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DESPITE YUTU DESTRUCTION
NMC enrollment up 12%
NMC began its fall 2019 semester Monday with one of its highest enrollments in years. (Contributed Photo)
Despite the destruction the Northern Marianas College campus sustained from Super Typhoon Yutu last October, the college still saw a significant increase in its student enrollment number this year.
The college reported a 12% increase to 1,276 students in enrolment numbers this fall 2019 semester compared to the same time a year ago.
In an interview with acting NMC president Frankie Eliptico, he said the enrollment this fall semester is even higher than a year ago in fall 2018, before Super Typhoon Yutu hit.
“Our strong enrollment for this semester demonstrates that more and more students in the CNMI are looking to NMC for their professional growth and development,” Eliptico said. “Our staff and faculty have also been working very hard to prepare our campus and to ensure our programs and services continue to meet student needs and expectations…[and] our recruitment team has also done a tremendous job of reaching out to our community.”
The increased number reflects the enrollment as of the first day of classes; it may still change as students modify their schedules during the first week of classes.
Because of Super Typhoon Yutu, NMC lost 37 of its 39 classrooms, its cafeteria, bookstore, student, center, and other facilities. Most classes are being held right now in temporary tents built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which was contacted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Public Assistance Program.
In the past 10 months, the college has been working to repair classrooms, offices, and other facilities. “We will be building new facilities with the funds we will receive from FEMA… we have also applied for grants from the Economic Development Administration and other programs,” Eliptico said.
