Hazard Community and Technical College Board of Directors Minutes (February 22, 2024) | HCTC

Leadership

Hazard Community and Technical College Board of Directors Minutes (February 22, 2024)

Present: Chair William (Bill) Weinberg, Don Barnes, Charlene Fugate, Derrick Bowling, Robert Higdon, Amelia Prater, Dew Gorman, & Dr. Larry (Bart) Francis

Guests: Dr. Jennifer Lindon, Dr. Deronda Mobelini, Dr. Ella Strong, Donna Roark, Delcie Combs, Carla Seals, & Alicia Lucas

The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served.

After dinner, the meeting was called to order by Chair Weinberg promptly at 6:00 PM.

Derrick Bowling approved the minutes from the Board of Directors meeting held on November 9, 2023, and Don Barnes seconded the motion. Motion passed.

ACTION ITEMS

Connie Watts, Chief Business Services Officer/CFO presented Resolution 1-2024 to the Board of Directors for approval by vote.

The 2024-2025 Action Item highlighted needs for the next academic year, such as new positions and/or equipment, that the college currently has no funds in which to cover the needed expenditures.

In November 2023, Connie sent budget request needs forms to all HCTC department heads to complete, by ranking each need as a I, II, or III, with I being most needed and III being least needed. After completion, the needs lists were then mailed to college representatives and PLT to prioritize.

Funds were separated accordingly – Perkins Grant was kept separate from other monies. Then, there are both recurring (which has funding on a yearly basis. For example, a chemistry instructor) and non-recurring needs (which is constituted as a one-time expense that HCTC attempts to cover without raising tuition costs. For example, a copier that needs to be replaced).

Chair Weinberg asked the Board to accept the Budget. The motion was moved by Derrick Bowling and seconded by Charlene Fugate. Motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES

Austin Barnett, HCTC Student, 4th Semester Nursing Student and scholarship recipient.

Austin Barnett explained his paid externship at Hazard ARH Hospital to the Board. The externships are managed through the HCTC Advancement Office and may include tuition, books, job contracts, etc. Mr. Barnett explained how the paid externship gave him valuable on-the-job experience, as well as some financial peace of mind, allowing him to focus more on his studies.

Carla Seals, Dean of Advancement-

  • $943,619 were raised through fundraising during the 2023 fiscal year, including the James Graham Brown Foundation for the Success Zone, $194, 923 for Lees and Wolfe County Campus projects, $77,954 for scholarships, and $75,000 for the Student Emergency Fund/Flood Relief
  • Last year, the Telford Foundation provided $114,470 for furniture, equipment, solar tables, and CNA Scholarships at both Lees and Wolfe County campuses. $50,000 from the Steele-Reese Foundation provided much needed scholarships for students in technical programs.
  • KCTCS has scheduled its first-ever system-wide Giving Day on April 25, 2024, in honor of the 25th anniversary of KCTCS. The focus of the campaign will be to increase the number of new donors, with an emphasis on alumni.
  • HCTC will hold a Golf Scramble on May 18, 2024. Last year’s scramble cleared $22,325 used for technical scholarships. Seven students were recipients of these scholarships.
  • There are currently 106 Scholarships/Endowments that students can apply for at HCTC.

Dr. Deronda Mobelini, Chief Student Affairs Officer-

  • 2,883 was HCTCs target number of students for the Spring 2024 semester, so the college is coming up shy in terms of both number of students and semester hours.
  • HCTC did however exceed the Fall 2022/Spring 2023 persistence rates.
  • In comparison to Southeast and Big Sandy Community and Technical Colleges, HCTC is enrolling more students than either other school, but their students are enrolling in more hours.

Ella Strong, Chief Academic Officer-

  • In HCTCs Re-Entry Program taught by Ray Fletcher, Jr., 12 graduates housed at Ky. River Regional Jail were granted certificates in Basic Carpentry. Four plan to continue in the program. Six new students have enrolled in the program, so the total number of students enrolled is 6 to 12.

Dr. Jennifer Lindon, President/CEO-

  • Southeast Community & Technical College President, Dr. Vic Adams, officially retired. Dr. Lindon will continue to fill this vacancy for the remainder of the Spring 2024 semester.
  • The HCTC Business Office went through an internal audit, and there were zero findings.
  • During the SACS-COC 5th Year Visit to HCTC, there were no findings.
  • The HCTC Nursing Department had its first-ever visit from ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and was recommended for accreditation.
  • KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Quarles will be visiting HCTC campuses on March 12th and 13th, 2024.
  • The system wants institutions to be more responsive to employers.
  • Huron Update – is looking to create efficiencies within the system. For example, a webmaster is shared between Hazard, Southeast, and Big Sandy. Many employees will receive new pay bands, titles, and cost of living adjustments, etc.
  • Aspen Prize – HCTC did not move onto the next level in the competition.
  • Skills USA – a competition will be held at the Tech Campus, tomorrow, February 23, 2024.
  • UCM Partnership – 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between HCTC and UCM
  • The CPE Diversity Visit will be on March 6th. This is during Spring Break.
  • SJR 132 has been filed by Senator Robert Stivers to make HCTC a 4-year public university.
  • Wolfe County - $2.5 million has already been secured, with an additional $1.5 million in the works to be secured. Multiple companies are either involved or on-board, including the health department and Wolfe Co. Fire & Rescue.
  • Title III Grant has been secured.

Chair Weinberg asked to go into Executive Session. The motion was moved by Derrick Bowling and Charlene Fugate seconded. Motion passed.

Executive Discussion

Election of Board of Directors Members.

Chair Weinberg asked to go out of Executive Session. The motion was moved by Dew Gorman and Charlene Fugate seconded.

Chair Weinberg announced that he was nominated to remain as Chair, Dr. Bart Francis, Vice Chair and Dew Gorman, Secretary.

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Lees College Campus.

Chair Weinberg asked to adjourn the meeting. Bart Francis made the motion to accept. Dew Gorman seconded.

Respectfully submitted.

Dew Gorman, Board Secretary

Forwarded by Alicia Lucas, Sr. Administrative Assistant to the Board