NMC braces for year 2000

The Northern Marianas College prepares for the coming millennium with a strategic master plan that will steer its academic mission and vision for the next five years.

“This is the overarching idea as to where we should be moving towards the 21st century,” as NMC President Agnes McPhetres would put it.

The document will also support NMC’s request for annual appropriation from the government. Since it gives a comprehensive picture on where the school is heading to, McPhetres is optimistic that NMC can secure the funding it deserves

In preparing for this plan, NMC had to go back to the community it was mandated to serve, inquiring from people about their needs and how the college can help.

Questionnaires were also sent out to the business sector to keep NMC attuned to the existing opportunities in the local job market.

“That’s how we focused our master plan — to reflect the needs of the community,” she said.

From interviews and answered questionnaires, this strategic master plan offers program development and delivery that are reflective of the needs of the community.

The improved version is due for public comment before final publication.

“Although we feel that we have the very plan but we still have to bring it out to the community and possibly make some future modifications,” she said.

The plan is also part of the requirements for NMC to maintain its accreditation with the Western Association of School and Colleges.