On April 22, 2025. – The COM LGP Board of Regents convened its second quarterly meeting at the COM-FSM National Campus in Palikir. This assembly brought together key stakeholders from across the region, including the Regents led by Chairman Emais Roberts, partner college Presidents and Cooperative Research & Extension (CRE) Vice Presidents, the central office team led by the Acting Director/AES Associate Director Dr. Manoj Nair, and extension teams. 

The meeting marked a significant point in time where new Regent from the RMI Hon. Minister of the Ministry of Education Gerald Zackios was elected the new Secretary/Treasurer replacing former Minister Joe Bejang, and new CMI President David Newnham who attended this particular board meeting for the first time in person.

Discussion highlights included the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held in Yap, budget updates, and a comprehensive review of investment performance presented by Raymond James. The central office and partner colleges’ Vice Presidents also delivered quarterly progress reports, showcasing the ongoing initiatives/activities and collaborative efforts among the colleges.

The event concluded with a networking reception hosted by the COM LGP central office at the Mangrove Bay restaurant, providing a significant avenue for the attendees to strengthen relationships and discuss strategies for effective institutional governance and delivery within the educational landscape and the communities in the region.

“Dr. Hamby’s deep-rooted experience in agriculture—from hands-on work in farming to decades of leadership in research and innovation—makes him the ideal choice to lead NIFA,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “His commitment to advancing agricultural research, extension, and education will help drive solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges and ensure the continued strength and global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.”

Dr. Hamby, a Tennessee native, grew up on his family’s cow-calf operation and developed a deep connection to agriculture through 4-H and FFA, eventually serving as a national FFA officer. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Tennessee before completing his master’s and doctorate degrees in agricultural education at Oklahoma State University. Over the course of his career, he has directed hundreds of research efforts specializing in concept testing, product marketing, value driver analysis, and following market trends and strategies to support agricultural producers.

Dr. Jaye L. Hamby replaced Dr Manjit K. Misra as the new Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Bruno Ned (Director of Fisheries), Dr. Manoj Nair, Engly Ionais, Kenye Killin, Mee Mee, Dr. Kay Soe, Rolner L. Joe (Director of DREA) and Stanley Lorennij.

The gathering also included the Vice Presidents of the Cooperative Research & Extension (CRE) programs from these three partner Colleges, including the CRE Coordinators from COM-FSM’s Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Kosrae campuses as well as several researchers and support staff from COM-FSM’s CRE programs. Key topics addressed during the meeting included a review of the updated College of Micronesia Land Grant HR Handbook, policies, resolutions and updates on directives issued during the preceding Board meeting in Kosrae during the month of September this year.

The agenda encompassed various other important agenda items such as approval of the minutes of the previous meeting, budget updates, reviewing of investment performance report and endowment fund, and presentations of quarterly progress reports from the central office and the CRE Vice Presidents. The meeting concluded with a joint reception that brought together both the COM Land Grant Program and the COM-FSM Board of Regents, support staff, and CRE personnel as well as distinguished guests including the lieutenant governor of Yap, honorable Mr. Francis Itimai.