Craig L. Branch

The meeting agenda includes committee meetings covering academic affairs, workforce and student success with discussions on enrollment updates and curricular revisions. There will be executive and human resources approvals, including educational foundation and human resources updates, and an interim president transition plan. Finance, facilities, and financial approvals will cover the FY25 local funds financial review, the FY26 local funds budget proposal, budget status and planning, a local college board budget resolution, and a facilities update. The agenda also includes a presentation and tour of Oberle facilities, a regular meeting with public comment, approval of minutes, committee discussions and actions, chair's report, new business including a presidential search update and FY 26 budget projections, informational items, president's report, and adjournment.

The 2018-2024 Strategic Plan for Germanna Community College outlines six college-wide goals. These goals include nurturing a culture of high performance and innovation, transforming teaching and learning, constructing an educational and career pipeline, eliminating barriers to access and success, building a sustainable infrastructure, and fostering an intentional culture of opportunity. The plan aligns with the college's mission and highlights institution-wide priorities, with each division establishing measurable objectives to track annual progress.

The Germanna Board meeting discussed discontinuing the Legal Assistance Career Studies Certificate program due to low enrollment. The board also reviewed curriculum revisions aligned with the state's Transfer Virginia initiative, including updates to history and humanities courses. A new part-time and evening option for the nursing program was approved, along with changes to the curriculum to accommodate this option. Finally, the board received an update on enrollment numbers and discussed funding opportunities through the G3 (Governor's initiative) and RED (Re-employing Virginians) programs.

This board meeting presentation focused on the college's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for problem-based learning. The plan's goals were to measure the effectiveness of problem-solving methods taught to students and to build a culture of problem-solving across the college. Data from 2018-2020 showed that students demonstrated higher-than-anticipated proficiency in problem-solving, particularly in defining problems and identifying strategies. However, reflecting on the problem-solving process proved to be the most challenging step for students. Faculty adaptations to the QEP were discussed, including a shift from a common assignment to more individualized projects. Data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (SESI) and the Noel-Levitt survey indicated improvement in student engagement and satisfaction with problem-solving emphasis in coursework and support services, although areas for growth were identified.

The Germanna Community College Board meeting included committee meetings on academic affairs, student success, executive/human resources, and finance/facilities. Discussion topics included a new pre-calculus option for the science AA&S degree, an advanced accounting career studies certificate, ITN course changes, College Everywhere, Community First Grants/REV, Great Colleges to Work For, legislative updates, GCC Foundation activities, financial approvals, a facilities report, and a QEP update. The regular board meeting covered committee discussions and actions, the president's report, the chair's report, and other business. Board goals were also discussed and approved, focusing on improving board service, supporting diversity, supporting the GCCEF and advocating for GCC, supporting workforce development, and assessing board performance.