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NMC projects 14-percent enrollment spike this fall
The islands’ only community college expects to see a spike in its enrollment numbers this coming fall 2014 semester.
Northern Marianas College president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart told Saipan Tribune the institution projects a minimum 14-percent enrollment increase this fall. The college had 1,171 full-time students last fall 2013 semester.
Hart cited four reasons for the rosy projection. First, the recent reaffirmation of the college accreditation with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges has regained people’s trust in NMC and the quality of its programs, Hart said.
The college’s recent partnership with the Rio Salado College is also a factor in the forecast growth. The partnership allows NMC to offer 19 new certificate degree programs for its students.
A new four-year academic degree will also be offered this fall 2014 semester after the Board of Regents approved the implementation of the bachelor’s degree in business. Since this was announced, the college has been receiving a lot of inquiries from potential students, Hart said.
The new business degree program is the second four-year course offering at NMC; the other is the bachelor’s degree in education.
Another factor for the projected hike in enrollees is the offering of credit for prior learning, which recognizes the life experiences of students, which could help them obtain associate and bachelor degrees.
NMC has been seeing a decline in its enrollment in the last few years, primarily because of the threat to its accreditation status. It was only in February this year when NMC was able to reaffirm its full accreditation as a result of the significant progress it has made in its programs, leadership, management, and others. Accreditation allows a student to transfer credits earned at NMC to other accredited colleges and universities.
At present, the college is awaiting the decision of the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges regarding its application to shift its accreditation to the Senior Commission. A decision is expected in July this year.
