NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in a regular session on May 28, 2025, beginning at 3:30 PM. Trustees present were Mike Bush, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Joel Newburn, Lance Porter, and Renee Westfall.
Staff, faculty members, and guests present were Chuck Argo, Blake Butler, Sarah Day, Wade Derden, Jessica Ellis, Kelli Embry, Chris Fisher, Kathy Flournoy, Leane Hardin, Nicole Herndon, Brad Hopper, Rev. Jonathan Kelley, Brian Kroening, Ginger Ladehoff, Jennifer Lyons, Kat McCorkle, Mark McCorkle, Rose Milnes, Scott Post, Emily Pyland, Bill Ritter, Mary Ann Thomae, Rich Thompson, Darla Thurber, John Tucker, Gary Troutman, Lisa Walker, Tim Webb, and Megan Wheeler.
The media was notified of the meeting. Brandon Smith and Thomas Buckman with The Sentinel Record were in attendance.
Chair Jim Hale opened the meeting with a welcome at 3:30 PM.
Sarah Day took roll call. A quorum was present.
Pastor Jonathan Kelley with First Baptist Hot Springs provided the invocation.
Sarah Day introduced Gary Troutman, Great Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce President and CEO; and NPC Makerspace Coordinator, Mark McCorkle, and NPC Continuing Ed Specialist, Ginger Ladehoff, who presented a PowerPoint presentation with information on the Makerspace and Continuing Ed 2025 Summer Camp Program. Chair Hale introduced the Spotlight on Success speaker, Chris Fisher.
Items for Action
- Trustee Bush motioned to approve the April 30, 2025, minutes as presented. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Harrington motioned to approve the April 2025 financial statements as presented by Megan Wheeler, NPC Controller. Trustee Westfall seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Bush motioned to approve the April Personnel Ratifications and Addendum as presented by Kathy Flournoy, NPC Director of Human Resources. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Vice President for Administration, Kelli Embry, presented amended NPC Policy 1.300 – Mission, Vision, and Values for approval. Trustee Porter motioned to approve the amended policy as presented. Trustee Westfall seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- VP Kelli Embry presented the Strategic Plan 2025-2030 for approval. Trustee Bush motioned to approve the Strategic Plan 2025-2030 as presented. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- VP Kelli Embry presented Resolution 2025-B Tuition and Fees for approval. Trustee Westfall motioned to approve Resolution 2025-B as presented. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- VP Kelli Embry presented Resolution 2025-C FY26 Annual Budget for approval. Trustee Bush motioned to approve Resolution 2025-C as presented. Trustee Harrington seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Brad Hopper, Associate VP of Campus Operations, provided the Building and Campus Development report. Mr. Hopper provided an update on the progress being made thus far on the Redbud Hall project and the welding facility project. Other items discussed included updates on the Lab Science chiller, new Maintenance Department employees, campus landscaping, and the NPC fountain repair.
- Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Chuck Argo, provided the 2025 Graduation Report. Dr. Argo provided a PowerPoint presentation showcasing a summary of graduates and degrees earned at the NPC commencement ceremony held on May 10, 2025.
- President's Report - President Derden was encouraged by the presentation for the 2025 NPC Makerspace Summer Camps, seeing them as a means to create educational experiences for our local youth. Dr. Derden congratulated the NPC team on another successful graduation as well as the 2025 Employee Recognition Day. Derden acknowledged the 2025 Outstanding Alumni, Aundrea Crary, Outstanding Faculty, Dr. Chuck Burke, and Outstanding Staff, Rose Milnes. President Derden expressed his gratitude to everyone who worked on the newly adopted Strategic Plan and budget. Derden stated that the new budget and strategic priorities represent NPC’s shared values and vision for the future. Through this strategic plan, the college is ensured to remain fiscally strong, strengthen academic programs, enhance the student experience, support NPC’s dedicated employees, and deepen partnerships throughout the region.
- New Business
- Chair Hale announced that the executive officers would meet in special session on Wednesday, June 4th, to prepare the president’s evaluation materials.
- Chair Hale stated that the Board would meet in executive session before the next regular meeting on June 25th to discuss the president’s evaluation.
- Chair Hale stated his intention to include different departments in the monthly Items for Report. He requested that trustees notify him of topics of interest.
There was no further business.
Trustee Westfall motioned to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:10 PM.
Jim Hale, Chair
Raymond Wright, Secretary/Treasurer