NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in a regular session on April 30, 2025, beginning at 3:26 PM. Trustees present were Mike Bush, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Joel Newburn, Lance Porter, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright.
Staff, faculty members, and guests present were Thia Armstrong, Chuck Argo, David Braden, Katrina Bryant, Sarah Day, Wade Derden, Jessica Ellis, Kelli Embry, Kathy Flournoy, Reverend Scott Gallimore, Kassidy Gardner, Leane Hardin, Amy Harkness, Richard Harkness, Terri Helms, Brittney Henry, Nicole Herndon, Brad Hopper, Janice Ivers, Brian Kroening, Shannon LaDuke, Nathan Looper, Jennifer Lyons, Caysie Martin, Rose Milnes, Mark Oliver, Scott Post, Emily Pyland, Brooke Reid, Bill Ritter, Stephanie Rizzo, Zane Shnaekel, Victoria Staton, Jayden Story, Darla Thurber, Lindsey Vondenstein, Tim Webb, Megan Wheeler, Brooke Wyatt.
The media was notified of the meeting. Brandon Smith with The Sentinel Record was in attendance.
Chair Jim Hale opened the meeting early at 3:26 PM due to the approaching severe weather.
Sarah Day took roll call. A quorum was present.
Reverend Scott Gallimore with Piney Grove Church provided the invocation.
Sarah Day introduced David Braden and Thia Armstrong with Servitas; Richard Harkness, husband to Spotlight on Success recipient Amy Harkness; and NPC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Chuck Argo, who introduced NPC/UAM Bachelor’s graduates, Brittney Henry, Brooke Wyatt, Katrina Bryant, Kassidy Gardner, and Brooke Reid. Chair Hale introduced the Spotlight on Success speaker, Amy Harkness.
Items for Action
- Trustee Bush motioned to approve the February 26, 2025, minutes as presented. Trustee Spicher seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Spicher motioned to approve the February and March 2025 financial statements as presented by Megan Wheeler, NPC Controller, during the Finance Committee Meeting. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Bush motioned to approve the April Personnel Ratifications as presented by Kathy Flournoy, NPC Director of Human Services. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Vice Chair, Trustee Beverly Joe, presented and motioned that the proposed amended Board Bylaws be approved. Trustee Harrington seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Chuck Argo, NPC Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented the following amended
NPC Policies for approval:
- Policy 5.720 – Sabbatical Leave. Trustee Spicher motioned to approve the amended NPC Policy 5.720 as presented. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Policy 6.600 – Class Attendance. Trustee Bush motioned to approve the amended NPC Policy 6.600 as presented. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Chuck Argo, Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented proposed academic program changes. Trustee Spicher motioned to approve the academic program changes as presented. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Caysie Martin, NPC Director of Admissions, and Jayden Story, NPC Student Government Association (SGA) President, presented the amended SGA Constitution & Bylaws. Trustee Harrington motioned to approve the amended SGA Constitution & Bylaws as presented. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Trustee Wright asked Brad Hopper, Associate VP of Campus Operations, to provide the Building and Campus Development report. Mr. Hopper provided a PowerPoint presentation showcasing the progress made thus far on the Redbud Hall project and slides detailing the NPC campus map and buildings with their corresponding square footage and build dates.
- NPC Foundation Executive Director, Nicole Herndon, and Shannon LaDuke, NPC Foundation Assistant Director, provided the Foundation Report. Ms. Herndon provided a PowerPoint presentation showcasing an update on the NPC Night of Art event held on April 17, 2025, and the upcoming Celebration of Giving event to be held on November 6, 2025.
- President's Report - President Derden thanked everyone who attended and contributed to the Night of Art celebration. Derden shared that NPC has been having meaningful discussions with state leaders regarding the development of an outdoor recreation and natural resources program on campus. President Derden announced that former board member Joyce Craft recently received the prestigious title of Remarkable Woman of Arkansas and was recognized in Los Angeles alongside other remarkable women from across the nation. Dr. Derden reminded everyone of the upcoming NPC commencement on Saturday, May 10th. He expressed his appreciation for the recognition of NPC bachelor’s degree graduates. Derden shared that offering bachelor’s programming locally is not only a testament to NPC university partnerships but also to the dedication of NPC faculty. Additionally, these programs provide an opportunity for many NPC employees to pursue their bachelor’s degrees. With each new graduate, NPC’s university partnerships are creating ripple effects across the region—meeting workforce needs, strengthening local industries, and redefining what is possible for students in Garland County and beyond.
- New Business
- Chair Hale shared a photo of NPC music student, Christina Myers, as she sang the National Anthem at a recent high school basketball championship hosted by the city of Hot Springs.
- Chair Hale invited the trustees to attend the 2025 Region 2, DII Baseball Tournament to be hosted at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, May 7th – 11th, 2025
There was no further business.
Trustee Wright motioned to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 3:59 PM.
Jim Hale, Chair
Raymond Wright, Secretary/Treasurer