As part of the ongoing effort to develop the CNMI workforce and preserve the Commonwealth’s cultural heritage, Northern Marianas College’s Community Development Institute has recently signed an agreement with 500 Sails. The partnership will offer cultural maritime education programs, including basic seamanship training, traditional canoe fabrication and repair, and traditional sailing and voyaging. Pictured here are NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, and 500 Sails Acting Executive Director Peter Perez, alongside NMC staff and 500 Sails representatives. (Story on page 5)
(NMC) — As part of the ongoing efforts to intertwine the development of the local workforce with the preservation of the Commonwealth’s cultural heritage, Northern Marianas College’s Community Development Institute is collaborating with 500 Sails to offer multiple opportunities for cultural maritime education.
Under the agreement, NMC and 500 Sails will offer maritime education programs such as, basic seamanship training, traditional canoe fabrication and repair, and traditional sailing and voyaging.
“This partnership with 500 Sails reflects our new mission of stewardship through scholarship and our collective commitment to preserving our unique cultural heritage while providing opportunities for our community members to excel in the maritime sector,” NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, said. “With the Proa being our mascot, it is only fitting that this collaboration is official with 500 Sails, our stewards of our maritime traditions and navigational heritage.”
The cultural maritime training program aims to re-establish a strong maritime community in the CNMI by providing professional training tracks that lead to careers on and in the water — professions that are a natural fit for islanders.
“At 500 Sails, we are dedicated to safeguarding and celebrating the seafaring traditions of the Marianas,” 500 Sails Acting Executive Director Peter Perez said. “Through this partnership with NMC, we are confident in our ability to inspire and educate the next generation of maritime enthusiasts.”
Individuals who are interested in enrolling in the program are asked to contact the NMC Community Development Institute at cdi@marianas.edu or (670) 237-6802.
Northern Marianas College’s Community Development Institute has recently signed an agreement with 500 Sails. The partnership will offer cultural maritime education programs, including basic seamanship training, traditional canoe fabrication and repair, and traditional sailing and voyaging. Pictured here are NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, 500 Sails Acting Executive Director Peter Perez, NMC Community Development Institute Director Monique Sablan, NMC Community Development Institute Program Manager Geraldine Sasamoto, NMC Interim Dean of Academic Programs and Services Lorraine Maui, NMC Dean of Student Support Services Charlotte Cepeda, NMC Chief Financial Officer Dave Attao, CNMI Small Business Development Center Network Director Nadine Deleon Guerrero, NMC Executive Director of the Office of the President Kevin Bautista, 500 Sails Managing Director Kuen-Hee Han, 500 Sails Program Coordinator Andrea Carr, and 500 Sails Director of Sailing and Seamanship Jun Coleman.
