Hart vows to bring sense of stability, harmony to NMC

Dr. Sharon Hart, the incoming president of the Northern Marianas College, vows to bring a sense of stability and harmony to the institution so it could effectively achieve its goals and mission.

Hart, in an email interview with the Saipan Tribune, said these are the keys to placing the institution in the best status possible.

“First, it is important that I help to bring a sense of stability to the college. A college has major difficulties when the office of the president is viewed more as a revolving door than one that brings a sense of stability and harmony. Also, it will be important for me to gain the full trust and support of the board, as well as of the faculty, staff, students, and community leaders. Only then will I be able to effectively establish and carry out a vision for NMC,” she said.

For Hart, constructing a vision for NMC is not something that she will be doing alone.

She said it must be one that provides direction for where NMC is headed; must be one that is believed by the faculty, staff, students, and others that has the potential to transform the institution; and must be one that is crafted together with members of the college community taking ownership in its development.

“And then, from this vision will come the task of strategic planning to enable NMC to achieve its goals,” she said.

Additionally, Hart said she will need to spend much time in the community and become acquainted with its leaders and listen to their thoughts and ideas about the college.

And even more important, she must help raise money on behalf of the college.

“So, my time will also be devoted to working with the NMC Foundation in this capacity and in helping them to achieve their fundraising goals,” she told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

Hart will officially assume the post on July 5.

Hart, who bested two other individuals for the post, admitted that she has much to learn as the new college president. “It is only after spending weeks and months ahead of listening, studying, and conversing with all constituents and in working with the Board of Regents that I will be able to outline my expectations and goals for the college.”

These goals, she said, must first be shared internally before going public.

“What the college and the community will find is that I am a strong believer of effective planning. How we anticipate trends and determine strategies to achieve organizational goals and objectives will be key. My goal will be to work harmoniously with the board while they focus on the larger policy issues and outline specific outcomes for NMC. From these outcomes, my job as president will then be to work with the college community to develop strategic directions.”

Despite the low salary package she will get, Hart said it is her personal choice and decision to accept the post. Hart will be paid $80,000 annually, plus benefits.

She vowed to address salary concerns for all faculty and staff.

“The salary package for the president as well as those for the faculty and staff has been an issue at the college for many years. At the same time, it was my choice to apply for and seek the presidency at NMC. Yes, the college needs to pay competitive salaries and benefits to all employees. We do need to be benchmarked against our peer [similar] institutions. I know the entire issue around salaries and benefits is a key one for the board and something that we will need to address together,” she added.

Hart acknowledged that NMC has numerous challenges. She first became aware of these challenges four years ago when she visited NMC’s campuses on Saipan and Tinian. Over the years, she continued to stay abreast of issues and challenges impacting the college.

“When I saw that NMC was once again looking for a new president, I felt the time was right for me to consider the job and for joining the college. What is important is that all of NMC’s challenges must be viewed as a pack of hidden opportunities. The college must be able to come together and solve these in a manner that will only push the institution forward in a successful manner,” she said.

For Hart, understanding organizational challenges is at the heart of successful strategic planning. “When NMC addresses challenges proactively it will provide an opportunity for creating a solid future for the institution. Additionally, we must listen to the needs of the communities that we serve. Are our programs in line with the employment demands of the Commonwealth? Are we serving as the engine of economic growth for all of our communities? These are the questions I will be wanting to have answers to.”