Also re-elected were Elaine H. Orilla as vice chairperson and Michaela U. Sanchez as treasurer.
Board officers serve a two-year term.
Cepeda said they were supposed to hold an election in the second quarter of this year, but the pandemic shut down everything.
“I wanted to make sure to give the opportunity to other members. Personally, I wanted to see how the rest of the regents think of [my] being the chairperson. I am really happy and proud that they wanted me to continue as the chairperson,” he said.
During the meeting, Cepeda told the other regents that he was willing to step down as chairperson if someone was interested in the job.
Regents Orilla, Sanchez, Zenie Mafnas, Jesus Tudela, Irene Torres and Michelle Sablan all agreed that Cepeda should continue to lead the board.
“It is a strong validation of the leadership and I really thank all the regents and the college community for their support,” Cepeda said in an interview.
Cepeda first served on the NMC board from 2006 to 2010. He was elected chairperson in 2008.
In 2017, he was appointed by Gov Ralph DLG Torres to the NMC board, which elected him chairperson in 2018.
