NMC lures potential students in recruitment fair

The Northern Marianas College’s honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, recently hosted a recruitment fair for high school student scholars and officers at the NMC campus.

The focus of this recruitment fair was to showcase the academic programs and services offered at NMC and to acquaint high school students with the scholarship and other benefits available to them through NMC’s Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society.

One participant responded, “I enjoyed myself because I got to meet new people and got a chance to see NMC. They have a lot more things than I thought.”

PTK members toured the high school students all over the campus and answered several questions.

“It was a very good turnout of students! We had students from Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Northern Marianas Academy, and Kagman High School,” said Tatiana Babauta, NMC’s Phi Theta Kappa president and co-chair for recruitment fair.

During this half-day event, high school students were given a look at the opportunities NMC has to offer. Among the lineup were presentations by student in different majors, like Criminal Justice and Media Film Arts and by department chairs and program managers, like Natural Resources Management, Education, Nursing, Languages and Humanities, Math and Science. Several people explained various student services and co-curricular clubs and activities, like ASNMC and PTK.

Career preparation and opportunities are available for 2-year graduates and assistance is available for those who wish to transfer and continue their studies elsewhere.

A representative from the CNMI Scholarship Office explained the financial aid opportunities available to students who enroll at the college. These range from Pell Grants and CNMI scholarships, to Mayor’s Office scholarships and a hundred other scholarships especially designed only for PTK members when they transfer to a four-year college from NMC.

Students from the participating high schools got to enjoy some special treats; The PTK Fair committee members presented each participant with a PTK Founders Day Kiss Flower (Hershey’s), a folder containing important information about NMC including an NMC catalogue, financial aid scholarships and grants booklet, and a $25 waiver fee for NMC’s admission. In addition, students received printed information regarding what specific knowledge and skills they need to know to make a good showing on the math and language placement tests given to all NMC freshmen.

“Hopefully, students will use this information to study and to share with their high school teachers to help them be well prepared to take the entrance placement tests when they start college,” the group said.

On top of that, the NMC bookstore offered raffle prizes of NMC logo shirts and other merchandise as thank you gifts to participants. The raffle grand prizes were complimentary lunch buffet and Water Park passes courtesy of Pacific Islands Club.

“PTK appreciates these contributions because they enlivened the proceedings,” the group said.

Most students responding to a survey said that their perspectives of NMC have changed after attending the fair. They said they now know more about the different degree programs, benefits and things to do at NMC.

“Altogether, we are very thankful that we had the opportunity to share with these high school students a piece of college life at Northern Marianas College,” said Randy Mendoza, who also co-chaired the event. “We hope to make this an annual event and encourage high school students out there to consider NMC, whether it be for personal enrichment or a desired degree.”