David Borja
Encyclopedia
David Muna Borja is a Northern Mariana Islands
educator, military veteran and politician
. Borja, who ran for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
, was the running mate
of gubernatorial candidate Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero
in the 2009 gubernatorial election
.
.
for grades 1-3 and Tamuning elementary school for grades 4th - 6th.
Borja graduated from John F. Kennedy High School
in Tumon
, Guam
. He enrolled as the University of Guam
from 1972–1975, where he received a bachelor's degree
in mathematics
. He enrolled at Central Michigan University
from 1979 to 1980 and obtained a master's degree
in management
and supervision
.
In 2002, Borja earned a doctorate
in business administration from California Coast University
, which he attended from 1999 until the completion of his doctoral program. In doing so, Borja became the first Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands
to obtain a doctorate in business administration. It was later revealed in the GAO diploma mill report that California Coast was not accredited to offer PhDs.
before he retired on July 31, 1994 with the rank
of major
.
Borja enlisted and completed United States Army Corps of Engineers
basic training
in 1977. He further completed the U.S. Army Engineer Officer Advance Course in 1981 and the U.S. Army Command and services staff school in 1984. Finally, Borja graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
in 1987.
Borja initially entered as an enlisted soldier
, which was his position within the Army from December 1976 until June 1979. He served as an Army Company Commander
for two years, from August 1982 until April 1984. He next became a U.S. Engineer Officer from July 1987 until July 1994. He finally served as Battalion Executive Officer from July 1992 until his retirement from the Army on July 31, 1994.
Borja refocused his career on education after his departure from the U.S. Army in 1994. He became an assistant professor of Military Science
at California State University
from July 1994 until July 1997. Simultaneously, Borja taught in the classroom at Marianas High School
in Saipan from August 1994 until July 1995, and returned to the faculty of the school for a second time from September 1996 until July 2000. Between July 1995 and September 1996, Borja served as the principal of Hopwood Junior High School
on Saipan
.
Borja became the teacher representative to the CNMI Board of Education
from 1997 until 2000, while he a faculty member at Marianas High School. In the 2000s, Borja became the Associate Commissioner of Administrative Services with the CNMI Public School System.
In 2006, Borja became the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) education commissioner, succeeding Dr. Rita Inos
. However, in June 2008 Borja was abruptly replaced by the PSS board of directors, and was succeeded as education commissioner by Dr. Rita Sablan.
In March 2009, Borja was chosen by independent gubernatorial candidate Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero
to be his running mate
Lieutenant Governor
in the 2009 election for governor
. Guerrero selected Borja from a listed of 18 possible running mates. The Guerrero-Borja ticket adopted the campaign slogan "Time for a Change!"
David Borja is married to his wife, Karen Lawson Borja. The couple have four children - Gregory Pat, Anmari Jo, Christina Gannon and Andrew Lewis.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
educator, military veteran and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Borja, who ran for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has a self governing government consisting of a locally elected governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The current Lieutenant Governor is Eloy Inos, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created when...
, was the running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
of gubernatorial candidate Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero
Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero
Ramon "Kumoi" Santos Deleon Guerrero is a Northern Mariana Islands politician. Guerrero is an independent candidate for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2009 gubernatorial election....
in the 2009 gubernatorial election
Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2009
The Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2009 was held on November 7, 2009 to determine the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands....
.
Biography
David Borja was born on May 21, 1954, to parents, Gregorio Flores and Catalina Tudela Muna Borja. The family resided in the village of San Vicente, SaipanSan Vicente, Saipan
San Vicente is a village on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. it is located close to the shore of Magicienne Bay, to the south of the island's highest point, Mount Tagpochau. It is connected via the cross-island road to Susupe in the west and with Capital Hill and Tanapag to the north....
.
Education
Borja attended Mount Carmel elementary schoolElementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
for grades 1-3 and Tamuning elementary school for grades 4th - 6th.
Borja graduated from John F. Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School (Guam)
John F. Kennedy High School , formerly Tumon Senior-Junior High School,, is a public secondary school located in the Tumon area of Tamuning, Guam, United States...
in Tumon
Tumon
Tumon is an area located on the west coast of the island of Guam, United States territory. Located in the municipality of Tamuning, it is the center of Guam's tourist industry.-History of Tumon:...
, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. He enrolled as the University of Guam
University of Guam
University of Guam is a four-year land-grant institution, located in the village of Mangilao on the island of Guam in the Western Pacific Ocean...
from 1972–1975, where he received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. He enrolled at Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
from 1979 to 1980 and obtained a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
and supervision
Supervisor
A supervisor, foreperson, team leader, overseer, cell coach, facilitator, or area coordinator is a manager in a position of trust in business...
.
In 2002, Borja earned a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in business administration from California Coast University
California Coast University
California Coast University is a distance learning private university. It was established in 1973 and is located in Santa Ana, California. It has national accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council . Since its founding, CCU has offered undergraduate and graduate programs in...
, which he attended from 1999 until the completion of his doctoral program. In doing so, Borja became the first Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
to obtain a doctorate in business administration. It was later revealed in the GAO diploma mill report that California Coast was not accredited to offer PhDs.
Career
Borja had a long career with the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
before he retired on July 31, 1994 with the rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
.
Borja enlisted and completed United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
basic training
Basic Training
Basic Training may refer to:* Basic Training, a 1971 American documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman* Basic Training , an American sex comedy* Recruit training...
in 1977. He further completed the U.S. Army Engineer Officer Advance Course in 1981 and the U.S. Army Command and services staff school in 1984. Finally, Borja graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
in 1987.
Borja initially entered as an enlisted soldier
Enlisted rank
An enlisted rank is, in most Militaries, any rank below a commissioned officer or warrant officer. The term can also be inclusive of non-commissioned officers...
, which was his position within the Army from December 1976 until June 1979. He served as an Army Company Commander
Company Commander
A company commander is the commanding officer of a company, a military unit which typically consists of 100 to 350 soldiers, often organized into three or four smaller units called platoons....
for two years, from August 1982 until April 1984. He next became a U.S. Engineer Officer from July 1987 until July 1994. He finally served as Battalion Executive Officer from July 1992 until his retirement from the Army on July 31, 1994.
Borja refocused his career on education after his departure from the U.S. Army in 1994. He became an assistant professor of Military Science
Military science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
at California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
from July 1994 until July 1997. Simultaneously, Borja taught in the classroom at Marianas High School
Marianas High School
Marianas High School is a public high school located on Saipan in the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands . It is one of five high schools operated by the CNMI Public School System, and the largest of three public high schools serving the island of Saipan.Built in 1969, the...
in Saipan from August 1994 until July 1995, and returned to the faculty of the school for a second time from September 1996 until July 2000. Between July 1995 and September 1996, Borja served as the principal of Hopwood Junior High School
Hopwood Junior High School
Hopwood Junior High School is the larger of two institutions of junior high education on the island of Saipan. Hopwood Junior High School was founded in 1949 as the Saipan Intermediate School and then renamed in 1962 after Admiral Herbert Gladstone Hopwood of the United States Navy. Admiral...
on Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
.
Borja became the teacher representative to the CNMI Board of Education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
from 1997 until 2000, while he a faculty member at Marianas High School. In the 2000s, Borja became the Associate Commissioner of Administrative Services with the CNMI Public School System.
In 2006, Borja became the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) education commissioner, succeeding Dr. Rita Inos
Rita Inos
Rita Hocog Inos, EdD, was a Northern Mariana Island educator, activist and politician. Inos was the former Education Commissioner of the Northern Marianas school system and served on the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents...
. However, in June 2008 Borja was abruptly replaced by the PSS board of directors, and was succeeded as education commissioner by Dr. Rita Sablan.
In March 2009, Borja was chosen by independent gubernatorial candidate Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero
Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero
Ramon "Kumoi" Santos Deleon Guerrero is a Northern Mariana Islands politician. Guerrero is an independent candidate for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2009 gubernatorial election....
to be his running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has a self governing government consisting of a locally elected governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The current Lieutenant Governor is Eloy Inos, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created when...
in the 2009 election for governor
Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2009
The Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2009 was held on November 7, 2009 to determine the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands....
. Guerrero selected Borja from a listed of 18 possible running mates. The Guerrero-Borja ticket adopted the campaign slogan "Time for a Change!"
David Borja is married to his wife, Karen Lawson Borja. The couple have four children - Gregory Pat, Anmari Jo, Christina Gannon and Andrew Lewis.