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Inos seeks CNMI membership in America Alliance of States
The CNMI is seeking membership in the Complete College America Alliance of States, a national nonprofit organization that works with states to significantly increase the number of Americans with quality career certificates or college degrees.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos made this known to the national group in a letter to its president, Stan Jones.
“The CNMI is formally requesting to join the Complete College America Alliance of States. As a U.S. territory, we will assemble a team of committed leaders to advance the game-changer college completion policy agenda here in the CNMI,” said Inos in the letter that was also signed by Northern Marianas College Board of Regents chair Frank Rabauliman.
According to Inos, the CNMI will form within six months a team that will be tasked to produce state baseline completion data using common metrics, set state and college completion goals, and develop state and college completion plans.
“Additionally, the CNMI will report, on an annual basis, our progress toward these goals,” added Inos.
The governor appointed NMC president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart as liaison to the Alliance. “We appreciate that with our membership, we will be able to receive technical assistance via phone/Skype,” according to Inos.
If accepted, the CNMI will be the first U.S. territory to join the alliance.
Members of the Alliance of States have pledged to take actions to significantly increase the number of students successfully completing college and achieving degrees and credentials with value in the labor market. Members also close attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations.
NMC earlier disclosed that too few of its students graduate on time, with only 8 percent of associate degree students graduating within two years and zero percent of students completing a four-year degree on time.
NMC has only one four-year degree, the School of Education. Most of its courses are for associate degrees, or two-year programs. Come fall semester, a new four-year program will be offered: degree in business.
At the national level, 12 percent of two-year degree students graduate on time; 22 percent complete two-year degrees in three years; and 28 percent complete their degree in four years
