizona,” said Dr. Von Lawson, President of Northland Pioneer College. “By creating a seamless transfer pathway in behavioral health sciences, we are expanding opportunities for students in rural communities while addressing one of the state’s most urgent healthcare needs.”
The Big Picture
Today, more than 2 million Arizonans live in communities without enough mental health professionals. In the next five years, Arizona will need over 2,400 skilled behavioral health professionals to meet workforce demands. By expanding education opportunities for students in rural and urban communities, Maricopa Community Colleges and NPC proactively support Arizona’s communities' rising demand for behavioral health services.
This spring, nearly 100 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees from Maricopa Community Colleges. Currently, there are more than 5,440 students enrolled in one of the affordable programs.
Learn more at maricopa.edu