Christi Brown

Northshore Technical Community College's strategic plan emphasizes its mission to provide quality workforce training and transfer opportunities, awarding associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The plan outlines diverse programs including university transfer pathways, workforce training, and adult education. It highlights accomplishments in student enrollment, regional impact, military and veteran support, scholarships, and STEM/STEAM outreach, aiming to prepare students for high-demand careers with financial accessibility.

The meeting commenced with a college update covering the status of capital outlay projects, review of a new AI phone system, and discussions regarding increased enrollment and future financial opportunities. New business included the unanimous approval of revisions to the Grade Policy, the Faculty Rank & Promotion Policy, the new Antisemitism Policy, revisions to the Campus Free Expression Policy, and revisions to the Social Media Policy. Discussions addressed the status of the College-wide Software Review, an upcoming SACSCOC onsite visit concerning the Prison Education Program, the tabling of the Strategic Plan review, support for a recommendation to inactivate student email accounts one year after the last semester of attendance, and the need to develop an AI Policy following an Executive Order, with a workgroup established to present a draft at the next meeting. The committee was also informed of a new professional development opportunity in Google AI Essentials for all employees.

The meeting included updates from Jim Carlson regarding upcoming Executive Committee and College Leadership Committee retreats, and reminders about Outstanding Award Nominations deadlines and campus closures for the July 4th Holiday. In new business, the Committee discussed the process for approving the 2025-2026 Academic Year Minimum Class-Size and unanimously approved setting the minimum class size for academic courses at 12 students and technical courses at 10 students for AY 2024-2025. A discussion item concerning the College-wide Software Review was tabled. Additionally, Marc Chauvin reviewed changes to the 2025-2026 Tuition and Mandatory Fees approved by the LCTCS Board, including fee caps, noting that new schedules have been posted.

The meeting included a college update covering campus security, strategies for improving student retention, and impacts of recent legislation. Key business involved the unanimous approval of revisions to the Faculty Workload Policy. Additionally, the Committee unanimously approved new policies, including the Financial Aid Verification Policy and the Financial Aid Code of Conduct, as well as revisions to the SAP Policy and the Student Grievance Policy, and the Campus Safety & Hazing Policy. Discussions covered college-wide software review regarding accessibility requirements, funding sources for replacing old computers, review of the 2026-2027 Academic Calendars, the SACSCOC Prison Education Program onsite visit schedule, HEO Program Equipment usage, and phase one of the new employee orientation program.

The meeting involved several revisions to academic programs, specifically the Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology, Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts (Louisiana Transfer), Associate of Science (Louisiana Transfer), and Associate of Science in Nursing, all related to the Quality Enhancement Plan and the new NTCC 1000 course. All these revisions were tabled pending review by the Curriculum Committee. The 2025-2026 Academic Calendars were reviewed and subsequently approved. Discussion topics included a recap of a successful SACSCOC reaffirmation visit with positive feedback on the Quality Enhancement Plan, a proposal to move oversight of the College's Equity Plan to this Committee, an update on the submission of the substantive change for the Prison Education Program designation, notification that CourseDog Training is available, and an update on ConexEd.