Deanna Blevins

The board meeting included citizen participation where one speaker addressed the need for clear, intentional communication plans regarding changes to student services and instructional initiatives, citing issues during the TIAA situation and recent positive outcomes from ADA training sessions. Another participant offered consultation on the EV project and expressed concerns about reports indicating declining intelligence in Gen Z due to screen time, advocating for centers focused on blue-collar trades like manufacturing. Special reports included the mission moment highlighting the largest non-trades revenue-generating conference held by Dominoes IT staff, and an update on the Reconnect program noting WCC's recognition as Michigan's number one community college for completion and number one Reconnect institution. Personnel recommendations were reviewed, including granting commendation for 31 years of service and clarifying the replacement for a non-instructor full-time hire in instruction.

The event was the 20th annual recognition of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, featuring a speaker, brunch, and guest musician. The proceedings included honoring the team that organized the event, including the executive director and coordinator of academic access and success. Recognition was also extended to members of the Board of Trustees for their support. Key discussions centered on Dr. King's legacy, the theme "Mission Possible Number Two: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way," and the importance of justice, courage, and responsibility. Two Justice in Action Awards were presented: one to Andrew Mongia, Director of Financial Aid, for exceptional dedication to student empowerment and equitable access to higher education, and the second to the WCC Accessibility Task Force for shifting accessibility from a reactive fix to a shared campus practice, focusing on student dignity and sustainable instructional practices. The keynote speaker, Hill Harper, delivered remarks focusing on Dr. King's call to action, distinguishing between protection from fear and living from the heart, and emphasizing that history bends towards the courageous rather than the clever or powerful.

The meeting included approving the agenda, followed by recessing to a closed session to discuss collective bargaining strategy, and later reconvening. Key discussions during the open session involved public comments regarding the Pledge of Allegiance, special reports highlighting the college's mission and appreciation for grounds and facilities staff following a recent snowstorm, and a detailed recap of the auto show presence. The auto show recap emphasized the college's leadership in mobility, showcasing 12 electric vehicles and detailing support received from grants and state officials. A specific project involving the retrofit of a 1974 Volkswagen bus into an electric vehicle, in partnership across transportation disciplines, was also announced.

The meeting included a public comment segment where a speaker raised concerns about a proposed data center by U of M in Ipsy Township, requesting reconsideration of the location due to its proximity to natural areas and suggesting an industrialized site instead. Following public comment, the Board received a Facilities Overview presentation detailing infrastructure modernization goals, campus footprint statistics (291 total acres, 129 developed), land zoning classifications, and buildable land estimates (approximately 25 acres). The overview covered recent landscape and grounds improvements, including parking lot reconfigurations (Lots 7, 6, 4, and 3), stormwater and safety upgrades, and the installation of EV charging stations. The discussion also addressed building portfolio data, noting 21 structures totaling 1.2 million square feet with an average age of 35 years. The Facilities Condition Index (FCI) was reviewed, noting that the Maintenance Building's poor rating is expected to improve following renovations. Recent building renovations discussed included the Morris Lawrence building, the Great Lakes building expansion, and the storage/receiving building/maintenance garage. The presentation concluded with a detailed look at the proactive plan maintenance program, including partnerships for roof asset management (with TMCO), building automation (Seimens), boiler management (DJ Connelly), chiller management (Train), water quality (HOH), fire systems (John Controls), generator maintenance (Cummings), and elevator maintenance (COA).

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and the minutes of the July 22nd, 2025 meeting. A citizen addressed the board regarding the impact of unrealized gain property taxes and a lawsuit in Texas. Key discussion points included operational concerns related to the full rollout of the Canvas messaging system, which is incorrectly marking faculty announcements as external email, and the challenges posed by new system implementations (Canvas, Target X, faculty dashboards) and the use of AI tools impacting academic integrity. The board also heard a mission moment highlighting the success of the entrepreneurship center, exemplified by a local business launch. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to introducing seventeen new faculty members across various disciplines, including life science, nursing, welding, Arabic/French, English, economics, environmental science, radiography, communications, accounting, health science, and math.