Last year, NMC had nearly 1,000 students.
Records from NMC showed that this year, its nursing program has the highest enrollment figure with 116 students.
Its liberal arts program has 255 students while the elementary education program has 124.
According to NMC’s enrollment breakdown, the accounting program has 31 students; business management, 38; business, 44; criminal justice, 37; computer applications, 21; hospitality management, 18; audio/visual program, 2; early childhood, 2; hemodialysis, 1; and natural restaurant management, 2.
Included in the 785 enrollment figure are the non-degree enrollees, 53; teacher candidacy, 30; related services, 4; and “undecided,” 6.
NMC said these figures are preliminary and do not include enrollment for other academic classes and programs that begin later in the Fall 2008 semester.
The college said its enrollment is anticipated to increase with the launching of other classes including those that are part of NMC’s Community Development Institute.
Challenges
NMC acknowledges the “challenges” to its recruitment efforts for Fall 2008, and these include the relocation of families away from the CNMI due to economic hardships; NMC’s show-cause accreditation status; economic hardships that are compelling some students to enter the job force immediately after high school; aggressive recruitment efforts by the military which offers immediate financial bonuses for enlistment; and transportation or child care limitations.
According to NMC, it is “continuing to market its programs aggressively to ensure that students are aware of the benefits of attending NMC. This includes the transferability of credits to other accredited institutions, the relatively low cost of tuition in comparison with other colleges, the savings realized from not having to move off-island, and much more.”
“We are continuing to reach out to all segments of the community to highlight the opportunities, benefits and rewards that an accredited degree from Northern Marianas College can provide,” NMC President Carmen Fernandez told Variety.
She said the college remains committed to becoming the premier regional institution in student advancement, curriculum quality and technological leadership.
“We are confident that there will be a positive, direct impact on enrollment as we continue to work toward these goals,” she added.
