Elisa Alvarado

The Board of Regents meeting included reports from the SGA and various committees, along with a President’s report. Presentations were given on the Presidential Scholars' trip to Portugal and Spain and the activities of the Grants Administration and Compliance Department. The Board reviewed a consent agenda containing faculty appointments, budget amendments, and several IT-related software renewals and hardware purchases. Further business included discussions on the potential online publication of the check register, a review of financial statements, and the consideration of awarding bids for food delivery services and a television transmitter. Additionally, the Board reviewed and proposed updates to the Board of Regents Online Policy Manual and conducted a closed meeting to discuss legal and security matters.

The board meeting focuses on a workshop session dedicated to the Texas Presidents and Trustees Collaborative. This event is intended for discussion purposes only, with no formal action scheduled to be taken by the board.

The Board of Regents reviewed several agenda items, including the President's report, financial statements, and an investment report for the quarter. Significant business included the authorization of funding for HSI-STEM equipment, specifically pediatric simulation tools and biology lab materials. The Board discussed and considered the renovation project for the Concert Hall Theater. Additionally, the meeting included an annual evaluation of the College President, a closed session for deliberations on appointment, employment, and confidential legal matters, and the review of budget amendments related to physical plant, academic affairs, and student financial aid.

The No Excuses 2020 Strategic Plan for Amarillo College is a five-year roadmap aimed at achieving a 70% student completion rate by 2020. This plan is built upon a 'No Excuses' philosophy and a 'Culture of Caring,' focusing on removing poverty barriers and fostering accelerated learning environments. Its key strategic goals include increasing student completion and persistence, aligning academic programs with labor market demands, enhancing student learning through high-impact practices, improving equity in degree and certificate attainment for minority students, and building robust systems for financial effectiveness.

This strategy guide details Amarillo College's 'No Excuses' Poverty Initiative, a comprehensive framework designed to remove poverty as a barrier to student success. The initiative involves a cultural transformation rooted in deep understanding of student needs through data and feedback, integrating the 'No Excuses' philosophy into all institutional decisions, fostering strong community partnerships, and establishing the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) to provide essential student support services. The overarching goal is to create an environment where all students can achieve their educational objectives.