Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
Hot Springs, Arkansas – The National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, June 22. Items for report included the County’s hazard mitigation plan, updates regarding the facilities master plan, and announcement of the search for a new mascot.
The Board welcomed new hires Ana Hunt, Registrar; Gary Quintanilla and Mary Webb, Institutional Services Assistants; and Tim Ward, retail specialist for the bookstore. Vice President for Finance and Administration, Steve Trusty announced Brian Kroening, accounting supervisor will serve as Interim Controller for the College until the position is filled.
Janet Brewer, Vice President for Human Resources presented the Garland County Hazard Mitigation Plan for adoption. The Garland County Quorum court recently adopted the plan, which includes strategies to reduce human cost and property damage caused by natural disasters, and investigates safe rooms, better drainage and more responsive policies. The updated plan allows the county to apply for federal grants that strengthen buildings and infrastructure against natural disasters.
In order to be eligible for the grants, the county’s seven school districts, four incorporated areas and NPC have to adopt the plan before the August deadline. Brewer shared her gratitude for the partnership with the Garland County Department of Emergency Management (GCDEM). She said, “The staff at the GCDEM are true professionals. We value our relationship with them and their vision for how we can create a safer environment for our students and the community.” The Board adopted the plan unanimously.
Program Coordinator, William Polk requested authorization to lease space for the Innovative Technologies Center (ITC). The College was awarded a $95,000 Regional Workforce Planning grant last year from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE). The College has applied for the ADHE Regional Workforce Implementation Grant which will allow for continued development of the ITC.
In a Building and Campus Development Committee meeting before the regular board meeting, Polk shared the goals for the grant which includes aligning academic programs to meet the needs of local and regional employers, preparing a workforce to be competitive in the 21st century, expanding credit programs in Aerospace and Industrial Technology, growing partnerships and transfer opportunities with universities, and providing a maker space and experiential opportunities for K-12 students. Plans for the ITC include training in additive and subtractive manufacturing (3D printing and CNC machining), sensors and instrumentation, computer aided design, and automation. The Board approved the lease agreement, contingent upon approval of the implementation grant.
Jason Hudnell, Dean of Enrollment provided an update of student recruitment. Hudnell outlined recruiting events and activities that would take place during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. He shared the two main goals in recruiting are communicating reasons to attend NPC and establishing relationships with key stakeholders.
Hudnell ended his report by announcing the College’s search for a new mascot. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are encouraged to participate by submitting mascot ideas at www.np.edu/mascot by midnight, August 31. Mascot submissions should reflect NPC’s brand personality, consider the culture and history of the College and community, be easily represented in print, online, and in College materials, and be accompanied by a name and costume idea. All submissions will undergo an initial review by the NPC Mascot Selection Team. The top 10 finalists that best embody the spirit of NPC will be selected to move forward in the selection process. In round two, the NPC Student Government Association and administration will narrow the selection to up to three mascot concepts, to be announced during NPC Spirit Week September 19-23. The final mascot concepts will be reviewed and voted on by the NPC student body, faculty, and staff, and approved by the NPC president. Voting will close Friday, September 30 at noon. The mascot will be announced Wednesday, October 26, during a noon pep rally in the NPC gymnasium.
John Tucker, Staff Senate Chair and Darla Thurber, Past-chair provided an end of year report to the Board. Thurber provided a brief history of the Staff Senate and their purpose to encourage a positive work environment and campus culture, to support the educational and vocational growth of the staff, and to promote staff involvement in furthering the college’s mission to the students and to the community.
Tucker highlighted the work of the Staff Senate, which included the creation of NPC Spirit Week, pancake breakfasts during finals week for students and staff, the NPC Talent Showcase, among others. The senate pledged 100 percent participation in the NPC Foundation’s Gift of Education campaign and challenged the Faculty Senate to do the same. The Staff Senate has also partnered with Jackson House in an effort to promote community involvement.
Brad Hopper, Director of Physical Plant shared an update of the facilities master plan. The Building and Campus Development Committee plans to meet with the architect next week to explore ways to make the campus more functional for students and visitors, create updated flexible classroom space, improve navigation between buildings, create a space for students to take care of business efficiently, and address some safety issues.
Hopper reported the committee is exploring the feasibility of creating a new gateway to campus that will improve safety, avoiding the truck traffic of the industrial park, improve routes for high school bus traffic, and better access for emergency vehicles when needed.
A new Learning Commons facility is being considered to create a “one-stop-shop” for students’ needs including consolidated student services, study areas and flexible learning spaces for students. Hopper shared that the College needs larger classrooms that are adaptable to technological changes and provide faculty with space to incorporate creative instructional methods. The Learning Commons could potentially include a multipurpose venue for campus events, trainings and conferences.
The development of an open courtyard linking existing structure with future expansions would merge the two sides of campus into a more cohesive space that is easier for students to navigate. It would provide safer and more direct walking routes from classroom buildings, and include outdoor gathering and study areas. This design will relocate parking to the outer edges of campus, increasing safety for pedestrians and drivers. The plan will also study the feasibility of an industrial training facility to house workforce programs and the ITC, and develop budgetary costs for each phase.
Dr. John Hogan, President, concluded the meeting with the president’s report. He commended the student affairs team for the work they are doing to reach out to prospective students. He noted that we have put a lot of thought into the master plan and upcoming capital projects. He said the progress and growth we are presenting is vital to the future growth of the College and the community because we need our young people to attend college here, start their careers and businesses in Hot Springs, and help grow the economy here.
The Board called an executive session following the meeting to complete Dr. Hogan’s annual employment evaluation and review his contract. Upon conclusion, the Board voted to extend his three-year rolling contract for another year and increase his salary by 2.8 percent.
Board President, Gene Parker said this decision puts NPC in the “best possible position for the future, adding the College kept tuition flat and has maintained a fiscally conservative budget while investing in new programs and transfer initiatives.” He noted that he is “proud of the direction Dr. Hogan is leading the College and excited about his vision for the future.”
Hogan commented, “I appreciate the support of the Board to continue the work we are doing to support the mission of learning and student success. We hope to create more opportunities for our youth to grow and learn right here in Hot Springs and invest in our community.”
