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NMC sees increased enrollment, graduates
The Northern Marianas College has seen its enrollment and graduation numbers significantly increase in the last 10 years, according to NMC interim president Frankie Eliptico in his presentation last Tuesday at the Rotary Club of Saipan meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
Since the 2008-2009 academic year up to the 2017-2018 academic year, NMC saw a 55% increase in its enrollment numbers and “we are happy that our enrollment continues to be strong,” Eliptico said.
Eliptico said that the 2018-2019 enrollment numbers have yet to be released, but he expects it to show the college’s sustained growth.
He said the graduating class of 2019 was one of the largest groups to graduate from NMC, falling short of the record-high Class of 2018.
Usually, NMC holds its graduation ceremony in the middle of May; however, due to the impacts of Super Typhoon Yutu on NMC, they had to move the ceremony to the last week of June as the 2019 spring semester started late. They also had to extend the length of classes in the spring 2019 semester, from 75-minute sessions to 120-minute sessions.
With the increase in enrollment numbers also came an increase in the number of graduates, Eliptico said. And with the college adding more certification programs, they have seen more and more students succeed with NMC.
The number of graduates with degrees in school year 2017-2018 saw 246 graduate with college degrees and 61 with certificates, while school year 2016-2017 saw 184 graduates with college degrees and 48 with certificates.
The lowest number of graduates was in school year 2009-2010, with 84 graduates with degrees, and that number would gradually increase over the years.
Eliptico thanked all the students who have enrolled and graduated at NMC and said that, despite the destruction of the NMC campus caused by Super Typhoon Yutu, the college will strive to increase the number of graduates, programs, and enrollees in the coming years.
The college currently offers associate and bachelor degree programs, certification programs, Priority Learning Assessments, and Adult Basic Education.
