Boosting capacity of NMC students to succeed

Newly appointed dean of Student Services at Northern Marianas College, Janice Tenorio shares with Saipan Tribune her hopes and expectations as she takes on this challenging new role for CNMI students. As dean, Tenorio is responsible for overseeing various divisions that administer vital programs and services that promote students’ educational advancement and enrichment. Last year, Tenorio served as director of Student Support Services, which is part of the Division of Student Services. It handles some 180 students per year and provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. The new dean possesses a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from San Diego State University.

Saipan Tribune: What are the important roles you play as the newly appointed dean of Student Services?

Answer: This position carries one of the most important responsibilities of the college: the provision of high quality services to our students. We play a critical role in assisting students not only in achieving their academic goals, but also in helping them as they grow professionally, socially, and intellectually. To do this, we want to offer a diverse range of programs and services that are student-focused and success-oriented.

ST: Prior to becoming dean, was there any job at the lower level that you would not want to give up? Why?

A: I think all the jobs I’ve held at the Northern Marianas College have been beneficial and educational. Each position, whether it’s a management level or a staff level position, plays a key role in enhancing the students’ experience at NMC. One of the greatest perks of becoming the dean of Student Services is that I will continue to have a high level of interaction with the students. They are my passion and they are what drive me to do my best.

ST: What are your expectations now that you’re dealing directly with students?

A: I’ve always been dealing directly with students even with the other positions I have held at the college, including the director of Admissions and Records and the director of the federally-funded Student Support Services. I have always maintained an open door policy with students, and I’ve always encouraged them to come see me if they need any guidance. In fact, one of the things I enjoy doing daily is walking around campus and meeting with various students and asking them how their classes are going and whether they need any assistance.

ST: In your first few weeks on the job, what particular challenges have you encountered and how did you handle them?

A: Of course, the college’s accreditation status is keeping everyone on campus extremely busy. The directors within the Division of Student Services, including the acting dean, Leo Pangelinan, have been doing a great job in making sure all the work needed to meet accreditation standards was being executed. I wanted to make sure the momentum was sustained. One of the first things I also wanted to do was strengthen the partnerships with the other divisions at the college. Now more than ever, we need to be working as a team to move forward.

ST: What important values do you want to instill in NMC students?

A: There are many values that I continually promote when working with students. Topping that list would be the value of working hard and furthering one’s education. I also want to help build their commitment to helping others and to regularly volunteering in various college and community events.

ST: Any particular policy or programs you want to initiate at the college’s Student Services Department?

A: There are many new initiatives that I have planned for the department. One of these is to continue building staff capacity in program review and assessment activities. We also want to strengthen some of the current services we offer and build greater awareness of their existence. For example, we offer tutoring services, standardized testing assistance, and financial assistance to both college students and high school students. We’re also currently building our career services office by sponsoring more activities that help prepare our students for the labor force.

ST: What specific areas in the Student Services Department need to be improved?

A: There’s always room for improvement in all the programs and services we provide. One of the main priorities I have is to improve our retention programs to ensure that students have affordable access to daycare so students who have young children can continue going to school. I am working closely with the president to do this. We’re also working on creating more professional development opportunities for our staff and student employees. We also want to strengthen ties with the Public School System so that we can plan other mutually beneficial activities like the recent Start Smart Seminar.

ST: At the end of each day, how would you describe your experiences as new dean of Student Services?

A: Extremely satisfying. Sometimes, I come home extremely late at night from work, but because working with students has always been my passion, long hours at the college has never been an overwhelming burden. It’s been a continually rewarding experience to see many students I have helped become extremely productive members of society. Many of these students are now high-level government officials, business executives, or community leaders. It is extremely gratifying to know that NMC has played an important role in their growth and success.