Frankie Eliptico *

Representing CNMI, Vice President, Administration and Advancement, Northern Marianas College

Frankie Eliptico is vice president of administration and advancement at Northern Marianas College (NMC), capping nearly two decades of leadership at the institution. He has previously held the role of interim president for three years, guiding the institution through some of its most difficult years, including recovery from the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yutu and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through his leadership, the College has secured over $120 million that is now helping to rebuild the NMC campus. The three-story flagship building, the Proa Union Building, is scheduled for completion in October 2025. Groundbreaking for the other four new buildings will occur over the next few months.

His work on NMC marketing and branding efforts has been recognized nationally, and he was named Communicator of the Year in the District VI (Western U.S.) region of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

Beyond his role at NMC, he is a dedicated community leader, having served in leadership positions in numerous nonprofit organizations. In addition to his role as WICHE Commissioner, he also sits on the board of governors for the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies, which empowers fiduciaries across the Asia-Pacific region with best practices in governance, responsible investment, and financial stewardship. He has also chaired the board of the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental conservation, as well as the Northern Mariana Islands Humanities Council.

Rodney Jacob

Representing Guam, Attorney, Partner, Calvo Jacob & Pangelinan LLP

Rodney Jacob is a partner in Calvo Jacob & Pangelinan’s Guam office, past president of the Guam Bar Association, and a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Guam. Jacob has worked extensively in leadership positions for schools and universities in the mainland U.S., Guam, Micronesia, and the Philippines to promote access to basic and higher education and to advocate for those living on the margins in his community. In 2016, he took the lead in advocating for Guam’s membership in WICHE as part of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States membership. Since that occurred, Jacob has worked to ensure that Guam’s and Micronesia’s political and educational leaders, students, and other stakeholders know of and utilize he benefits provided through WICHE.  

Jacob has also worked extensively to improve the administration of justice within the local and federal courts throughout Guam and Micronesia. He is admitted to the bar in California, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Jacob received his B.S. and J.D. from Georgetown University. He was a law clerk to Judge Lawrence Howard of the Arizona Court of Appeals (1989-1990) and to Chief Justice Jose Dela Cruz of the CNMI Supreme Court (1993-1995). He grew up in Tucson, Arizona.

Kalani Kaneko

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senator, Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Kalani Kaneko has served as a Senator in the Republic of the Marshall Islands Legislature since 2016 and represents the Capital City of Majuro Atoll. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Heath, Education, and Social Affairs (HESA) committee and has been a member for two terms.

In addition, Senator Kaneko is currently a member of the Marshall Islands Scholarships, Grant, and Loan Board (MISGLB). The MISGLB serves as oversight for the nation’s scholarship program for postsecondary education locally and overseas.

Senator Kaneko is a graduate of Post University with degrees in Marketing and Business Management.

Ronnie Calvo

Senator, Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature

Kalani Kaneko

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senator, Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Kalani Kaneko has served as a Senator in the Republic of the Marshall Islands Legislature since 2016 and represents the Capital City of Majuro Atoll. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Heath, Education, and Social Affairs (HESA) committee and has been a member for two terms.

In addition, Senator Kaneko is currently a member of the Marshall Islands Scholarships, Grant, and Loan Board (MISGLB). The MISGLB serves as oversight for the nation’s scholarship program for postsecondary education locally and overseas.

Senator Kaneko is a graduate of Post University with degrees in Marketing and Business Management.

Tina Rose Muña Barnes

Senator, Guam Legislature