By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE CNMI government is reviewing its continued membership in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
This was the main point of discussion between Gov. David M. Apatang and officials from the CNMI Scholarship Office, Northern Marianas College, and the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program last week.
In his conference room on Capital Hill, the governor met with CSO Board of Directors Chair Donna Flores, CSO Administrator Mildred Camacho, CSO Administrative Services Manager Carmen P. Sablan, NMC Vice President for Administration and Advancement and WICHE Commissioner Frankie Eliptico, NMC Social Science and Fine Arts Chair Kaelani Demapan, and SHEFA Administrator Merissa Rasa to discuss the CNMI’s continued membership in WICHE.
Through its membership in WICHE, CNMI students save about $1.5 million a year through discounted tuition rates and other student access programs.
Flores said the membership of the CNMI and other U.S. territories, as well as Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands, has been funded through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the past few years. Membership also provides CNMI and other jurisdictions with access to technical assistance and other resources to strengthen higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
