NMC registration’s first day yields nearly 400 enrollees

Nearly 400 students trooped to the Northern Marianas College on Monday, the first day of the weeklong enrollment, to register for the new spring 2014 semester.

According to Manny Castro, director of admissions and records, a total of 384 full-time students enrolled on Monday, Jan. 13. The number is expected to rise by the end of the registration period on Friday. Final enrollment numbers will be made available after registration for classes has passed.

Full-time equivalency is calculated by taking the total number credits students have registered for and dividing that figure by 12, the minimum number of credits needed to be a full-time student.

Castro said the 384 enrollees include those who registered during the early registration last week. He explained that early registration is opened to students who expect to graduate in May and those who volunteer during enrollment week.

“The first day of registration went very well. Many of our staff are being assisted by volunteers to ensure that students receive the assistance that they need. We are also allowing students to send their registration forms by email so that they don’t need to be on campus to register,” said Castro.

One of the enrollees, Kono Remeliik, described the first-day of enrollment as very smooth.

“Registration has been very smooth so far; the registration process has greatly improved from previous semesters. It’s really organized,” said Remeliik, a sophomore.

He shared his plans after graduation. “My education here at NMC is helping me prepare for a career where I can help people. After graduating, I plan to pursue my bachelor’s degree and eventually come back to contribute to the economic development of the CNMI,” he said.

A new student at NMC, Kayla Dela Cruz, shared her enrollment experience.

“This is my first time registering for classes and staff have been very helpful during the process,” said Dela Cruz. She said she is excited and looking forward to the first day of instruction next week.

NMC president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart emphasized the importance of looking not only to the academic enrollees at the college but to the non-credit programs the institution offer.

“While it is important that we look at the number of students served under our credit programs, it is equally important that we look at the numbers served in our non-credit programs like the Community Development Institute and the Adult Basic Education Program,” said Hart, adding that the college has served thousands of individuals in these programs.

“There is no mistaking that the college continues to play a central role in educating and training thousands of individuals each year, and this has been accomplished through our academic programs and other community programs that focus on training and development,” she said.

NMC offers several degree programs, including a bachelor of science degree in education (concentrations in elementary education, early childhood education, special education, or rehabilitation and human services), associate degrees in business, business administration (emphasis in accounting, business management, or computer applications), liberal arts, nursing, natural resources management, criminal justice, and hospitality management. It also offers short-term certificate programs in different vocational, academic, and professional areas.