Senate committee forwards renomination of Dr. Jesse M. Tadella to Northern Marianas College board

The Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations on May 28 held a public hearing and voted to forward its recommendation on the renomination of Dr. Jesse M. Tadella to serve another term on the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents.

Dr. Tadella, sworn in for the record during the hearing, told senators he is committed to “accessible high‑quality education and workforce development” and said his priorities include finishing ongoing infrastructure projects and supporting accreditation, fiscal responsibility and student success. Jean Po B. Raises, a special assistant to the governor, introduced the nomination and highlighted the nominee’s doctorate and service at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, president of Northern Marianas College, and Kevin Baltista, the college chief of staff, offered oral support and urged prompt action to avoid a lapse in the seat as the nominee’s term was reported to expire May 31.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the renomination as a continuity decision for the college’s strategic and facilities work, while also using the hearing to press college leadership on enrollment, revenue sources and workforce challenges that can affect both the institution and the commonwealth’s healthcare system.

During questioning senators asked Dr. Tadella and college officials to explain an enrollment decline between fiscal years and to identify the components of a roughly $2.5–$2.8 million “other revenues” line in the FY25 report. Dr. Tadella said multiple factors were at play — economic downturn, relocation after typhoons and military enlistment — and pointed to outreach and the college’s “Start Smart” initiatives as mitigation strategies. President Guerrero said the college is pursuing international recruitment and potential dormitory options (including donated property) but noted policy, funding and property constraints remain.

Healthcare workforce concerns featured prominently. Committee members pressed for plans to address a potential loss of foreign staff if a federal program is not renewed. College and Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation representatives told senators NMC graduates about 20 nursing students per year on average, with roughly 80–90% passing the licensing exam referred to in the record as “ENLEX,” and that the college and CHCC are working on joint solutions — workforce PEL federal funding for short programs, cross‑training, nursing assistant pipelines and infrastructure to expand allied‑health training. The college reported a $1 million congressional allocation for architecture and engineering on a proposed allied health facility but said construction funding remains to be secured.

Committee action and next steps: Committee staff reported one written testimony in support and no written opposition. After questions and public testimony, the committee moved, seconded and carried a motion to forward the committee’s recommendation/report to the full Senate for consideration; the record shows the motion carried but no formal roll‑call tally was announced at the hearing. The committee adjourned that afternoon; the nomination will next appear before the full Senate for confirmation.

Key direct quotes from the hearing included:

• “I remain committed to supporting policies and initiatives that strengthen academic programs, improve student support services, encourage community partnerships, and ensure responsible stewardship of the college’s resources,” Dr. Jesse M. Tadella said in his opening statement. (Dr. Jesse M. Tadella)

• “We are taking the lead in this workforce PEL program…to enable government employees to start at NMC or come back to NMC,” Galvin Deleon Guerrero said, describing a new federal workforce funding opportunity the college plans to use. (Galvin Deleon Guerrero, President, Northern Marianas College)

• “One written testimony officially received in support…No written testimonies in opposition…,” committee staff reported when disclosing submitted materials. (Committee staff)

What the record does not resolve: Several figures cited in testimony were reported as approximate in the hearing transcript — for example, the enrolment decline was described as “a little bit over a thousand” by a senator; the college and president provided qualitative explanations but did not supply a consolidated, itemized breakdown of the FY25 “other revenues” line during the hearing. Those items are recorded in the committee file for the full Senate’s review.

The committee’s report, including the oral and written testimonies, will be transmitted to the full Senate for final confirmation consideration; the hearing record indicates the committee favored forwarding the nomination.