Northern Marianas Housing Corp. deputy corporate director Zenie Mafnas was confirmed as a member of the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents during an emergency Senate hearing last Dec. 2.<\/p>\n
Mafnas was approved by the Senate to take over Frank Rabauliman\u2019s place as one of the regents of the CNMI\u2019s lone community college.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce I join the Board of Regents, I am going to have to look at the different programs more closely. Right now, I did my basic research and from there, I can gather the status of how it is now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
During the public comments section of the hearing, numerous NMC staff were vouched their support for Mafnas, who is a former NMC adjunct instructor and student.<\/p>\n
Pastor Ray Kinsella, senior pastor of Mafnas\u2019 high school, Grace Christian Academy, was also present at the hearing. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing I will say, she is a person of integrity. She is one who embraces and adheres to Christian values. She loves the people of the CNMI and is committed to seeing the CNMI grow and prosper,\u201d said Kinsella.<\/p>\n
Reps. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan) and Blas Jonathan Attao (Ind-Saipan) and former representative and now Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance chair Oscar Babauta were also present at the hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve known [Mafnas] for seven years. Her educational background and her leadership skills in her present position as deputy director of NMHC is a testament to her ability to serve as a regent,\u201d said Sablan.<\/p>\n
Babauta also praised Mafnas in the vernacular.<\/p>\n
Senate Executive Appointments & Government Investigations committee member Sen. Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan) said there\u2019s no question about Mafnas\u2019 ability to perform. \u201cIt is very clear that [Mafnas] is certainly very qualified for this position,\u201d said Palacios. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that she is a very hardworking individual, very focused. In effect, I don\u2019t really have questions of her ability. I want to congratulate her for being nominated by the governor and the lieutenant governor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senate EAGI committee member Teresita Santos (R-Rota) agreed with Palacios.<\/p>\n
\u201cA review of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 speaks volumes of your educational background, with very consistent and strong emphasis in the field of accounting,\u201d said Santos.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour oral testimony confirms what is written in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9; in fact, your oral testimony further strengthen your goal and objectives for our campuses on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian. Having said all these, we trust that you can make a positive impact at NMC for the best interest of our students and our community alike,\u201d added Santos<\/p>\n
Senate EAGI committee vice chair Justo Quitugua (Ind-Saipan) was happy that Mafnas returned to Saipan after gaining her master\u2019s degree at the Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no questions or comments on your credentials,\u201d said Quitugua. \u201cI am really glad that after all these years of sacrifices to obtain credentials, you [Mafnas] decided to come home and see what you can do to serve our people, and I am so grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quitugua, who also cited the nominating committee at NMC for nominating Mafnas, suggested that NMC look into accommodating students from high school that are taking up college courses. Quitugua suggested collaborating with the CNMI Scholarship Office regarding this.<\/p>\n
Mafnas herself was honored by the number of supporters who testified for her. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am very humbled by their support. I am very appreciative; I am very overwhelmed, I didn\u2019t expect a big number coming. I also want to thank the senators for doing this expeditiously but also by complying with the Office of the Attorney General\u2019s requirements. I\u2019m excited to work with NMC, if confirmed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mafnas was chosen by NMC\u2019s regent nominating committee, which was then passed on to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres for appointment along with other candidates before being approved by the Senate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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