HCTC Board of Directors
August 21, 2025
Minutes
Present: Chair William “Bill” Weinberg, Vice Chair Dr. Larry “Bart” Francis (TEAMS), Secretary Dew Gorman, Derrick Bowling (TEAMS), Chuck Davidson, Amelia Prater, Dr. Mansoor Mahmood, Don Barnes for award, Gary Smith, Charlene Fugate, Brian Blair
Guests: Dr. Jennifer Lindon, Dr. Deronda Mobelini, Dr. Ella Strong, Jackie Hall, Donna Roark, Carla Seals, Jessica Barger
Chair William “Bill” Weinberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Gary Smith is introduced as the new faculty representative to the board, replacing outgoing Board Representative Don Barnes. Carla Seals swears in Mr. Smith. Chair Weinberg presents Mr. Barnes with an award for his service to the Board of Directors.
First action of business is the approval of the minutes of the August 21st meeting. After reviewing the minutes of the board, Chair William “Bill” Weinberg entertained a motion to approve the previous board minutes. Chuck Davidson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Lawrence “Dew” Gorman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously without edits or discussion.
Chair Weinberg moves on to the next agenda item: Final Allocations of the Budget Request.
Annual Budget Request: Jackie Hall, Chief Business Officer, discussed the 2025-2026 annual budget request. The KCTCS Board of Regents approved the budget request for the fiscal year in June 2025. No changes to the previous budget submitted to the board in May 2025. CBO Hall requested final approval of the budget from the board.
Chair Weinberg submits an action to the board to approve the finalized budget and directs Dr. Lindon to submit the budget to the president of KCTCS on behalf of HCTC and the Board of Directors. Mr. Davidson makes the motion to approve. Mr. Gorman seconds the motion. No discussion. The motion passes unanimously.
Dr. Lindon presents a kickoff presentation on the 2025-2026 academic year. Dr. Lindon acknowledges Brian Blair as the outgoing student representative to the Board of Directors. Students will vote on a new representative to begin serving at the November Board of Directors meeting.
Dr. Lindon gives the floor to CBO Hall for financial updates. CBO Hall begins discussion with a tuition increase approved by KCTCS. Tuition increased by $6 per credit hour, to $195 per credit hour.
She goes on to discuss the KCTCS Board of Regents approval of cost of living and compression adjustments for employees. Compression adjustments are based on years of service. For employees who have served for less than 5 years, there is no compression increase. For those who have served for at least 5 years but less than 10 years, there is a 1% increase. For those who have served for at least 10 years but less than 15 years, there is a 1.5% increase. For those who have served for at least 15 years but less than 20 years, there is a 2% increase. For those who served for 20 years or more, there is a 2.5% increase. For those who have served for more than 20 years, total salary increases would have equaled 4.5% with the cost-of-living adjustment and the compression adjustment. Dr. Lindon mentions that over half the employees at HCTC received the maximum increase due to the longevity of HCTC’s employees.
CBO Hall points out that HCTC has exceeded Fall and Spring revenue estimates. She discussed the tuition revenue to date, which does not include sessions occurring later in the semester. She believes HCTC will meet its revenue estimates for the period.
A general discussion about the impact of the current federal regulations and the financial implications of scholarships, grants, Pell, and other financial aid programs took place. Dr. Lindon believes most of HCTC’s scholarships should not be impacted by federal changes as they are mostly funded by private individuals and businesses. The impact of federal grants on employees was discussed. HCTC has many employees who are paid through grant programs. Any adverse changes to those funds could impact employees. Changes in Adult Education have occurred as a result of federal funding concerns. These include moving employees to 11-month contracts and shifting employees’ roles within Adult Ed. No services should be impacted by these changes. Charlene Fugate mentioned that Adult Ed may be on the state and federal funding chopping block, but that is still unknown at this time.
Dr. Lindon proceeds with her presentation covering the highlights of what is going on at HCTC. Over Summer, many activities occurred. FEMA and the SBA are still on campus in the First Federal Center (FFC). The Boys and Girls Club are also in FFC, having moved from a classroom in the Jolly Classroom Center. This afterschool program is continuing for local schools in the cafeteria of FFC. Upward Bound was renewed and continues to serve students in our service region. The Challenger Center had many summer programs, serving numerous students of various ages. There have been multiple maintenance and technology projects throughout HCTC’s campuses. Summer I and II courses were offered, helping HCTC generate revenue through the June 30 fiscal year end. Peer Mentors and Heavy Equipment students went to Versailles to promote HCTC at the KCTCS System.
Dr. Lindon discusses academic and workforce updates. HCTC, in partnership with the Perry County Fiscal Court, is starting a Culinary Arts program as part of the Leatherwood Wildcat Coal Lodge project. The facility will have two kitchens—one for teaching and learning and the other for serving patrons. HCTC will target students in recovery to participate in this program. The prison education program (PEP) has been awarded Pell grants. The PEP will offer more classes in the Fall and Spring semesters with this financial aid award. HCTC’s re-entry construction program is continuing and looking to start a female cohort soon of six to eight women. A full time FYE instructor was hired. FYE has made significant improvements in success rates recently, seeing an increase of 11%, moving into 6th place in the system, and seeing only a 3% withdrawal rate from the course. Work continues the SACSCOC 10-year reaffirmation. Dr. Lindon discussed the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and its involvement in reaffirmation and educational quality. Work continues on a new strategic plan. This is aligned with KCTCS at the system level, and will be presented to the Board in the spring. The Nuclear Medicine program has begun. Fire School will happen this weekend with an estimated 500 firefighters. Kentucky Opioid Abatement money has been acquired to fund a mobile training unit for re-entry and recovery students. The mobile unit is currently out for bid. Once received, the mobile unit will be sent out to jails and recovery centers to promote and support recovery programs.
Dr. Lindon discussed facilities changes and updates happening across HCTC. Several major construction projects are taking place at the Hwy 15, Jackson, and the Technical campuses, The Highway 15 campus has HVAC, roof, skylight, and student lounge projects. The Lees campus has projects at the Smith building and Wethington room, and ADA project proposals submitted for the capital project plan. KCTCS believes HCTC will receive some funds for updating the Lees campus to comply with ADA requirements. The Technical campus has construction updates for the IEB and HEO buildings, roof updates, and HVAC updates. The landslide at Tech campus is still causing some issues but it is being addressed. It is estimated to cost about $500,000 for the correction. There are HVAC issues at Leslie County but that building is owned by the city. Lineman and CDL are at the Leslie center. Wolfe county has some issues with construction requiring the building to be moved and new surveys completed.
Dr. Lindon provides an update on student services, enrollment numbers, and various services offered at the college to students. Peer mentors and the Success Zone are helping students be more successful. Cathy Branson, former director of Library Services, has retired and been replaced by Evelyn “Beth” Hudson, the former reference librarian for HCTC. There have been some changes to the reporting structures within the college that now places the library and student services in the same division. This should allow students to be better served by the realignment of library services, the Success Zone, Peer Mentors, and other support services under the same division. A new partnership with LifeWorks has been developed. This service helps focus on students with autism. Jennifer Riley is the LifeWorks employee on campus who assists with this program.
Dr. Deronda Mobelini stated HCTC has five Peer Mentors. She discussed the connections students are making with retention services, Success Coaches, and Peer Mentors. We are seeing students reach out to these employees and student workers which is helping to correct and prevent barriers to student success. The Technical campus has a dedicated Peer Mentor to help support those students. Financial literacy counseling is a new initiative for students. Several people help support this initiative to help students understand the financial implications of attending college. 243 new students marked as needing counseling. 176 have completed the counseling with this new pilot program. Dr. Mobelini mentions some new hires within student services. Johny Morgan hired as a Success Coach. Ashley White is an HCTC student who has been hired in Records to fill a vacancy in that department. Kyle Brewer and Tracy Spencer were hired in admissions.
Dr. Lindon mentioned a change to the bookstore with BibliU replacing Barnes and Noble as our campus bookstore operator. Dr. Lindon, the UCM Director, and the Education Coordinator attended a transfer event at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Transfer Center. This visit should help spur ideas to improve transferability and the partnerships we have through the UCM. This also aligns with state and CPE initiatives to provide higher degree opportunities in Eastern Kentucky. Discussions at the state level are still going on as to whether HCTC will become a four-year college or be able to have improved pathways to higher degree opportunities. HCTC is continuing its Imaging Sciences degree with Morehead State University. We are continuing to work with KSU on an agroforestry offering. More information should be available at the next meeting.
Dr. Lindon discussed changes in technology solutions and how construction is impacting those. There are KCCTS task teams on AI and how to best utilize it in the classroom. New security cameras at the Hazard and Lees campuses, costing around $50,000, have been installed to help with campus security. These cameras have AI technology which helps improve security.
HCTC was recognized at the Hazard-Perry County Civic Night and received an education award for its work in providing and promoting education in our service area.
Chair Weinberg begins an open discussion period.
Dr. Lindon mentioned HCTC’s Facebook page and how all student clubs are welcome to start, join, and participate in clubs. Students are also welcome to start a new club if they follow the proper channels. The LGBTQ Club made a post that has stirred some conversation. However, the college has not used any funds for that club. Student clubs are not college events. HCTC follows all KCTCS legal advice and state and federal laws. The Board was made aware of comments that may appear in some posts, but Dr. Lindon reminded the Board about student clubs. There was a mention about aviation hangars. There is some requirement of having a sprinkler system in the hangar, but a question was raised about the hangar building and whether a sprinkler system is required. The aviation maintenance program that HCTC is looking at involves several of these concerns. The Board discussed water pressure systems, FAA regulations, and other water tank systems that would help move aviation maintenance forward if HCTC pursues that program.
Next meeting is November 6. Chair Weinberg will be stepping down. New appointments will need to be addressed then.
Chair Weinberg entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Gorman made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Davidson seconded the motion. Adjournment unanimously approved.
Meeting adjourned.
