Finding a purpose for the NMC Alumni Association

Jesse Torres shares with Saipan Tribune his thoughts about the duty and importance of the newly formed alumni association of the Northern Marianas College. In this critical time of its accreditation, the association president believes that the group will help assist the institution in addressing accreditation requirements and concerns.

[B]Question: When was the NMC Alumni Association formed and what is its purpose?
Answer:[/B] It was formed early 2008 with the goal of providing support to the only community college in the CNMI. Our goal is to focus on ways that NMC can continuously improve upon itself by sharing our experiences and observations from when we were students. We also want to help alumni network with each other and contribute to the community.

[B]Q: Why did you want to become the NMC Alumni Association president?
A:[/B] At first I wasn’t planning on becoming president. I was at the first meeting to see fellow alumni and then was nominated by alumni John Gonzalez and got elected. Nonetheless, I am extremely honored and humbled that my fellow alumni voted to place me in this important position.

[B]Q. Who are considered alumni?
A:[/B] Alumni members are those individuals who have obtained degrees, titles, or certificates from an academic unit of the Northern Marianas College, or who have completed at least 24 academic units. Those who want to become registered members of the NMC Alumni Association can log on to www.nmcnet.edu and download an application form.

[B]Q: How is the NMC Alumni Association assisting the college in meeting accreditation efforts?
A:[/B] We meet with NMC staff and provide them with data from the alumni, which WASC has requested for. Data such as how NMC has helped the alumni in regards to their career field and also data like student satisfaction with NMC’s performance. We are currently assisting to distribute and collect the alumni survey which will help track student achievement data.

[B]Q: How well did your education at NMC prepare you for your career in the private sector?
A:[/B] NMC helped prepare me for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Most of my credits were transferred to Portland State University and I did not have to leave my home island to get my associate degree.

[B]Q: What kind of benefits are you planning to make available for NMC alumni?
A:[/B] We want to maximize the number of benefits that are offered to NMC alumni. This includes access to the NMC gym, computer labs, and library. We are approaching businesses as well for discounts for alumni members. If any business wants to offer a special promotion or discount to NMC alumni, it should contact us.

[B]Q: What kind of activities are you planning for NMC alumni?
A:[/B] We have an alumni reunion barbecue at Managaha on April 4, 2009. We are expecting a huge turnout for this event.

[B]Q: What kind of advice would you give to high school students who are ready to go to college?
A:[/B] Attend NMC before going off island to other colleges. Support our local economy by attending our local college. We all talk about how our economy is dying, but not much action is being taken. The CNMI needs all the help it can get so we can help our economy, and at the same time, obtain an associate degree from NMC. NMC is as good, if not better, as other community colleges in other parts of the U.S. It is accredited by WASC and offers many fields of study.