Casey Dearcorn

The meeting included the approval of the agenda. A Mission Moment featured Abigail Jeffery, Northwest College's recipient of the Shaping Wyoming's Future award, who will be recognized in Cheyenne in February 2026. The consent agenda was approved, which included discussions regarding the Governor's recommendation for community colleges to true up to House Bill 80 due to increased enrollment, outreach efforts to K-12 districts, details on the CMVOST grant for veteran scholarships in the CDL program, and the development of an Operational Plan based on the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan. Tuition and fee revenue was noted as being down 2-3% from the budget due to enrollment changes, although the Spring semester saw an influx of 100 new students. Key discussion centered on the Capstone Report from Hanover Research, which analyzed stakeholder engagement, academic program optimization, and workforce development needs, leading to considerations for new programs like Ski Operations and potential areas like Cosmetology and Fire Science. The Board also reviewed the WACCT Legislative Guiding Principles and concerns about the Governor's budget proposal. Under New Business, course/lab fees for Nursing and Art courses were approved due to increased vendor pricing, and a $70,000 change order for the ORB Renovation project was authorized to address safety egress, functional improvements, and installing transom windows for natural light. The Board tentatively set dates for the March and April meetings, noting potential conflicts with the President's conference schedule.

The agenda for this business meeting included a Mission Moment recognizing WACCT Awards recipient Abigail Jeffery. Under the consent agenda, the board was scheduled to approve minutes from the December 8, 2025 meeting and review committee and financial reports, including the check register. Discussion items encompassed the Capstone Report from Hanover, the Legislative Session Letter and Guiding Principles, and a Policy Review for Policy 1300 Mission. New business featured proposals for course/lab fees, a Change Order Memo for the ORB Renovation, and setting dates for the March and April 2026 Board Meetings. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session dedicated to an Annual Cyber Security Discussion.

The meeting addressed several items under the Consent Agenda, including updates on high school outreach, website redesign improvements, and new spring enrollment initiatives utilizing free classes and redirected Trapper Scholarship funds. Discussions also covered collaboration with local economic development agencies and the exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, including a joint grant proposal for employee training. The Board received a report on high student completion rates for dual and concurrent enrollment courses, and confirmed the President's performance evaluation as excellent. New Business included the approval of the FY2025 Audit, the adoption of the 2026-27 and 2027-28 Academic Calendars (noting shifts to align with local districts), and the approval of a new nine-credit Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Certificate program, funded partly by an NSF grant. Policy reviews and revisions for 6510 (Physical Access Management and Control), 7110 (Security Cameras), and 6340 (Investment of Public and Non-Public Funds) were approved. Finally, the Board elected officers for the upcoming year and confirmed committee and delegate appointments.

The meeting included a presentation of the preliminary audit report for fiscal year 2025, highlighting the College's financial position and key accounting estimates. Discussions covered the ACCT Conference, focusing on dual and concurrent enrollment models, AI's role in community colleges, and building industry partnerships. A student housing survey was reviewed to assess student acclimation and challenges, with financial concerns being a prominent issue. The CCSSE report measured student engagement, revealing high satisfaction and areas for improvement. Additionally, the Big Horn Basin High School Report summarized student enrollment and performance at Northwest College, and there was a review of policy 1100 concerning the Northwest Community College District. The board also approved the Trapper Gym Floor Replacement Project.

The Northwest College Board of Trustees held a regular meeting to discuss several key topics. The meeting included a presentation on the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) program, highlighting its mission to bring global awareness to Wyoming and the economic impact of international students. The board also reviewed and approved the consent agenda. A presentation was given regarding the Level II report for the Visual and Performing Arts building, including potential cost savings and design options. Additionally, the board discussed a longitudinal enrollment report, examining enrollment trends and demographics. The board also announced a grant from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program to develop a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Technician Certification program.