NMC College Month proclaimed

April is Northern Marianas College Month after Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed the proclamation during the 25th Silver Anniversary Commemoration Day at the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan Hibiscus Hall last Thursday.

NMC Small Business Development Center program director Eric Plinske read the proclamation letter before the ceremonial signing. Plinske said the celebration is in line with President Bush’s declaration designating April 2006 as National Community College Month.

Plinske said that this year, the celebration will also coincide with the college’s 25 years of service and achievement as a community college, providing educational opportunities for the people of the Commonwealth.

“NMC was established on March 23, 1981, with a mission to provide the best quality and meaningful postsecondary and adult educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals and the Commonwealth as a whole,” reads part of the proclamation letter.

Currently, NMC offers 18 associate degree programs, 18 certificates of achievement programs, 17 certificates of completion programs, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Over 20,000 people have enrolled at NMC in regular academic degree and certificate classes since the college was founded in 1981.

More than 3,100 individuals have been awarded diplomas, certificates and degrees in programs offered or coordinated by the college from 1982 through 2005: 582 high school diplomas, 651 certificates, 1,472 associate degrees, and 113 baccalaureate degrees.

These were all awarded directly by NMC, said Plinske.

Through collaborative partnerships with other colleges and universities, NMC has facilitated the awarding of 290 degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.

Among the successful programs and institutes that have made a huge difference in the lives of CNMI community members are: NMC-CREES, Community Development Institute, NMC Small Business Development Center and KRNM, the only public radio station in the Northern Marianas.

“Northern Marianas College is a rich and expansive community resource for adult, continuing, and higher education, and it is playing an ever-increasing role in improving the quality of life in the Commonwealth, as well as positively impacting economic development through addressing the training and education needs of our most vital, our most enduring, and our most valued and treasured resource—our people.”

Fitial said the community should recognize and commend NMC as it continues to provide educational and training services vital to the social and economic development of the CNMI. “I urge everyone to support NMC in this observance and to appreciate the value of having a quality post-secondary institution here in the CNMI,” Fitial said.