NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in a regular session on January 26, 2022. The regular meeting began at 3:30 PM in the Student Commons Conference Center on the National Park College campus. Trustees present Mike Bush, Joyce Craft, Rhonda Harrington, Larry Bailey, Beverly Joe, Jim Hale, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright.
Staff and faculty members, and students present in-person and virtual were Sam Christian, Diane Meredith, Michelle Godwin, Darla Thurber, John Hogan, Bruce Hankins, Kelli Embry, Wade Derden, Bill Allison, Julie LaRue, Candra Jennings, Kristi Clark, Melony Martinez, Nathan Ritter, Nathan Poor, Janice Ivers, Steve Trusty, Nicole Herndon, Brad Hopper, John McMorran, Leane Hardin, Paul Lowe, Jessica Fox, Blake Butler, Abby Saveall, Connie Poteet, Kristin Thompson, Latisa Beason, Suzanne Hendrix, Terri Helms, Jaymes Doss, Darlene Gentles, Bill Ritter, Anne Benoit, Chris Coble, Joel Rush, John Tucker, Robin Pelton, Tim Ward, Mike Wiles, Sheryl Strother, Brian Kroening, Nathan Poor, Melissa Krafft, Jill Houlihan, Katherine McCorkle, Amy Fincham, Susan Millerd, Sara Caldwell, Scott Post, Lisa Hopper, Kurt Markish, Paul Lowe, Matthias Elder, Cari Elliott, Katelynn Hardage, and Lisa Hopper.
The media was notified of the meeting. Brandon Smith and Donald Cross with Sentinel Record were in attendance.
Chair Forrest Spicher provided a welcome and Trustee Wright provided the invocation.
Chair Forrest Spicher introduced Respiratory Program Director, Paul Lowe and he introduced the January 2022 student of the month, Jessica Fox. Chair Spicher congratulated Ms. Fox for being elected as Student of the Month and thanked her for all that she has done for the college.
Items for Action
- Trustee Bush made a motion to approve the December 1, 2021, minutes as presented. Trustee Craft seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Bailey made a motion to approve the September and October 2021 Financial Statements as presented by Bruce Hankins, Chief Financial Officer. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Wade Derden, Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented Academic Program changes. He first presented a request for program deletion of the Technical Certificate (TC) in Computer Networking and deletion of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Computer Networking noted in the Board of Trustee packet. Trustee Wright made a motion to approve the deletion of TC and AAS in Computer Networking. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Dr. Derden presented the addition of the Associate of Science in Business for Transfer to UAM BBA General Business for Completion at NPC as noted in the Board of Trustee packet. Trustee Bush made a motion to approve the new program. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Julie LaRue, Director of Human Resources, presented the ratifications of personnel actions. Trustee Wright made a motion to approve the ratifications as presented. Trustee Harrington seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Kelli Embry, Vice President for Administration, and John McMorran of Lewis Architects Engineers presented Resolution 2022-B and an artistic rendering for Phase I of the NPC Campus Master Plan for Board approval. Trustee Craft made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-B as presented. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Board Chair, Forrest Spicher presented Resolution 2022-C, Resolution of Appreciation. Chair Spicher made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-C. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Bill Allison, Vice President for Workforce, presented a Makerspace Update. Educational Projects included Upward Bound Summer Camp and NPC Summer camps. Classes included Robotic Programing, Rocket Science, Drones, Tech Camp, and 3D Printing. Campus Projects included Maker Club, Pride Hawks Art, Student Government Art, Van Davis Memorial 5k. The makerspace has served many businesses this year including many entrepreneurs seeking technical assistance and prototype fabrication for product ideas.
- Board Chair Report presented by Chair Spicher. Chair Spicher congratulated Jessica Fox, welcomed new employees Kristi Clark, Candra Jennings, Meredith Sykora, and Deanne Hutchens and thanked congratulated Dr. Derden and the HLC team. He expressed appreciation for the Board’s approval of Phase I of the NPC Campus Master Plan and thanked Dr. Hogan for sharing a summary of the State of the College and vision for NPC. Chair Spicher was quoted saying “The integrated planning efforts of Dr. Hogan and the team allows NPC to make decisions strategically to best support our students now and in the future. Every priority described influences the College’s ability to fulfill its mission of student success. Employee retention, campus development, academic and workforce development, enrollment growth…all investments that will make a significant and positive impact on this campus.”
- Presidents Report presented by Dr. John Hogan. President Hogan congratulated Jessica Fox, Student of the Month and expressed appreciation of the Board’s recognition of Dr. Derden, the HLC team, and the campus in the reaccreditation effort. He let Board know that we have received “official” word that reaccreditation has been approved. Dr. Hogan thanked the Board for their continued vision with the approval of Phase I which includes the housing expansion, Welding, Indoor athletics facilities, and the Learning Commons. He was quoted as saying "I am appreciative of the work of the Board, campus, and community to get us to this point. Phase I is going to address our students' immediate needs and ensure their success as they pursue their education and then their careers. All the heavy lifting is worth it." Dr. Hogan presented the State of the College update to include academic enterprise (BSN and more), workforce development (apprenticeships, NPTC), campus and financial development (Phase I, campaign), enrollment growth, retention, completion (attracting and keeping students – local, regional, international), student life (career coaches, athletics, student organizations), employee engagement and retention (steps to foster a supportive environment in which employees feel connected, encouraged, and empowered), campus health, safety, and security (continually improve how we deliver services to our students in a safe environment), automation (tools to support remote learning strategies when needed, evaluate and report the returns our students are receiving).
There being no further business, Chair Spicher made a motion to adjourn, Trustee Bailey seconded. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 PM.
Forrest Spicher, Chair
Joyce Craft, Secretary/Treasurer
