HCTC Board of Directors | HCTC

Leadership

HCTC Board of Directors

August 22, 2024
Minutes

Present: Chair William “Bill” Weinberg, Vice Chair, Dr. Larry “Bart” Francis (TEAMS), Secretary Dew Gorman, Chuck Davidson, Amelia Prater (TEAMS), Derrick Bowling (TEAMS), Don Barnes, Charlene Fugate and Robert Higdon

Guest: Ashley Hill (student), Dr. Jennifer Lindon, Dr. Deronda Mobelini (TEAMS), Dr. Ella Strong, Donna Roark, Jackie Hall, Tony Back, Delcie Combs, Sandra McIntosh

Chair Weinberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Chair Weinberg asked for a review of the minutes from the May 6, 2024, meeting. Chuck Davidson moved, and Dew Gorman seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The motion was unanimously passed.

Action Item

Jackie Hall, Acting Chief Financial Officer presented the 2024-25 Operating Budget. Ms. Hall stated that the budget was finalized with no changes. The budget was approved June 2024. Requesting final approval. The budget was presented at the May 6, 2024, Board Meeting. Requesting the Board’s final approval of the annual operating budget, for 2024-25. No comments or questions were posed.

Chair Weinberg asked for final approval of Resolution ------------------------ Don Barnes moved; Charlene Fugate seconded the motion to approve the budget. The motion was passed unanimously.

Presidents Updates

Dr. Lindon, stated that Robert Higdon and Ashley Hill, Student Representatives attended the KCTCS Student Leadership Institute. They successfully completed the 2 and ½ days training at KCTCS. They had the opportunity to vote for Student Representative for the Board of Regents. Dr. Lindon asked Mr. Higdon and Ms. Hill to share their experience.

Robert and Ashley expressed how the presentation of the leadership training was so well done, connecting with the students and the speakers. Ashley has a double major at HCTC and plans to teach English as a 2nd language internationally. She holds the position as President of PTK, this training will be used in her role. Dr. Lindon stated that Robert and Ashley are very active in Leadership positions on campus. They have spearheaded various activities. Robert is a Student Ambassador who works closely with a number of clubs at the College.

Presidents Updates

Dr. Lindon introduced Sandy McIntosh, the new Senior Administrative Assistant in the President’s Office and Jackie Hall, Acting Vice President of is also overseeing Facilities, Maintenance & Operations

Jackie Hall, Chief Business Officer, provided updates pertaining to the budget. She stated that the 2023-24 budget is in the final stages of being closed out, with a positive fund balance. Tuition for Fall 2024 per credit hour increased from $186 to $189. Our budget thus far as of August 22, 2024, we have already

exceeded compared to this time last year, around $207,000 more. Thus far we have brought in & registered over $3 million. Keep in mind we also have 12 & 8 week & summer session that will be added to this amount. We are hoping to have a positive balance again for 2025.

Ms. Hall also provided an overview of projects that M & O has worked on this past summer, making improvements at each of our campus locations:

  • Maintenance on all grounds and parking lots
  • Updates made to JCC student lounge with plans to hopefully have new furniture
  • Lights replaced in several offices and classrooms (LED lighting)
  • Ceiling tiles, replaced in classrooms
  • Painting/modernization in several bathrooms
  • Sidewalk replacement at the Walter Prater entrance at the Tech Campus and new entrance glass doors
  • Carpet installation
  • On going renovations being made at Tech Campus
  • Electronic door system in place at all campus locations

Dr. Deronda Mobelini, Vice President of Student Services, shared enrollment status for Fall 2024 semester. The projected enrollment goal is 3,050 by census date, October 31, 2024. As of August 19, 2024, enroll is 1,803. Dr. Lindon gave an updated number of 1,954 as of August 22, 2024. There are four ATC classes to enroll and about 200 students from Perry Central that are anticipated to enroll. We have had serval enrollment events to gain enrollment: FAFSA Saturday, FAFSA tailgate events. Our Success coaches and tutors continue to visit classes to provide support and share ------------- This is successful with students! We have several student engagement activities scheduled for this fall – spirit week, and student bashes. Efforts are being made to keep students engaged and enrolled. Tuesday Night Live has have begun for the semester, with 48 in attendance at the beginning of fall semester. Tuesday Night Live provides students with extra help from Instructors, Tutors, Success Coaches and Peer Mentors.

Dr. Lindon, provided additional updates

SJR 132 is a proposal for a stand alone 4-year institution, separating HCTC from KCTCS. We would continue to have all campuses as well as the Tech campus. Bachelor’s degrees would be offered, as well as a residential component. All bachelor classes will be in person, therefore resulting in the need for residential housing. There are other options such as expanding on University Center of the Mountains, and hybrid type concepts to offer bachelor’s degrees but utilize KCTCS as a vendor with discounts with software. Ernst & Young, a paid consultant, is going to make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for the Council of Postsecondary Education on September 16th. Ernst & Young expects that we would be a stand alone and utilize KCTCS as a vendor for certain services, requiring an MOA.

Dr. Lindon informed the Board that key HCTC folks will be meeting with Family Scholar House on September 9th to look at the property that has been reviewed as possible residential site for family housing, single parent and low income students. Family Scholar House is a company that finances construction as well as manages the property. This would be family apartments with 2 bedroom/1 bathroom with laundry service. Family Scholar House pays for the tenants’ internet service. Currently,

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is working with Family Scholar House and has begun their construction process for housing.

Dr. Lindon stated that we would still be responsible to pay for site development (1 acre) and a pedestrian bridge that would go from the housing site across Highway 15 to the college. Cost as of today is between $6 & 10 million.

Dr. Lindon stated that Tammy Duff, Director of University Center of the Mountains and she have visited with the University of Pikeville, Alice Lloyd College, Eastern Kentucky University and Morehead State President’s to discuss what expanded options are available. Even with HCTC offering bachelor's degrees, we still need to have other educational opportunities with our partners. University of Pikeville was most receptive as to what programs they would like to offer. We would like Morehead State University to offer in-person Educational programs. Eastern Kentucky University has not been as willing to discuss commitment.

Dr. Lindon mentioned that she has spoken with several donors as well as the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky regarding donations for the four year proposal.

Dr. Lindon stated that SJR 179 is being spearheaded by Dr. Ryan Quarles, KCTCS President. Dr. Quarles has named 5 workgroups that include the following areas:

  • Academic Programming – creative to offer programs with an ample number of jobs when a graduate enters the workforce.
  • Student Pathways – innovations with Dual Credit (30% of our enrollment), robust workforce strategic work plan
  • Governance and Organizational Structure – reviewing options: singly accredited w/KCTCS within various campuses, mergers and consolidations, shared services (Business, HR, Marketing)
  • Affordability – Keeping classes affordable
  • Administrative – Revising various policies RIA – Realignment, Innovation and Advocacy (“seasoned Presidents” overseeing everything

Dr. Lindon stated that the discussion and decision of total mergers, total consolidation is off the table, single accreditation as well. Dr. Quarles and the Governance and Organizational Structure recommendation that HCTC will stay HCTC, meaning we wouldn’t leave KCTCS. Local economy and local identities are too important and we don’t want to lose that identity. The focus will be on increasing shared services and integration across the KCTCS system. Still a lot going on regarding this but the big questions “have been put to bed”.

Dr. Lindon next shared the 2025 Aspen Prize Submission Data Sheet, which explained why HCTC was not selected to move forward. Data showed:

  • HCTC showed improvement over time for Graduation Rate, 150% of normal time, 2017 to 2021: from 52% to 57%.
  • HCTC showed improvement over time for First-to-Second Year Retention Rate, 2017-2021: from 55% to 62%.
  • HCTC had a higher First-to-Second Year Retention & Persistence Rates in 2019-20 to 2021-22 than the national average.
  • HCTC had a lower % of credits accumulated during first-time student’s first year, Fall 2022 cohort, than the Aspen applicant average.
  • HCTC had a lower % of gateway Math and English completion during first-time student’s first year, Fall 2022 cohort, than the Aspen applicant average.
  • HCTC had a lower % of students graduating/transferring with 150% of normal time, 2019-2021 than the Aspen applicant average. In 2021, HCTC had a higher % than the national average.
  • HCTC had a lower number of completers per 100 FTE, 2018-19 to 2020-21 than the Aspen applicant average but higher number than the national average.
  • HCTC had a lower % of all students who transfer to four-year institution within 6 years of community college entry, 2020-21 to 2022-23 than both the Aspen applicant average and national average.

Dr. Lindon stated that the data shows we are doing good, but we need to work on the things that Aspen is looking for so we can be able to -------------- in the future.

Dr. Lindon next provided additional highlights from Academic & Student Services area:

  • HCTC Continues work with Corrections and Recovery. Currently 12 have enrolled this Summer in the Construction Tech Re-Entry Program. We also currently have recorded a number of GED’s obtained through HCTC Adult Ed from jails (20) and rehabs (17). 51 students trained as peer support specialists.
  • KSBTM Students at Festival, Skills USA Competition
  • Surg Tech and Sonography Updates
  • New Program – Nuclear Medicine, awarded CPE Grant, Imaging Sciences partnership with MSU
  • RPED Grant Launched
  • UCM Celebration – October 8, New UCM Director, Visits to 4-Year Partners
  • FAFSA and Express Enrollment Tailgate Events
  • 89% of HCTC Ready to Work Program Students maintained a GPA of 2.0 or above for the Spring 2024 term. This was the highest in the state!
  • HCTC Fire School is this weekend, August 23 – 25!
  • Breathitt and Knott Property Update
  • Technology Solutions Updates – Events, Windows 11 upgrades, WebEx, lab replacements, electronic forms
  • HR 3% July 1, Succession Planning, Supervisory Training, Nursing Challenge

Dr Lindon shared that the Hazard Perry County Civic Night is scheduled for August 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the First Federal Center. Chair Weinberg will be presenting the The Distinguished Service award to Donald “Happy” Mobelini and Jonathan Jett. Dr. Lindon will be presenting the Educational Leadership Award to Dr. Rayudu Polisetty and Dr. Usha Polisetty for their million dollar donation and Scott Alexander for her Leadership with HCTC and education in our region. Dr. Lindon invited all board members to attend the event.

Dr. Lindon also stated that she would like to provide each Board member a polo shirt, that they can wear to HCTC or KCTCS event. Please provide Delcie your shirt size.

Open Discussion

Don Barnes stated that he was pleased to see the renovations were done as it had been on a steady decline over the last 15 years. Things have been cleaned up, flooring has been repaired or replaced, ceiling tiles replaced, lighting improved. They should be commended for their hard work; it is an amazing transformation.

Derrick Bowling stated he would like to commend Dr. Lindon on her work for the 4-year institution, he is excited for this and is a true game changer for this entire region. She has done a lot of work and if we can make it happen it’s going to transform this area for decades to come, we’ve got to really stay after this.

Dr. Lindon added that when we get the economic impact analysis (Life path should have that finished soon) that should really tell the story. This study is being done in addition to Ernst & Young, that was not part of their study.

Chair Weinberg asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Don Barnes moved, and Dew Gorman seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted.