“I really believe that the real goal of any community college is to be serving the needs of a local community and what I do is to focus on that need,” she said during a press conference on Friday.
Hart said she wants NMC to ensure that its graduates are equipped to be employed in certain industries.
Wages offered by the local private sector, however, are way less than what the CNMI government — the main employer of local residents — pays.
Accreditation
Noting her strong accreditation background, Hart said she can achieve her goal to get NMC out of its current probation status.
The Accrediting Commission for Junior Community Colleges lifted NMC’s show-cause status recently.
In her first three months at NMC, Hart said she will prepare the probation report in time for the scheduled visit of an ACJCC team between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 this year.
Hart reported for work at NMC on Friday immediately after her arrival from San Francisco with NMC Board of Regents Chairman Juan T. Lizama.
“I’m very proud to see a large number of [the NMC] community during the open session,” she said after meeting with students and college staff whom she praised for “showing their enthusiasm and support.”
Political interference
Lizama, in an interview, said the board is now in a “very comfortable position’
“She is very committed and has a very good background. That’s what we need to bring back the college’s full accreditation,” he said, referring to Hart.
Lizama said the board discussed with Hart NMC’s opposition to House Bill 17-93 which aims to provide for an improved financial oversight of the college.
He said the new president supported the position of the board which believes that the bill will result in political interference.
Lizama said he signed the board resolution against the bill on Friday and transmitted it to the governor’s office.
“I hope the governor will not sign [the bill],” he said, reiterating that they want to see college operation and management to remain autonomous.
Austerity
Under her administration, Hart said she will “honor” what the previous leadership has put in place, particularly the austerity Friday measure.
But she said she will also find ways to secure additional funding through new financial opportunities.
According to Hart, NMC’s situation is not unique since there are also community colleges in the United States that were tremendously hit by financial crisis.
“What is important is that you plan for in advance and start looking at how you’re going to secure additional resources,” she said.
Hart said her office is always “open to the press.”
Her office, he added, is “always available no matter what happens,” and will continue to provide the community with “accurate and appropriate” information.
