As part of the ongoing efforts to intertwine the development of the local workforce with the preservation of the Commonwealth’s cultural heritage, the Northern Marianas College’s Community Development Institute is collaborating with 500 Sails to offer multiple opportunities for cultural maritime education.

Mercilynn Kaneshi-Palec, Associate Network Director for the CNMI Small Business Development Center at the Northern Marianas College, was recently named a 2023 “State Star” for her outstanding contributions to the local CNMI SBDC Network.

Nadine Deleon Guerrero, Mercilynn Kaneshi Palec, and Benjamin Huk Borja of CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at the Northern Marianas College, were nationally recognized for contributing to their local SBDC network through America’s SBDC 40 under 40 awards.

Northern Marianas College students Ainah Tomokane Chargualaf, Daisy Rina Mendiola, Grace Min Choi, Esther Hansol Huh, and Erin Pascual Ferrer recently attended the 2023 Indigenous Geoscience Community Workshop in Ketchikan, Alaska. 

As part of its continuing efforts to expand entrepreneurial capacity in the CNMI, the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at the Northern Marianas College has provided one-on-one consulting, training, and information resources to over 500 clients looking to initiate a business venture or enhance their existing endeavors.

SAIPAN and Northern Islands Municipal Council Vice Chairwoman Antonia Manibusan Tudela took the concept of homegrown workforce capacity building to the next level last week by introducing 17th Council No. 16SNMIC-06, requesting  Department of Public Lands Secretary Teresita Santos to designate certain parcels on Saipan for the proposed open concept farmers market under the auspices of the CNMI Farmers Organization in support of homegrown fresh food production locally.