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NMC Start Smart needs volunteers
The Northern Marianas College is looking for college graduates to volunteer as speakers for its upcoming Start Smart seminar.
Speaking at the Rotary Club of Saipan’s weekly meeting on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, NMC Enrollment director Manny Castro said the Start Smart seminar needs college graduates in the community to talk to high school students about college.
On Saipan, the first Start Smart session will be held on Nov. 30, the second session will be on Dec. 4, and the third will be on Dec. 5.
Tinian and Rota will have separate sessions in January.
The seminar was first launched in 2009 in the Commonwealth due to low enrollment rate in college. It was initiated to increase awareness among high school seniors on the benefits of pursuing higher education.
The seminar highlights a segment called “I graduated, now what?” that touches base on financial aid, the benefits of starting off in a community college before entering a university, and the transition from Saipan to a different environment.
Castro said it is important to get college graduates from the community as volunteers so that students can get firsthand advice that they can relate to from those who have successfully took on the college experience.
According to Castro, successful college graduates from the community can inspire students by sharing their personal stories of transitioning, to the struggles while studying away from home, and how they overcame.
NMC also feels that community members who have graduated can not only help high school seniors understand the struggles of pursuing a higher education, but provide them with tips on how to prepare.
Volunteer speakers will be given five to 10 minutes to give their speeches before transitioning to a different topic.
Also offered during the seminar are various engagement activities.
For additional information, individuals can contact Castro at manny.castro@marianas.edu, or call NMC at 234-5498.
