Just three weeks into his new job, the newly hired director of the Northern Marianas College's School of Education abruptly resigned from his post, catching many of his colleagues unaware.
Sources told Saipan Tribune yesterday that Dr. Frank R. Trocki sent his resignation letter via email to NMC president Sharon Y. Hart, Ph.D. over the weekend, citing “personal issues.” He reportedly left the island immediately.
Trocki was hired from off-island to fill the director position, which has been vacant for quite some time. He came aboard some three weeks ago and was officially introduced to the Board of Regents just last week.
Saipan Tribune learned that Barbara Merfalen, the dean of Academic Programs and Services, informed faculty and directors about Trocki's sudden departure on Monday.
Merfalen confirmed Trocki's resignation in a statement yesterday.
“It is unfortunate that Dr. Trocki had to resign due to personal issues that required his return to the mainland. We have already identified instructors that will assume the courses that Dr. Trocki was assigned to teach,” said Merfalen.
She said the college will immediately begin the process of finding a replacement.
Some employees said they were taken by surprise by Trocki's resignation. Although the former director cited personal and medical reasons in his resignation letter, they said he had never displayed any visible signs of health problems.
Prior to joining NMC, Trocki worked as an education consultant for business development at Aspen University and for Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Montana.
Hart and Board of Regents chair Juan Lizama are currently at a conference in Washington, D.C. Other board members will attend the same conference in April in California.
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
