UOG Announces 8 Years of Accreditation from WASC

WASC Commends UOG's Good to Great Initiative, Board of Regents, and Fiscal Responsibility

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) has reaffirmed another eight years of accreditation for the University of Guam, guaranteeing that UOG has met the Commission’s high standards of quality and effectiveness. “We are extremely proud to announce the reaffirmation of another eight years of accreditation,” said UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood. “We received our first eight years of accreditation in 2009, and our new term will last until 2024. This accomplishment will mark an unprecedented 16 years of continuous accreditation for UOG.” For more information and to view the WASC Senior College and University Commission action letter and report, visit www.uog.edu/accreditation or on the WASC website at www.wascsenior.org. COMMENDATIONS The Commission commended the University in seven areas: Taking steps to implement each of the team's recommendations immediately after the visit. The Commission is pleased to learn of the university's efforts to: strengthen graduation rates; invest in data management; hire additional staff to support institutional research; institutionalize SSIT; enhance program review; and undertake co-curricular assessment.   Designing and carrying out the Good to Great (G2G) initiative.  The Commission is impressed by this ambitious, progressive, comprehensive, and successful endeavor. The stated objective of prioritization is particularly commendable, as is the inclusion of the university's stakeholders, internal and external, in shaping the initiative.   Demonstrating strong fiscal stewardship.  In the face of challenging resource constraints, the university has achieved multi-year financial surpluses.  The diversification of revenue streams has been critical to the university's financial sustainability. The Commission applauds senior leadership for its fiscal discipline and for aligning resources with institutional priorities.   Developing an effective relationship with the Board of Regents.  As reported by the team, the board is actively engaged, strongly independent, fully autonomous, and highly supportive of the University of Guam.   Focusing on regional needs.  The university has demonstrated a deep commitment to regional needs and the public good through education, research and service.   Strengthening first-year retention to 74.5%.  The University of Guam has implemented a range activities and practices that are leading to student success.   Creating a remarkably inclusive, collaborative culture focused on good university citizenship. The G2G process, in addition to a number of university initiatives, reflects this approach to collaborating across constituencies, in order to break down silos, create synergies, and forge a new unified direction for the university.

Source:  www.uog.edu

Guam Council IRA Receives Honor Council in Boston, MA

Congratulations to the Guam Council IRA for receiving the ILA Honor Council Award!  Guam IRA has been instrumental in promoting literacy on Guam since 1968, and it will continue in its efforts to do so for many years to come.  Our mission is to develop an awareness of the powerful impact of reading, and we aim to make connections to the island's community through various literacy projects and events including our Annual Read-A-Thon, Author Visits, educator grants, Annual Language Arts Conference sponsorship, literacy workshops/presentations, professional development credit opportunities, local book donations and International book donations to our neighboring islands, affordable and resourceful books, tools, supplies, and engaging projects that promote literacy on the island of Guam and Micronesia at large.

Guam IRA Receives ILA Honor Council Award for 2015-2016 at the ILA Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.  Guam IRA has been instrumental in promoting literacy on Guam since 1968 and was recognized as an HONOR COUNCIL of the International Literacy Association for its achievements in programs, membership, promotion, and community service.  Pictured L-R:  April Cordova, Guam IRA Board Member; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, 2016-2017 Guam IRA President; Lois Taitano Gumataotao, Guam IRA Board Member; Evangeline P. Chaco, 2015-2016 Guam IRA President; Dylan Orot, Guam IRA Board Member; and Annette Raguindin, Guam IRA Board Member.

Congratulations, 2016-2017 IRA Board Members!

President:

Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera

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President-Elect, Readathon 2016-2017 Chair:

Rose Cruz Castro

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Recording Secretary:

Martha Sudo

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Treasurer:

Nilfa Milan

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Corresponding Secretary:

Neldie Pendon-Limtiaco

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Grants:

Lois T. Gumataotao

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Hard Cover:

Lea Calvo, Sophia Fujikawa, Marilyn Balajadia

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Software:

Geri Duenas

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Book Exchange:

Jane Rayphand

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Paperback:

Annette Raguindin

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Novelties:

Margaret Beam, Darlene Quichocho

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Young Adults:

Dylan Orot, April Cordova

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Professional Development:

Erlinda Arriola, Martha Sudo

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Author Visit:

Lois T. Gumataotao

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Membership:

Stephanie Taitano, Margaret Asuncion

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Historian:

Frances Blanco

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Webmaster:

Liwanag Dominguez

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Newsletter:

Grace Griffin

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Professional Resources:

Liwanag Dominguez, Elaine Madrazo

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Door Prizes:

Evangeline "Vangie" Chaco

Congratulations Newly-Elected Officers!

Congratulations to the newly-elected PIBBA International Officers!

President - Senator Shelten G. Neth (Pohnpei)

President-Elect (Acting) - Jon Masaichi (Palau)

Secretary - Theresa "Ewy" Taitano (Guam)

Treasurer - Rosa Salas Palomo (Guam)
Historian - Alister Tolenoa (Kosrae)

Webmaster - Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera (Guam)

PIBBA International Officers:  Pictured L-R:  Rosa Salas Palomo, Treasurer; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster; Jon Masaichi, Acting Presiden-Elect; Alister Tolenoa, Historian; and Theresa "Ewy" Taitano, Secretary.  Not pictured is President Sen. Shelten G. Neth.

PIBBA Conference a Success!

Guam IRA - May 2016 Newsletter

Click on the newsletter above to view this month's issue.

FESTPAC PUBLICATIONS CELEBRATES BOOK LAUNCH FOR LOCAL VOICES: AN ANTHOLOGY

In honor of the 12^th Festival of Pacific Arts, the Guam Literary Arts Publications Committee will celebrate the publication of Local Voices: An Anthology at Pika’s Cafe on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. The collection of poetry and creative narratives features 37 authors from the Pacific Island region, many of whom are official delegates representing Guam at Fest Pac 2016.

Authors in Local Voices include the following: Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Simone Efigenia Perez Bollinger, Kisha Borja-Quichocho, Raina Carpo, Dennis Chan, Paulette M. Coulter, Brandon Cruz, Eduardo R. Cruz, Tressa Cundiff Dela Cruz, Alicia U. Diego, Evelyn Flores, Louie Gombar, Mary P. Hattori, Kenneth Gofigan Kuper, Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, Arielle Lowe, Lufi A. Luteru, Kelly G. Marsh-Taitano, Cara Flores Mays, Leiana S.A. Naholowa'a, Craig Santos Perez, Kallen Perez, Doug Poole, Malia Ramirez, Andrew Roberto, Shane Root, Vincent John Salas, Johanna Salinas, Corey Santos, Meta Sarmiento, Megan Taitague, Ewy Taitano, Tanya Taimanglo, Tabitha Espina Velasco, Desiree Taimanglo Ventura, Clarissa Villava, and Verna Zafra.

WHAT: The Local Voices public book launch event is free and open to the public and will include live readings by the authors. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, and the special Fest Pac price for the book is $20.00.

WHEN: Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Pika’s Cafe, Upper Tumon

WHO: Delegates and Members of the Guam Fest Pac Literary Arts Publications Committee; Authors featured in Local Voices

WHY: Local Voices has been created specifically for the 12^th Festival of Pacific Arts, which Guam is hosting this year. The Guam Fest Pac Publications Committee seeks to expand opportunities for local writers to publish their work as well as increase Pacific Island literature and literacy in our region.