NMC receives $269K grant

The Northern Marianas College has been awarded $269,023 in grant funding by the Asian and American and Native American Pacific Island-Serving Institutions program.

NMC is currently on a five-year, $1.4-million grant program under AANAPISI. The recent award of $269,023 is for the first budget period, which begins fiscal year 2016.

The grant will allow NMC to help students in the Commonwealth prepare for and succeed in college.

The AANAPISI program provides grants and related assistance to Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions to enable these institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders and low-income individuals.

Additionally, the grant will support activities that strengthen indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian language preservation and revitalization efforts.

Among other benefits, the grant will fund a number of activities that are part of the “Project PROA” program that includes support for academic tutors, counseling programs, and student support services. It will also help the college maximize technology through the implementation of digital tools, assessments, and materials that are aligned with college and career-ready standards.

The ultimate goal of Project PROA, according to the grant proposal, is to improve and expand the capacity of the college to increase the number and proportion of high-need indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian students who are academically prepared to attend and graduate from NMC on time.

David Attao, dean of Administration and Resource Development at NMC, said it would also help NMC establish the PROA Center, which will be the focal point on campus where many of the grant’s activities will be centered.

“We are extremely thankful to the AANAPISI program and everyone who participated in preparing the grant proposal,” Attao said.

The grant broadens NMC’s capacity to work not only with college students but also with high school juniors and seniors as they begin their transition to college.

NMC president Dr. Sharon Hart said this is a significant achievement for the college.

“The grant substantially boosts the depth and variety of academic services the college provides to students and will go a long way in helping them through their educational journey,” Hart said. “I want to commend Attao and his team for spearheading the application for this competitive grant program.”