The island of Tinian was well represented at Northern Marianas College's 45th Commencement Exercise, where the college conferred degrees to over 220 graduates from the Class of 2026. Among them were several students who began their studies at NMC's Tinian Center before completing their respective degree programs on Saipan, alongside two milestones that marked a historic day for the island.
“Students on Tinian can achieve their college dreams by starting right here at NMC Tinian. The NMC Class of 2026 is a shining example of perseverance, determination, and commitment to themselves, their families, and their community. We are incredibly proud of their success and look forward to seeing our graduates return home to fill important positions in our schools, serve our community, and strengthen the local workforce,” said NMC Tinian Center Executive Director Maria Aguon.
This achievement comes as Tinian and the broader Commonwealth continue recovering from two super typhoons, particularly Sinlaku, which struck Tinian directly in April while many of these graduates were away from home.
Ismail Hossain, who earned an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with an Education emphasis, became the first NMC student from Tinian to receive a Distinguished Award, having earned the Distinguished Award in Leadership at the associate degree level.
"When Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck, he answered without hesitation, flying home to volunteer and finding himself doing something more: telling a story. What began as a call to serve became a platform to be heard. From working alongside World Central Kitchen on the ground in Tinian, to landing on the front page of the Pacific Daily News, to contributing to Marianas Press, this student used his passion for media to make sure the islands' stories, of loss, resilience, and recovery, reached a regional and global audience," said 45th Commencement Exercise Mistress of Ceremony and Center for Training and Innovation Director Monique Boyer Sablan.
Since graduating with his Associate's Degree, Hossain is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Education with an Elementary Education Concentration at NMC.
The ceremony also marked the first bachelor's degrees earned by Tinian students in more than a decade, with the last conferred in 2015. Nikki Cepeda, Lorna Cruz, and Rufina Palacios each received a Bachelor of Science in Education with an Elementary Education Concentration. Unlike most bachelor's degree seekers who relocate or are already living in Saipan to complete coursework, Cepeda, Cruz, and Palacios finished their entire program without leaving Tinian, all made possible through collaboration between the School of Education and the NMC Tinian Center.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the faculty and staff of the School of Education who worked closely with our Tinian students and provided the necessary support they needed to complete the courses required for their bachelor's degrees while remaining connected to their home community. We are especially proud that Tinian High School will welcome two highly qualified teachers this new school year, a powerful example of how NMC helps prepare students to serve our island communities and strengthen our local workforce,” Aguon said.
For more information or any inquiries about the NMC Tinian Center, please contact NMC Tinian Executive Director Maria Aguon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (670) 433-0657.
Ismail Hossain
Nikki Cepeda
Lorna Cruz
Rufina Palacios