Reconnecting with NMC leadership

Northern Marianas College was well represented in Washington this week as Board of Regents Chair Charles Cepeda and President Galvin Deleon Guerrero led their team at the Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit. During their visit to the Congressional Office, we discussed NMC’s many successes and challenges, including the long-awaited rebuild of the As Terlaje campus. Federal funding is essential to colleges and universities nationwide—including NMC. We have been working hard to protect critical funding from federal spending pauses, ensuring that students and families are not affected. One such program, the USDA’s NextGen grants, which funds scholarships for students in food and agriculture, faced delays. In response, I immediately contacted the White House and USDA, and just an hour after my meeting with NMC, they reported that they were able to successfully draw down $800,000 in NextGen funds. Thank you, NMC leadership, for your partnership in protecting these essential resources and ensuring our students have the support they need to succeed. With strong leadership and partnerships, NMC continues to thrive. I look forward to seeing Chairman Cepeda and President Deleon Guerrero continue the great work they are doing for our college—because NMC’s success is the CNMI’s success.