FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
August 24, 2016
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ADDRESSES NPC BOARD
Hot Springs, Arkansas – The National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, August 24. Items for report included updates on student life events, student government association projects, and workforce training.
The Board welcomed new hires Donald Caudill, Higher Ed Program Manager; Kathy Edwards, Institutional Services Assistant; Kurtis Markish, Purchasing Specialist; Bruce Hankins, Controller; Ferris Allen, Music Instructor; Dr. Judith Bride, Chemistry Instructor; Kevin Day, High School Criminal Justice Instructor; Timothy Jackson, EMT Clinical Director; Ashley Simmons, Practical Nursing Instructor; Lana Taliaferro, Art Instructor; and Dr. Christopher Thrasher, History Instructor.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Jerry Thomas gave a brief enrollment update. He shared that the College’s enrollment numbers look promising and that final enrollment counts will be provided at the September board meeting after the official 11th day count, which is reported to the state. He noted the recruitment staff has been hard at work reaching out to strategic partners, and increasing outreach efforts and integrated marketing strategies in cooperation with the External Relations department. He also shared that the Student Support Services Talent Search grant was recently renewed for nearly $1.4 million and an additional five years. Talent Search received a perfect score on their application.
Jason Hudnell, Dean of Enrollment provided an update of student life events. Hudnell
shared that more than 140 submissions have been received so far for the new mascot.
The committee will accept ideas online at www.np.edu/mascot until midnight August 31. A mascot selection committee will narrow down the list
to three and the student body, faculty and staff will be asked to vote for their favorite
beginning September 23. The new mascot will be unveiled during a pep rally October
26.
Michelle Godwin, Student Government Association (SGA) President updated the Board
on the SGA agenda for the year. SGA officers meet over the summer to develop a budget,
calendar and plan of action for the academic year. This year’s officer team has placed
an emphasis on student inclusion and engagement and have aligned their budget to prioritize
initiatives that support that goal. In addition to SGA’s signature annual events,
they plan to introduce a student led newsletter, host town hall events for students,
increase collaboration among student organizations, and increase out of class interaction
among students. Godwin expressed appreciation to the student affairs team for their
efforts to make student engagement a priority.
Pictured above: SGA President, Michelle Godwin updating the Board of Trustees on the SGA agenda for the year.
Vice President for Workforce and Strategic Initiatives, Kelli Albrecht updated the board on Community and Corporate Training events. The team trained 250 individuals over the summer for local business and industry, and 100 courses are scheduled for the fall semester. She noted that the pharmacy technician training was very successful with 19 graduates. NPC will roll out the training in other areas of the state beginning in November, including Rogers and Little Rock in a joint partnership with Northwest Arkansas Community College and Pulaski Technical College. Albrecht shared that renovations will begin on the Innovative Technologies Center building located on Albert Pike Road next week. Fall classes for drones and Arduino software will take place on campus this fall.
NPC’s Childcare Aware grant was recently expanded to include three additional counties. The grant serves a total of 13 counties in the southwest region. The grant budget was increased by $100,000 annually.
Dr. John Hogan, President, concluded the meeting with the president’s report. He commended SGA President, Michelle Godwin and the SGA officers for their work. He noted that SGA’s initiatives directly align with the campus strategic plan and budget priorities. Hogan mentioned that plans were in place to rename the Math Science building, “Legacy Hall.” The building will be used to commemorate past board members as well as faculty and staff retirees. A dedication will take place October 13.
