The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) joined the Pacific STEP-UP Program in 2011 with the aid of local collaborators Barbara Merfalen at Northern Marianas College (NMC) and Dr. Rita Sablan with the CNMI Public School System (PSS). The CNMI Local High School Summer Research Symposium was held for the first time in July 2015.
Asapmar Ogumoro
CNMI Public School System
Mr. Ogumoro has been with the CNMI Public School System for 13 years and taught 11 years at Garapan Elementary School as a 6th grade teacher and Science Representative. He obtained his Education degree from Eastern Oregon University and a Master’s degree in International Education through Framingham State University. Mr. Ogumoro has been an active member of the Science Professional Learning Community assisting with STEM activities and curriculum discussions. He is currently the Public School System’s Science Program Coordinator and assists with the STEP-UP program as the local CNMI STEP-UP Coordinator.
Velma C. Deleon Guerrero
Northern Marianas College
Ms. Guerrero earned her BS in Elementary Education from the Northern Marianas College (NMC) and a MA in Education from Framingham State University. She taught as an adjunct instructor in NMC’s School of Education from Fall 2006 through Spring 2008. In Fall 2008, she took on a full-time instructor position in the School of Education until Fall 2011, when she agreed to serve in her current position as Liberal Arts Program Coordinator. For the past two years, she also served as the acting department chair for Sciences, Mathematics, Health and Athletics department.
