In its meeting held on Friday, the members of the committee reviewed and voted to finalize the questions that will be posed to the applicants advanced by the Association of Community College Trustees or ACCT.
The committee also announced that of the 31 applications received, the ACCT will be transmitting the seven top candidates — who best meet ACCT’s standards, criteria, and qualifications — to the PSC for the interview phase.
The ACCT, a nonprofit educational association, was earlier tapped by the NMC board of regents to assist with the initial stages of the presidential search process. The organization has been credited for assisting numerous other colleges and universities with their search for a CEO/president.
The total number of presidential applicants, 31, slightly varies from what was earlier announced. Based on information that the ACCT provided to PSC Chairman Andrew Orsini, the committee had last week indicated that there were a total of 28 applications received by the Jan/ 15, 2011, deadline.
However, that number was corrected to 31 by ACCT in a subsequent meeting with the Orisi later in the week.
“As I’ve mentioned before, we are glad to see that many individuals throughout the country have demonstrated their interest in this important position,” said Orsini. “Now it is time to move forward to the next stage of the selection process so the appointment of the next president of the college can be made without unnecessary delay.”
“The PSC anticipates that the interview of the seven candidates advanced by the ACCT will occur by late next week, depending upon the availability of the candidates given the time differences, and may continue until the following week until completed,” Orsini added. “We will be using Skype or other videoconferencing tools to conduct interviews for off-island applicants.”
In addition to Orsini, the other members of the Presidential Search Committee include: David Sablan, president, Century Insurance Company; John Oliver Gonzales, executive director, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and NMC Alumnus; Jesus Elameto, retiree and former PSS administrator; Juanita Mendiola, former Tinian Municipal Council chairwoman; Barbara Merfalen, Dean, NMC Academic Programs and Services; and Antonio Tiples, President, Associated Students of Northern Marianas College.
The committee meets weekly and posts updates to the president search page on the NMC website. Updates regarding the search can be viewed by visiting www.nmcnet.edu.
