Northern Marianas College (NMC) Board of Regents Chairman Charles Cepeda has recently been appointed to the Member Communications and Education Committee of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
The ACCT is a non-profit organization whose membership includes 6,500 trustees who serve on governing boards of community, technical, and junior colleges across the United States and beyond. They serve to promote high-quality and affordable higher education, workforce development training, student success, and opportunities for all individuals toward financial independence and security.
The Member Communications and Education Committee of the ACCT is responsible for evaluating and making recommendations to strengthen the Board’s links with the membership; identifying issues that require member input; and recommending strategies to gather input.
Additionally, the Committee evaluates and makes recommendations to strengthen current ACCT education programs, and recommends additional programs that promote effective board governance through advocacy and education.
“The appointment to the ACCT Member Communications and Education Committee is both an honor and a responsibility that I take to heart,” Cepeda said. “This role allows me to work alongside dedicated professionals to strengthen connections within our membership, promote effective governance, and ensure that our educational programs continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities. I look forward to bringing a Pacific Islander voice to the national table, contributing to initiatives that empower community colleges so we can serve our students more effectively.”
“We have already begun strengthening the college partnerships within the region through the establishment of the Pacific Islands College Boards, which brings together college trustees from Guam, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the College of Micronesia-FSM, and American Samoa to collaborate and advocate for our region,” Cepeda added. “This appointment will help us collectively advance our advocacy role.”
NMC president Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, said that Cepeda’s appointment to the committee is a testament to Cepeda’s dedication and leadership in advancing higher education in the CNMI.
“Chairman Cepeda’s involvement will not only strengthen our voice at the national level but also ensure that Northern Marianas College and other institutions from the Pacific continue to benefit from innovative governance strategies and educational programs,” Deleon Guerrero said. “Our Proa Tribe is proud of his commitment to serving our students and leading with courage."