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NMC finally has a complete board
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Posted on May 15 2006
The Northern Marianas College Board of Regents is finally complete after Maria “Malua” Peter’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate last Thursday during a session at the Tinian Court House.
“Peter was confirmed by a unanimous vote, making her the seventh member of the NMC Board of Regents. We now have a full board after nearly six months without a quorum. Peter will represent the women of the CNMI and Saipan,” said NMC president Tony V. Deleon Guerrero.
Deleon Guerrero said Peter would bring to the board her many years of educational service and experience as a public servant. He added that Peter would be a great addition to the BOR.
Peter joins chairperson Kimberlyn King-Hinds, regents Elaine H. Orilla, Eloise Furey, Dr. Rita H. Inos, Linsa F. Lizama, and Charles V. Cepeda, and honorary student member Rose Marie Jones, honorary staff member Lorraine Cabrera, and honorary faculty member David Rumptz in the reconstituted BOR after the terms of four members expired last October.
Earlier, Deleon Guerrero said the entire board is looking forward to working with Peter.
Peter, whose term will expire on Nov. 14, 2009, replaced former regent Abelina C. Cabrera, whose term expired on Nov. 14, 2005.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial appointed Peter to the post in April after former NMC president emeritus Agnes McPhetres declined the governor’s initial appointment due to personal reasons.
Fitial told the Senate that he and the lieutenant governor are confident that Peter is qualified and would be an asset on the Board of Regents.
Peter was a member of the House of Representatives from 1994 to 2002. She also served as the governor’s special assistant for women’s affairs from 1992 to 1993. Two banks employed her before she joined the U.S. Postal Service, where she worked for 13 years. Peter also served in previous years as Board of Education board member.
Fitial initially nominated McPhetres to the NMC post. But McPhetres declined the appointment due to a possible conflict of interest. She is currently working with the University of Hawaii on several academic projects to raise education standards in the Commonwealth.
