College of the Marshall Islands - College of the Marshall Islands

Fall 2011 College of the Marshall Islands Updates

There is quite of bit going on and many programs and projects under development and consideration, such as:

• Improving Teaching and Health academies for the high schools, so the RMI can have more students prepared for college.
• Transfer, Career, and Alumni Center to help students with work or transfering to four-year B.A. and B.S. programs.
• Dual enrollment for high school students who are ready for college level courses approved by CMI's Board of Regents.
• Intense First Year Residential Experience (FYRE) program for students who require additional support with Math and English at the Arrak campus (near Laura), this is the first semester, there will be much student performance information to review soon.
• Just received approval from the ACCJC of the WASC for the carpentry program, this is important for Pell grants--we anticipate an initial enrollment of 30 students.
• Once ACCJC of the WASC approval is received, starting a maritime training program in 2012--a 10-12 week boot camp program at the Arrak campus.
• Working with the Ministry of Public Works and the National Training Council on developing automotive, electrical, and plumbing programs.
• Distance education, $300,000 from USDA Rural Development and USDA Land Grant for Uliga, Arrak, Ebeye and looking at the high schools on Jaluit and Wotje atolls. Looking at making Ebeye a priority, getting facilites ready as soon as possible.
• Expanding GED to Ebeye and Laura, the Board of Regents authorized a reduction in the GED fee from $75 to $30, which will assist students and families where income is a challenge--this is a much needed program in the RMI.
• We are working on increasing support for exisiting scholarships as well as establishing more scholarships and increasing support for CMI's Endowment Fund.
• We are working on the ACCJC of the WASC Mid-Term report and a new 2012-17 CMI Strategic Plan, which will be completed in the next few months.
• A new CMI College Center will open in 2012, with a new library, IT, Student and Academic Affaris offices and four new classrooms.
• New developments with IT and improvements in the computer labs at both campus sites, Uliga and Arrak.
• New research and extension projects with CMI Land Grant, aquaculture, agriculture, water quality, 4-H and nutrition. Translation and production of critical information in kajin majol has been developed and distributed door to door and to the outer islands! Many exiting community development and education projects are being delivered by Land Grant.
• The second run of the Black Pearl Project is on the home stretch, can we make this sustainable for people on the outer islands and the RMI ecomony? We are working on it! Land Grant is CMI's arm into the all the communities of the RMI. Great Land Grant!

And I know I have missed other intiatives and projects...

So, as you can see, much is on the stove at CMI. We have many good people, faculty, staff and students working hard on these programs and projects. Student Government also has been working hard organizing debates for the upcoming RMI national elections. There is plenty of work for us to do, but we have a high degree of motivation and dedication to assure these items are implemented and improve the opportunities for people in the RMI to obtain the education and the training they seek and need. CMI, our students, faculty and staff will need your help and support! Ilo koutij im kommol tata!