Hart leaves as NMC president

Northern Marianas College president Dr. Sharon Hart has filed a leave of absence until her contract expires in June. Dave Attao, dean of Administration and Resource Development, was appointed as acting president by the Board of Regents. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

Dr. Sharon Hart will no longer be serving as the president of the Northern Marianas College as she has taken a leave of absence until her contract expires.

The leave of absence was effective starting yesterday through the end of Hart’s contract in June.

“I was able to finalize discussions with the Board of Regents and the board has agreed that I will be able to, effective immediately, be on a leave so that way I can look at pursuing my future endeavors, spend time with my family,” Hart said in a conference with department heads and the media yesterday.

“In all fairness to the institution I can’t be gone so much and focusing on me right now. It’s not fair for the college,” she added, saying that she appreciated the board “standing by me during this time.”

In a special meeting last Wednesday, the Board of Regents approved Hart’s request for a leave of absence from the college.

“It is our priority to ensure that academic programs and student services continue as usual during this transition,” chair Frank Rabauliman said in a statement, “To this end, I have asked David Attao to serve as acting president while the search for a new president is underway.”

Attao is the college’s dean of Administration and Resource Development. He oversees NMC’s administrative services, the Community Development Institute, NMC-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the grants management function, and the NMC Bookstore. He also helps to lead NMC’s workforce development initiatives as well as serve various community boards.

Attao received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Oregon, and has a Master’s Degree in Education from Framingham State University. 

“I want to thank Dr. Hart for her guidance and leadership these past years and us and this management team are going to continue the team effort moving forward,” Attao said.

“I’m leaving this institution in very good hands,” Hart said.

Hart said she believes it is the best time for her to step aside and leave on a high note.

“I think as an outgoing president that is the No. 1 thing that you want to feel, that the college is better than it was when I first came here. I, at least, feel that way,” Hart said.

Looking back at some of the hardships and achievements that NMC had gone through, Hart noted the work they have done when the college was under show-cause status.

“Going from being a show-cause to being reaffirmed and with no team visits or reports due, and I think very importantly at the same time, to be working together as a team for the transition and within four months we had WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges) Senior here then to do a self-study to have us literally move under WASC Senior and then we received the letter in July of 2014 saying that we were successful and that we would be initially accredited under WASC Senior,” Hart said.

“Even WASC said to us it’s impossible to do all that fast but they didn’t know NMC,” she added.

Hart thanked the college community especially the students, which she has also earlier addressed.

“I am grateful and thankful to the NMC Board for entrusting the leadership of this wonderful college to me since July of 2011. Serving as your president has been the highlight of my career. Words cannot express how honored and appreciative I have felt serving as your CEO. It has truly been a remarkable experience and one I will forever cherish,” Hart said.

“I truly, truly enjoyed my last close to five years here in this institution,” she added.