From left, Northern Marianas College Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD; Dr. Austin Shelton, University of Guam Sea Grant director; Dr. Darren Lerner, director of the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program; and Jonathan Pennock, director of the National Sea Grant program.
REPRESENTATIVES from Sea Grant programs across America were on Saipan on Friday, Sept. 15, to meet at the Hyatt with officials of Northern Marianas College, which is applying for a Sea Grant status, NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD said.
The Sea Grant program is a network of partnerships between the federal government and 34 colleges around America, according to the program website. Its mission is to “enhance the use and conservation of coastal, marine and Great Lakes resources to create a strong and sustainable economy, a healthy environment and resilient and inclusive communities.”
With Sea Grant support, NMC could receive funding for projects related to the marine sciences.
Deleon Guerrero on Friday spoke to the media alongside Dr. Austin Shelton, University of Guam Sea Grant director; Jonathan Pennock, director of the National Sea Grant program; and Dr. Darren T. Lerner, director of the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program.
Deleon Guerrero said NMC has submitted an application for formal recognition as a Sea Grant institution.
Shelton said he supports NMC’s bid.
“We’re here to support and work with our friends at Northern Marianas College,” he said, adding that UOG already has $709,000 in funding to help NMC hire a “green growth coordinator” to create a sustainable development plan for the CNMI.
Lerner likewise was supportive of NMC’s application for Sea Grant status.
“The opportunity to expand our Sea Grant program to Northern Marianas College, and to others across the Pacific, from the point of view of the University of Hawaii, only serves to make us even better over time as we continue to grow and continue to try to meet the needs of communities,” he said.
Pennock said the Sea Grant program in Washington D.C. will review NMC’s application.
“We’re looking forward to moving forward,” he added.
For Deleon Guerrero, formal Sea Grant status would allow NMC to further help improve the community.
“The beauty of a program like Sea Grant is that it’s not sitting in the ivory tower and navel gazing,” Deleon Guerrero said. “It’s looking out into the community, thinking how can we take the best that higher education has to offer and use it to make the world a better place.”
