Northern Marianas College students recently elected new officers to the college’s student government body, the Associated Students of NMC or ASNMC. The new officers are Bonnie Gio Sagana, president; Mary-Jo Camacho, vice president; Jinkim Abogado, secretary; Rownel “Jody” Coloma, treasurer; and Claire Barozzo, Henry San Nicolas, and Ariel Villagomez, senators.
“I am so grateful and humbly honored to have been chosen as the ASNMC President and I want to continue being a platform for students to address their concerns in order to promote success during college life,” Sagana said.
Double majoring in both Nursing and Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Social Work, Sagana is also involved with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as this year’s Recording Secretary, and had also served in ASNMC last term as a Senator. Additionally, he is a member of the Rotaract Club of Saipan.
“I had so much support from my previous officers and advisors who have taught me so much, and I am so grateful for all of the individuals who put their trust in me to represent them as their own President for the year 2023-2024,” Sagana said.
Mary-Jo Camacho, ASNMC’s newly elected vice president, is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is President of the NMC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Vice President of the NMC Humanities Club.
“I feel truly honored to have been elected as this academic year’s ASNMC Vice President,” Camacho said. “Words can not express how grateful I am for everyone who has supported my campaign, voted for me, and placed their trust in me to be their voice at the table.
Majoring in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Accounting, Jinkim Abogado is to serve this term as ASNMC's secretary: She currently works at Project Proa as a mentor and has recently joined the NMC Environmental and Natural Resources Organization (ENRO).
“I am grateful and super excited to have been elected into the Secretary position,” Abagado said. “I look forward to being a voice for all students at NMC and I aim to create a successful year for everyone. I hope to bring all Proas together by participating in events and to create friendships with one another.”
Serving as the newly-elected ASNMC treasurer, Rownel “Jody” Coloma is a double major student pursuing an Associates of Applied Science in Business Administration: Business Management and Accounting Emphasis.
He is additionally involved in the Environmental and Natural Resources Organization (ENRO) club, Project PROA, and 4-H Marianas with the Cooperative Research Extension Education Service’s Family, Community, and Youth Development Program.
“I am excited to have been elected as the ASNMC treasurer for this academic year,” Coloma said. “I would like to use my position as a platform that reflects student’s voices and builds meaningful relationships with one another.”
Newly elected this term as one of the ASNMC Senators, Claire Barrozo is currently working toward her Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.
In her decision to run for the college's student government body, Barrozo plans to work with her peers to listen to the voices of students, provide them opportunities to interact, and encourage learning.
“I wanted to take a new journey and continue my passion of hosting events and creating a safe environment that will have a positive impact on individual’s lives,” she stated.
Henry San Nicolas Jr., who was newly elected as an ASNMC Senator, is currently majoring in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Pre-Engineering. He is also a member of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade (YAC UNOD) as part of the Movement Committee.
“I am just beyond thankful and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve as one of your ASNMC Senators,” he expressed.
Ariel Villagomez, majoring in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Rehabilitation and Human Services, was recently elected as this term’s ASNMC Senator. In the past, he was the vice president of the School of Education (SOE) Club and is currently a member of the SOE Club.
It is through SOE and other organizations that Villagomez was not only able to help the community, but also showcase the value that NMC as a whole has for its community. He hopes to do the same with his position in ASNMC by empowering students to sail to their full potential.
“Being elected as a Senator brought me a great sense of pride, because I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger than myself,” Villagomez said.
ASNMC is a student-driven governance body at the college. Its executive cabinet is composed of students who are elected at large by the student body and serve a one-year term in office.
This year’s student government elections took place on September 11 through 13, 2023.
For more information about ASNMC, visit marianas.edu or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.