Promotion, Retention, Opportunities, Advancement
Helping Students Navigate their Path to a College Degree
Project PROA offers FREE tutoring and mentoring, activities, workshops, and resources to high school and college students.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Project PROA’s services are offered on-campus or virtually/online (appointment/drop-in) for the FALL 2023 semester. To sign up for free tutoring and mentoring, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The PROA Center is temporarily located at the CNMI Archives in Building O. Project PROA is open Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm (on-campus/virtually) 5:00pm - 8:00pm (virtually by appointment only) and on Saturdays, 8:00am - 6:00pm (virtually by appointment only).
What is Project PROA?
The mission of Project Promotion Retention Opportunities Advancement (PROA) is to improve and expand the capacity of indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian students* in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by increasing the proportion of those who enroll and graduate on time at NMC.
Project PROA’s goals are to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career interest among students and provide financial literacy education to students and their families through tutoring and mentoring and activities and workshops.
*As a federally-funded program under the U.S. Department of Education's Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) grant, Project PROA serves all enrolled high school and college students.
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What services does Project PROA provide?
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Project PROA provides the following services to high school and college students:
- Activities/Workshops
- Academic, STEM & Financial Literacy, and mentorship activities
- Advising/Counseling
- Academic advising support and financial literacy counseling
- College Mentoring
- In-person/virtual mentoring
- In-class mentoring in all BE111 sections
- Embedded Tutoring
- In-person/virtual tutoring in all math or science courses via 1:1 or group sessions
- In-class/virtual tutoring in all math courses up to MA132, BI101, and EG101
- Computer/Printer Access, Resources*, & Study Space
- Printing/copying services, course textbooks, calculators, laptops, tablets, headphones, musical instruments, and study space are available at the PROA Center *All resources can only be used at the PROA Center.
Apply Now!
How do I apply for Project PROA services?
To sign up for our services, fill out the application form here and e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For any other services or inquiries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
How do I apply to become a Navigator?
See flyer below for details
Proa Pathway Partnership
The Proa Pathways program is a cooperative arrangement between the Northern Marianas College (NMC) and Portland State University (PSU) under the U.S. Department of Education’s Asian American Native American Pacific Islanders Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) grant. This program supports Asian American and Pacific Islander students as they graduate from NMC and transfer to PSU by providing services that will help them identify career paths in STEM, receive mentorship and guidance, and gain research experience that aligns with their educational and career goals in preparation for their transition.
Application Review & Applicant Interviews: December 10-13, 2024
The Proa Pathways Application is available here!
Opens: October 1, 2024
Closes: December 1, 2024
Letters of Recommendation Due: December 1, 2024
Notice of Selection: January 8, 2024
Onboarding: January 13-17, 2024
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be at least 18 years and older as of May 31, 2025
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Have completed at least one term of undergraduate coursework by Spring 2025
- Be enrolled full-time at the time of application or have previously completed an AA/AS
- Must be interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or related field
- Upon completing an associate's degree from NMC, applicant must intend to transfer to Portland State University in Fall 2026 (see below for accelerated pathway)
- Must show proof of CNMI Scholarship or SHEFA application submission for Fall/Spring
- Must intend to return home to the CNMI
How to Apply?
Step 1: Must complete a Proa Pathways application.
Step 2: Commit to attending the one (1) week Summer Research Academy at Portland State University in June 2025.
Step 3: Must register for Gateway course and complete ED102 - Introduction to Research & Scholarship, MA161 College Algebra, and EN202 English Composition II by Spring 2026.
How to Apply for the Accelerated Pathway?
Step 1: Must complete a Proa Pathways application.
Step 2: Must commit to moving to Portland, Oregon in June 2025 to attend the one (1) week Summer Research Academy at PSU, New Student Transfer Orientation, and Summer Research Immersion Program from July to September 2025.
Step 3: Must register and complete ED102 - Introduction to Research & Scholarship, MA161 College Algebra, and EN202 English Composition II at NMC in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.
**Note: We have limited slots for the accelerated pathway so applicants may be asked to complete a Fall 2025 Admissions Application at PSU for further consideration.
For more information about the program, please contact projectproa@marianas.
Workshops / Sessions
Check out our NMC Youtube Channel to view Project PROA's STEM and Financial Literacy videos:
https://www.youtube.com/
Annual Research Symposium
The symposium featured a collection of research projects from students and faculty across the different degree programs who will showcase their work.
Camp PROA - Summer Bridge Program
Camp PROA is a summer bridge program aimed to help high school students be college and career ready through various engaging activities and opportunities in STEM fields and much more! Click Here to join the fun!
Contact our Staff
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Kaelani Marie Demapan
Project PROA Director
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Malyssa Q. Castro
Counselor (Student Support)
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Kyanna M. Tenorio
Program Manager (Student Resources)
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Roy Alegre
Counselor (Career Support)
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Johnson Atalig
Counselor (Tutoring and Mentoring Support)
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Maria Aguon
Project PROA Tinian Site Coordinator
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Diana Hocog
Interim Project PROA Rota Site Coordinator