NORTHERN Marianas College has listed 234 potential graduates this year, the largest number “in a long, long time,” according to NMC Admissions and Records Director Janice A. Tenorio.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome. Although, the number may decline since their final grades are not all in yet, we’re still happy because we’re able to equip as many students as possible. This is one of the largest if not the largest,” she said.
Thirty-one of them are “homegrown” teachers who have finished their bachelor of science in elementary education at NMC’s School of Education.
“This is a new four-year program but our students here have met all the requirements necessary for the program,” Tenorio said.
NMC’s graduation is set on May 25, 5 p.m., at American Memorial Park’s amphitheater.
Statistics showed that of the 234, 150 have associate degrees and 49 have adult and general education development diplomas.
Four other candidates took up master of arts in counseling at the University of Guam.
Of those 150 who would have associate degrees, 81 took up liberal arts, 21 applied science in business administration with emphasis in business management, 16 accounting, 10 computer applications, nine applied science in criminal justice, seven in nursing, three in hospitality management, two in liberal arts in elementary education and one in data processing.
Tenorio encouraged the candidates to get higher education either by pursuing further studies in the U.S. or through online universities.
She urged them to take up more computer classes to better equip and prepare themselves.
She said that the high number of students in liberal arts was an indication that more students are ready to pursue higher studies.
“They can specialize in a certain field when they’re in universities,” she said.
Last year, NMC recorded 93 graduates with associate degrees and completion certificates, 14 with bachelor of arts degrees, and 15 with master of arts degrees from UOG.
