Northern Marianas College recently recognized hard-working and dedicated employees by naming the recipients of the 2024 Annual PROA Employee Awards. The awards honor employees for their outstanding performance, contributions to NMC, and commitment to student learning.
The selection of award recipients was made by a committee composed of staff and faculty. The awards were presented during the government agency-wide Labor Day picnic held at the Garapan Fishing Base.
William Hunter, the college’s Distance Learning Education coordinator, is NMC’s overall Employee of the Year and also earned the nod for Non-Instructional Faculty of the Year.
According to nomination committee members, Hunter is an innovative individual who is passionate about his work. He is known for his steadfast work ethic, calm demeanor, and respectfulness, always going above and beyond to provide hands-on assistance in resolving problems.
Lili “Rita” Duan, NMC’s grants coordinator, is the college’s Staff of the Year. Her colleagues regard her as someone who consistently exceeds expectations. She possesses strong leadership qualities, including empathy and effective communication skills. Duan is recognized for her organizational skills and ability to multitask while keeping students’ needs in mind.
Dr. Barbara Hunter, the interim director for NMC’s School of Business, has been recognized as the college’s Faculty of the Year.
Her peers noted her genuine care for her students and her team. Dr. Hunter is described as passionate about her profession, motivated by her students, and committed to the college’s mission of cultivating stewardship through scholarship.
Malyssa Castro, a student support counselor from Project PROA, is NMC’s Counselor of the Year. Her colleagues describe Castro as a passionate and approachable counselor who has implemented various initiatives to help students succeed. She is dedicated to her role and is regarded as a valuable resource for students, embodying a positive attitude in all her endeavors and aligning with the college’s vision of enhancing learning for all.
David J. Attao, the college’s chief financial officer, is this year’s Supervisor of the Year. Attao is credited with leading NMC to a clean financial audit with no findings this fiscal year. His peers recognize him as the “epitome of finance,” noting his solution-oriented approach and effective collaboration with employees to ensure stability at NMC. (PR)
Northern Marianas College recently recognized hard-working and dedicated employees by naming the recipients of the 2023 Annual PROA Employee Awards. The awards recognize employees’ outstanding performance, contribution to NMC, and their commitment to student learning.
Selection of the awards were made by a committee composed of staff and faculty. The awards were presented during the government agency wide Labor Day picnic held at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Jerome Ortiz, the interim Information Technology director for the college, is the overall employee of the year.
“I am truly humbled to be named the Employee of the Year,” Ortiz said. “This incredible achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of my fellow IT colleagues. Together, we’ve pioneered innovation, championed digital transformation, and fueled the engine of information technology.”
Database administrator Renedel Buno won the “Staff of the Year” award, and credits his success due to his team at the Information Technology department and the Office of Institutional Advancement.
“The collective always outweighs the individual, no matter what,” Buno said. “I’m truly honored to have been named the 2023 Staff of the Year, yet I recognize that my accomplishments are meaningful only because of the support and trust I receive from my colleagues and the college. While the award is meaningful, I take greater pride in the knowledge that our work has a positive effect on the college and, on a larger scale, contributes to the advancement of the community.”
Patricia Coleman, the interim dean for NMC’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services, won the “Supervisor of the Year” award.
“Congratulations to all of the NMC awardees,” Coleman said. “It’s a blessing to work with such a great team composed of so many individuals who are dedicated and passionate about higher education and enhancing our community. “
Dr. Beylul Solomon, a professor with NMC’s School of Education, was awarded as the college’s Faculty of the Year.
“I am so deeply humbled and grateful to have been selected as Faculty of the Year by my peers and colleagues!” Solomon said. “I am honored to be included in such a talented and dedicated group of educators who are equally deserving of this award. Thank you for the recognition. I don’t take this honor lightly.”
Recognized as the Non-Instructional Faculty of the Year was William Hunter, the college’s Distance Learning Education coordinator.
“I am extremely humbled and grateful to have been recognized as Non-Instructional Faculty of the year. I continue to be motivated by the dedication and hard work of our entire NMC team,” said Hunter.
He also expresses his drive stemming from his desire to continue improving the learning environment for the students of NMC, along with knowing that his work has a positive impact on the lives of students.
“I am also very grateful to my family for their continuous support,” Hunter added. “Additionally, I am thankful for Dr. G and our entire NMC Leadership Team, including our Board of Regents for all their hard work, dedication, and support.”
Awarded as Counselor of the Year was Dawn Margaret Sarmiento, who is a counselor with NMC’s Disability Support Services.
“I am grateful, humbled, and honored for being nominated and named Counselor of the Year,” Sarmiento said.
Five years ago, Sarmiento was named Student of the Year as a Rehabilitation & Human Services student at NMC. She shares how this feat is a display of how impactful the College is in mentoring students into becoming professionals.
Sarmiento added, “I am also thankful and blessed for my fellow Counselors and the entire Learning Support Services and Student Support Services Team as we continue to be each other’s support system to provide the services we give to our students and our campus community.” (PR)
Interim Information Technology director and Employee of the Year Jerome Ortiz, center, with NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, left, and NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie Eliptico, right.
-NMC
Renedel Buno, Staff of the Year and Database Administrator, center, with NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Jerome Ortiz, interim Information Technology director and Employee of the Year, and Frankie Eliptico, NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement.
-NMC
Interim dean for NMC’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services Patricia Coleman, center, with NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, left, and NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie Eliptico, right.
-NMC
Faculty of the Year, Dr. Beylul Solomon, with her son Yosef William Fife IV, NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, interim dean for Academic Programs and Services Lorraine Maui, and NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie Eliptico.
-NMC
Non-instructional Faculty of the Year and Distance Learning Education coordinator William Hunter with NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, interim dean for Academic Programs and Services Lorraine Maui, and NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie Eliptico.
-NMC
Counselor of the Year and Disability Support Services counselor Dawn Margaret Sarmiento, center, with NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, left, and NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie Eliptico, right.
As part of its ongoing effort to recognize and honor its employees, the Northern Marianas College recently named the recipients of its 2014 Annual PROA Employee Awards. The awards recognize employees’ outstanding performance, contribution to NMC, and their commitment to student learning.
Selection of the award was made by a committee composed of staff and faculty.
The 2014 Staff Member of the Year was awarded to Raynard Travilla, who works in the External Relations Office. Raynard has been with NMC for about five years.
The 2014 Instructional Faculty of the Year was awarded to Barry Wicksman, who is an instructor in the Languages and Humanities Department at the Northern Marianas College.
The 2014 Non-instructional Faculty of the Year was awarded to Maria Aguon, who works as NMC’s instructor/program coordinator at the Tinian campus.
And finally, the Supervisor of the Year award was given you Amanda Allen, who works as NMC’s Distance Learning Director. Allen also serves as Accreditation Liaison Officer.
“We are extremely proud of the PROA award recipients,” said NMC president Dr. Sharon Hart. “These employees are all hard working individuals and their contributions to the college have been and continues to be significant.”
“The entire college community joins me in congratulating them for this important achievement,” added Hart.
During a campus assembly, the college also recognized the contributions of those employees who have worked at NMC for several years. Awards were handed out to employees who worked more than five, 10, 15, or 20 years.
Special recognition was given to Percy Cing, who has worked for NMC for 30 consecutive years. Cing works as an administrative officer at NMC’s Tinian campus.
Employees who worked at NMC for five years or more include Johnny Aldan, Anita Camacho, Monalyn Camacho, Marcelo Gonzalez, Bill Joseph, Emiling Lisua, Jose Manibusan, Raymond Muna, Yolanda Muna, Beverly Ngirmekur, Michael Ogo, Lescheweisei Ogumoro-Uludong, Keane Jay Palacios, John Quitugua, Thomas Sharts, Irene Tudela, Claus Bier, Daisie Mae Camacho, Velma Deleon Guerrero, Frankie Eliptico, Petrus Faimau, Jennifer Fejeran-Hanson, Oscar Flores, Rose Lazaro, Karla Mareham, Jovian Almada, Helen Camacho, Rose Castro, Jang Kim, Leonard Morales, Leo Pangelinan, Barbara Merfalen, Isabel Sablan, and Colleen Villagomez.
Employees who worked for more NMC for 10 years or more are Maria Aguon, Joaquin Kiyoshi, Clarice Arriola, Lisa Lunde, Timberly Ngewakl, Constantine Papadopoulos, Patricia Coleman, Lawrence Duponcheel, Velma Mafnas, Michael Nurmi, James Deleon Guerrero, Joan Flores, Daisy Manglona-Propst, Ruthie Skang-Ngewakl, David Attao, Solita Barnes, Shirley Blas, Josephine Dela Cruz, Katherine Palacios, and Barry Wicksman.
Employees who have worked for NMC for 15 years or more include Eric Johnson, Arnold Route, Barbara Hunter, Magiel Smith, Randall Nelson, Bonnie Royal, Lorraine Cabrera, Ramon Dela Cruz, Poonsri Algaier, and Robert Suzuki.
And finally, those employees who have worked for NMC for 20 or more years are Margarita Prater, Barry Wonenberg, Lisa Hacskaylo, Gregorio Sablan, Margarita Tudela, Anemary Yoshida, Jesusa Atalig, Polly Omechelang, Elsie Cabrera, and Priscilla Cing. (NMC)
