By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE board of regents of Northern Marianas College is expected to announce on Tuesday NMC’s new top executive officer after it trimmed down the pool of applicants to hree, according to board special assistant Mark Mendiola.
Mendiola said the appointment of a new president will be discussed next week’s special meeting which will address and finalize “all selection issues.”
“We will call for a board meeting next week and the board will address all these issues about the president’s selection,” Mendiola told Variety.
“There’s a process that we have to go through. The presidential search committee, I believe, has already made its recommendations to the board and the regents are finishing the selection process to come up with the best candidate,” he said.
Mendiola said once the regents name the qualified candidate for NMC presidency, “negotiations will take place with the person — and he or she will either accept our offer or not.”
Mendiola said three highly qualified applicants remain from the original pool of 11 candidates.
He did not disclose the identities of the three remaining applicants.
“The board is happy with the search committee,” he said, adding that it was the first time that the committee involved the community in the search for qualified applicants.
Danny Wyatt has been the acting NMC president since Sept. 2006 following the retirement of Tony V. Deleon Guerrero.
Wyatt has temporarily vacated his post as dean of academic programs and services of the college.
He did not apply for the presidency, and said that he will return to his old post.
The board is seeking a “highly motivated, energetic, and visionary leader” to be NMC’s new chief executive officer.
Candidates must have at least five years of executive level management experience in an institution of higher education or other relevant organization.
They must have at least five years of executive level management experience, including postsecondary education teaching experience; at least a master’s degree from a U.S.-accredited university, with sufficient experience in working with boards, elected leaders, and community groups; and knowledge regarding federal programs and grants.