(Press Release) — On Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, the office of Rep. Sheila J. Babauta organized an information session about higher education opportunities available in the CNMI. The event was held at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School in San Roque.
Northern Marianas College and the Northern Marianas Technical Institute provided presentations on the application process, available programs, financial aid opportunities, and payment plan options.
“With no seats left in the cafeteria we were happy to see a wide range of participants that included high school students, recent high school graduates, adults, and families. The event was a huge success!” says organizer, Trini Iguel, the office intern who is a recent NMC graduate and current student of the University of Alaska, studying social work and criminal justice.
“We see that requirements are constantly changing in the workplace. In the past, having a high school diploma was sufficient but now, employers are prioritizing those who have a bachelor’s degree or a certification in their trade. Hosting this event in the community was our way of giving back and informing constituents about the very affordable higher education outlets that we have on the island,” Iguel says.
“The purpose of the event was to provide access to information and encourage community members to take the next steps to achieving their goals in higher education. We understand transportation is an issue for many and we try to bridge the gaps by hosting events in the village,” says Rep. Sheila Babauta.
NMC provided presentations from their UCEDD program, the Office of Admissions, and the Financial Aid office, while NMTI provided a presentation about their overall programs and services. After the event, NMC and NMTI handed out applications and answered any questions that the attendees had.
NMC agreed to waive application and placement fees for attendees; and NMTI offered to waive late registration fees.
During the event, Iguel surveyed attendees on the types of free classes or programs they would like offered in the villages. “This is the first step to assisting our community members build on their skills and grow as individuals,” says Babauta. Her office plans to offer a series of free classes to help community members build skills such as resume building, basic computer skills, writing skills, and other classes requested by the community.
The office of Rep. Sheila J. Babauta would like to thank the teams from NMC and NMTI for their partnership in hosting a successful event in the village of San Roque. Special shoutout to Jerry Pangelinan of NMTI and Maria Aguon of NMC for their patience and coordination efforts.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Rep. Sheila Babauta’s office via email at rep.sbabauta@gmail.com or phone at 287-8151.
Northern Marianas College representatives conduct a presentation at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School on Aug. 12, 2021.
Northern Marianas Technical Institute representatives provided a presentation about NMTI’s overall programs and services at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School on Aug. 12, 2021.
