Guiding Beliefs as NMC President

“He does not believe who does not live according to his belief.” -- Thomas Fuller

There is always some risk when trying to decide which candidate for a position would be the best pick. It’s obvious that a person will give answers to interview questions that will put them in the best possible light; however, it’s important to look deeper into a person’s psyche to really understand who they are and what guides their decisions. People are creatures of habit and they will always act in accordance to their inner values and beliefs. They might say one thing in public that is socially accepted, but act differently when it comes time to make a decision. If someone says they believe one way, but act in contradiction to that belief, then they are fooling themselves or trying to fool those around them.

In my 100-Day Strategic Agenda I shared last week, I stated some of the actions I would take as the president of Northern Marianas College. I would now like to share a set of five beliefs that were included in my original application for president, and how they would guide my decisions and actions to help turn around the College. These beliefs may also explain why I decided to apply for the position of the president of the College.

We are at a critical juncture in the College’s history that can either prove to the community that we are a vital asset to the Commonwealth, or become just another autonomous organization pleading to not have our budget cut further. I believe we have the capacity to become even better and stronger for the following reasons:

I believe that Northern Marianas College is a key resource in the Commonwealth to improve the economy and the lives of its residents. It has the ability to enhance the CNMI’s most valuable asset – the minds of its people. Through better education, people have better ideas that will translate into better solutions to our current challenges. The College also has the ability to attract millions in grants and student funding that will circulate throughout the economy.

I believe that we can develop programs that will not only better serve all the people of the Commonwealth, but will also bring us safely through whatever economic difficulties we face ahead. The advances and opportunities available through technology have only scratched the surface at the College. Through online registration, online courses, and other programs that tap the power of technology, we can grow the College exponentially.

I believe that Northern Marianas College has enormous potential to rise above the challenges to become the premier College of choice for not only students on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, but for Asians in the Pacific Rim looking to improve their English language skills and gain a competitive advantage to get accepted at Universities in the United States. There is an enormous opportunity available by providing enhanced English education and training courses. Short-term, intensive, and regular courses are needed and we are strategically located to offer these courses to individuals in countries close to the Pacific Rim.

I believe that it will require someone who knows the College and understands the needs of the students and community in order to strengthen and develop meaningful programs, and has good organizational skills to bring everyone together at NMC to meet the challenges. My experience working with businesses to enhance their revenue base and optimize efficiency will be applied to assist the College to overcome its financial challenges.

Most importantly, I believe in the ability of the people at the College to come together during challenging times. They have done it numerous times in the past and most recently with the reaffirmation of WASC accreditation a couple of years ago. Even though we are on Show Cause again, I believe that our talented, educated, hard-working, and caring faculty and staff can overcome any challenge ahead if they are given the opportunity. It will require the right person who will trust in their abilities, and who can steer the College in the best direction. It will also require the right leader and the right kind of leadership that people can trust in to allow them to make the right decisions.

NOTE: When my application package was originally presented almost six months ago the College was in a difficult situation, and it is even more severe today. If the “window of opportunity” is still open, each passing month that a president is not in place exponentially makes it more difficult to execute a successful turnaround without a cohesive strategy, and as government revenues continue to dwindle.