Trustees Minutes Oct. 2022

NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting

October 26, 2022

The National Park College Board of Trustees met in regular session on October 26, 2022, beginning at 3:30 PM. Trustees present were Larry Bailey, Mike Bush, Joyce Craft, Jim Hale, Bev Joe, Lance Porter, Rhonda Harrington, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright.

Staff and faculty members present were Bill Allison, Wade Derden, Jessie Ellis, Kelly Embry, Jennifer Evans, Roger Fox, Michelle Godwin, Leane Hardin, Nicole Herndon, John Hogan, Brad Hopper, Lisa Hopper, Janice Ivers, Brian Kroening, Julie LaRue, Tyanna Lindsey, Jeff Looper, Jennifer Lyons, Kurt Markish, Melony Martinez, Katherine McCorkle, Rose Milnes, Andrew Pennington, Nathan Poor, Scott Post, Janetta Ritter, Nathan Ritter, Cleo Ross, Abigail Saveall. Sandra Skillern, Jerry Thomas, Rich Thompson, Darla Thurber, Steve Trusty, and Tim Webb.

The Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC) award winners for Outstanding Staff, Outstanding Faculty, and Academic All-Star were introduced.

The media was notified of the meeting. Brandon Smith and Donald Cross of The Sentinel Record were in attendance.

Chair Forrest Spicher opened the meeting with a welcome. Trustee Bush provided the invocation.

Items for Action

1. Trustee Hale made a motion to approve the September 28, 2022, minutes as presented. Trustee Bush seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Wade Derden, Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented academic program changes. First, Dr. Derden proposed the addition of course transfer degrees to UA Little Rock which include Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Art Education to UALR Art Education, BA, Art History to UALR Art History, BA, Studio Art to UALR Studio Art, BA, and Studio Art to UALR Studio Art, BFA. Second, Dr. Derden proposed program revision of the Basic Business Law certificate program from twelve to nine credit hours, the Automotive Tune-up Specialist certificate program from twelve to nine credit hours, and the Marine Engine Fundamentals certificate program from ten to thirteen credit hours. Third, Dr. Derden proposed program deletions of Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Anthropology to UCA Anthropology, BA, Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Philosophy to UCA Philosophy, BA, and Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Sociology to UCA Sociology, BA. Finally, Dr. Derden requested approval to offer more than half of an associate degree, on a dual/concurrent credit basis, at an off-campus location, Lake Hamilton High School (LHHS) in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Trustee Wright made a motion to approve the academic program changes as presented. Trustee Craft seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Julie LaRue, Director of Human Resources, presented the ratifications of personnel actions. Trustee Bailey made a motion to approve the ratifications as presented. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
4. Bill Allison, Vice President of Workforce, requested approval to submit a proposal to the Office of Skills Development (OSD) to open a satellite location in Glenwood, Arkansas. The purpose is to offer secondary programs as well as expand programming at its current location. Trustee Wright made a motion to approve an additional site location as presented. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Items for Report

1. July 2022 Revenue Report - Kelli Embry, Vice President of Administration, shared that the July 2022 revenue report was provided to the Finance Committee before the regular board meeting.
2. HPO and Strategic Plan - Kelli Embry gave a detailed report on the outcomes for the previous planning year’s High Priority Objectives. Embry emphasized how the NPC Foundation continues to cultivate new and nurture established relationships through the major gifts campaign. She discussed the significant gifts given toward endowed and non-endowed scholarships, specifically for nursing and allied health. Embry provided highlights from the previous year, including HLC reaccreditation, identification of the Master Plan Phase One projects, virtual campus for all, the launch of the HRIS system; Paycor, the major gifts campaign, men’s and women’s soccer, a career coaches program, and our automated admission process. Embry expressed how future strategic planning will include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in addition to more four-year degrees on this campus, further automation projects, HVAC system upgrades, access control of campus facilities to improve safety and security, continued professional development classes, and expansion of the Colleges’ reach with apprenticeship programming.    
3. Board Chair Report - Chair Spicher commended the National Park College team for their hard work, fortitude, and resilience. Spicher expressed gratitude and appreciation for the team maintaining its’ course heading with directional purpose and accountability.
4. President’s Report - President Hogan reflected on the accomplishments National Park College has experienced through the leadership of the strategic planning group, the vice presidents, the board of trustees, and the faculty and staff. President Hogan acknowledged the high standard the College holds itself and the students we serve. He reiterated how the campus builds its Strategic Plan around the High Priority Objects and how they are fundamental to the success of the college and the students. He thanked the Outstanding Faculty and Staff and Academic All-Star Award winners. He also appreciated UA Little Rock for the new transfer programs and emphasized how the programs appeal to our students and local workforce.

 There was no further business. Chair Spicher motioned to adjourn, and Trustee Bailey seconded. The meeting adjourned at 4:19 PM.

Forrest Spicher, Chair
Beverly Joe, Secretary/Treasurer