According to committee chairman Andrew Orsini, the members have been focusing on and are preparing for the interview of candidates, whose applications are currently being vetted by the Association of Community College Trustees.
The ACCT is a national nonprofit educational association that has assisted numerous other colleges and universities with their search for a CEO/president. The organization was tapped by the NMC board of regents to assist with the initial stages of the presidential search process.
“While the ACCT is currently reviewing the applications that were submitted earlier this month, we’ve been diligently preparing for the next stage of the search, which is the interview phase,” Orsini said.
He added that the committee members are formulating specific interview questions and creating a rating system by which the responses of the candidates will be evaluated. He also indicated that he will be meeting with representatives of ACCT via teleconference in the next few days to discuss the formal transmittal of the presidential candidates from ACCT to the Presidential Search Committee.
“Because additional time is needed to meticulously screen the applicants, we also want to let the community know that we will need to adjust the timeline for identifying the final candidates,” Orsini said. “We want to ensure that the search is being conducted in the most expeditious manner, but without compromising the integrity of the search process. We will be announcing a more detailed timeline within the next few days.”
“Nonetheless, I want to reassure everyone that we’re working hard to carry out this important task of helping to expediently select the next NMC president,” said Orsini. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding and we will continue to provide updates on our progress.”
In addition to Orsini, the other members of the 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.
