Derek Thorne

The Board of Governors discussed several key items, including a review of the revisions to the FY 27 tuition and fees schedule, and the approval of the FY 27 budget proposal and the FY 27 salary increase process. An executive session was conducted for presidential evaluation and compensation, which resulted in the approval of a 6% salary increase for the President. Additionally, faculty reports highlighted preparations for commencement, assessment process improvements, and faculty training initiatives. The President provided updates on the strategic plan, various grant applications, energy usage, and successful outcomes for the LPN to RN bridge program.

This document outlines Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College's strategic initiatives for Open Educational Resources (OER). The plan focuses on reducing student textbook costs through the adoption, adaptation, and authorship of openly licensed course materials, tailored to regional needs. Key strategic priorities include expanding OER integration across general education and specific career-technical programs, such as Cyber Intelligence and Industrial Maintenance, and developing faculty expertise in open licensing through certifications and a new internal credential. The overall aim is to enhance affordability and access for students, align materials with workforce demands, and build institutional capacity in OER practices.

The board discussed and approved the FY26 Q2 financial statements and the FY27 tuition and fees schedule. Several administrative regulations and course proposals were reviewed by the board as informational items. Updates to the FY25 governance manual were also approved. Faculty reports included updates on adjunct faculty awards, assessment training, and upcoming professional development sessions. The President's report covered program revisions for the Industrial Maintenance program, land acquisition for the Heavy Equipment program, the launch of an online artificial intelligence program, and employee salary increases. Future academic and governance events were also outlined.

The Board of Governors discussed several key items, including the selection of the Harold K. Michael Award recipient, the approval of multiple AI curriculum proposals, and reports from staff and faculty regarding course assessment processes and adjunct awards. The college President provided updates on state agency budget cuts, property acquisition, funding for the Heavy Equipment program, and future program development, including a potential transition of the wind energy curriculum to an industrial maintenance program.

The 2025-2026 Catalog for Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College serves as a comprehensive guide to the institution's accessible and affordable educational opportunities across academic, technical, and workforce training programs. It details the college's mission to enrich the Potomac Highlands region through innovative programs and services, guided by values of opportunity, quality teaching, lifelong learning, integrity, partnerships, and continuous improvement. The catalog provides extensive information on admission policies, academic regulations, student services, financial aid, and specific program curricula for associate degrees and certificates.