1. Standard IA: Mission The institution has a statement of mission that defines the institution's broad educational purposes, its intended student population, and its commitment to achieving student learning.

2. PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT Northern Marianas College is dedicated to providing the best quality and meaningful educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the individual and for people of the Commonwealth. The College is committed to fostering student learning and success through its programs and services, and seeks to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community. Proposed Draft 1: 8/22/13 BOR Reviewed: 8/27/13

3. SECOND PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT Northern Marianas College, through its commitment to student learning, provides high quality, affordable and accessible educational programs and services for the individual and people of the Commonwealth. -- endorsed by Standard IA members 9/9/13 -- Reviewed by College Council 9/12/13

4. Response from Dr. Susan Clifford “I reviewed the two NMC Mission statements and find that the ‘new’ one is not substantially different from the previous statement. It has the same purpose, target population, and commitment to student success, which meets Accreditation Standard I.A.” ************************************** Susan B. Clifford, Ed.D. Vice President of Commission Operations Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

5. September 2013 Feedback to Proposed Statements First Proposed Mission Statement: Northern Marianas College is dedicated to providing the best quality and meaningful educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the individual and for people of the Commonwealth our diverse community. The College is committed to fostering student learning and success through its programs and services, and seeks to enhances the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community the Commonwealth.

6. September 2013 Feedback to Proposed Statements Second Proposed Mission Statement: “Northern Marianas College, through its commitment to student learning, provides high quality, REVELANT, affordable and accessible TRAINING AND educational programs and services for the individual and people FOR THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE [individual and] PEOPLES of the Commonwealth.” Following my initial response and then reviewing ER 2- Mission, I note that the comments are specific in terms of higher education and the citizens of Tinian and Rota. Perhaps the words “higher education” should be included. Wording reflects the citizens of all three territories (Saipan, Tinian and Rota). Option 2 works. Its short and to the point. I like the second proposed draft (endorsed by Standard IA) but without "and accessible." In the context of accreditation, I don't see the benefit of opening a door to questions about services in remote corners of the Commonwealth, which is what the word "accessible" can definitely do (no matter how well-intentioned its inclusion might be). Northern Marianas College, through its commitment to student learning, provides high quality, REVELANT, affordable and accessible EDUCATION AND TRAINING programs and services FOR THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PEOPLES of the Commonwealth AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. My thoughts are that Option 2 is perfect. If for any reason public(NMC) opinion should sway towards option 1, then changes should be made to the section that places the word "commonwealth" after "quality of life". This was the original problem that WASC had with our original mission statement, That is-it suggests a better quality of life for the commonwealth, but not necessarily educational programs for the commonwealth. I think this is clearly laid out in the recommendation to by WASC, which states-"mission statement...is not providing higher education opportunities to the portion of the citizenry residing on the islands of Tinian and Rota." In essence, the words "to the commonwealth" should be placed after "educational opportunities" as is done in the second draft option. Otherwise, its like saying that we might limit educational programs to the island of Saipan, which would somehow improve the quality of life on Tinian and Rota. “Northern Marianas College, through its commitment to student learning, provides affordable and accessible academic and vocational programs and services for the individual and people of the Commonwealth.” To be reviewed by the Strategic Planning Task Force and Mission Statement Revision Team

7. DRAFT Vision Statement Northern Marianas College will serve as the engine to drive the economic growth and vitality of the Commonwealth.