NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
April 28, 2021
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in a regular session on April 28 2021. The regular meeting began at 3:30 p.m in Room 268 of the Student Commons building on National Park College campus. Trustees present in-person were Larry Bailey, Gail Ezelle, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright. Joyce Craft attended virtually via Zoom.
Staff and faculty members present in-person and virtually were Nathan Ritter, Dorothy Norris, Sara Caldwell, Diane Meredith, James Montgomery, Ashley Clayborn, Cari Elliott, Melony Martinez, Lisa Hopper, Darlene Gentles, Debra Wilson, Katherine McCorkle, Brad Hopper, Darla Thurber, Jill Houlihan. Brian Kroening, Nicole Herndon, Latisa Beason, Miles Morton, Blake Butler, Jennifer Lyons, Wade Derden, Sheryl Strother, Jessica Ellis, Stacey Armstrong, Jaymes Doss, Jason Hudnell, Kevin Tello, Richard Thompson, Bruce Hankins, Sheryl Strother, Melissa Krafft, Robin Pelton, Kelli Embry, Bill Allison, Dr. Gwendolyn Carter, Steve Trusty, Julie Larue, Sharon Sinclair, Amy Fincham, Toni Knupps, Janice Ivers, Lynn Valetutti, Susan Millerd, Jerry Thomas, Te'Airra Blanchard, Matthias Elder, Terri Helms, Roger Fox, Eric Boardway, John Tucker, Bill Ritter, Amy Watson, Samantha Christian, Yolanda Cox, Scott Post, Michael Barnes, Mike Wiles, Chris Coble, and Susan Gaither-Maddox.
Chair Forrest Spicher welcomed everyone to the April National Park College Board of Trustees meeting. Chair Spicher paid special notice to the return of in-person meetings following changes in federal and state guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety protocols.
Jim Hale presented the invocation.
Ashley Clayborn, Executive Assistant to the President reviewed the upcoming Calendar of Events for the Board of Trustees including plans for Commencement, Board of Trustees Annual Budget Review and Retreat, and Employee Recognition Day.
Jason Hudnell, Dean of Enrollment Services and Athletics Director, introduced Kevin Tello, the new head coach for the NPC Soccer program and a recruiter. Hudnell also introduced Richard Thompson, head coach for baseball and student life coordinator.
Items for Action
- Raymond Wright made a motion to approve the March 31 Meeting Jim Hale seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Due to delayed arrivals of some attendees, the Finance Committee met briefly prior to the regular meeting and Bruce Hankins, Chief Financial Officer, offered more details regarding the finances in the regular meeting. Trustee Larry Bailey moved to accept the financial reports as presented in the committee meeting. Raymond Wright seconded, and the motion passed
- Dr. Wade Derden, Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented academic program changes.
These changes include a new program proposal, program revision, and program deletion.
This item detailed the creation of a new Certificate of Proficiency in Computer Science
which could be offered as an additional credential for students pursuing their associates
of science degree in STEM Computer Science with Southern Arkansas University. The
new program also enables students who do not qualify with the prerequisite College
Algebra course to use financial aid.
Dr. Derden proposed a revision to the current Associate of Science in Business Information Systems, which transfers to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This revision relocates the program under Associate of Science in STEM, which requires a CIP code change and notification to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Dr. Derden proposed a deletion of the Certificate of Proficiency in Allied Health program for high school students, as no students have been awarded the degree or are seeking it currently. Due to National Park Technology Center curriculum restructuring, this program is no longer viable.
Dr. Rhonda Harrington made a motion to approve the academic program changes. Jim Hale seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Julie LaRue, Director of Human Resources, presented the ratifications of personnel actions. LaRue noted an addendum to the personnel items are they are presented in the packet. Two additional resignation items were Jim Hale made a motion to approve the ratifications as presented. Raymond Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Chair Spicher reflected on the importance of Athletics and his own experiences as a student athlete at National Park Community College.
- Jason Hudnell provided updates on the athletics program as well as future plans for Fall
- President John Hogan discussed plans moving forward with athletics as well as the awards and recognition NPC has received over the past year.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:23 m.
Forrest Spicher, Chair
Joyce Craft, Secretary/Treasurer