Jennifer Cummings-Tutmaher

This document discusses the critical need for workforce training programs in Northern Pennsylvania. It highlights how "the college" addresses this need by offering various training programs and two-year degrees. The development of these programs is driven by industry input, advisory committees, and community requests, ensuring they are customized, responsive, and continuously evolving to meet regional workforce demands.

The document, a video transcript, presents the vision for NPRC as a pioneering model for affordable and accessible higher education in rural areas, particularly in Pennsylvania. This vision focuses on providing convenient college opportunities for working adults and those with significant responsibilities, aiming to prevent the migration of talent by delivering live instruction to underserved communities. The strategic approach emphasizes cost-effectiveness through the utilization of existing facilities to maintain lower overhead, intending to serve as a replicable model for other rural regions.

This document details the historical development and ongoing accreditation journey of the regional college, referred to as NPRC. It outlines its establishment following 2012 legislation, achieving college status in 2017, and gaining degree-granting authority in 2019. The primary focus is the multi-year process towards regional accreditation, including the completion of pre-candidacy and the pursuit of candidacy, with an ultimate goal of achieving full accreditation within five years after candidacy to enhance institutional standing and student opportunities.

The document details the inaugural commencement ceremony for the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College. Key discussions involved welcoming graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021, recognizing their achievements, and acknowledging the support of family, friends, faculty, and staff. A student speaker, Jacob Meyer, shared his personal story of perseverance and how NPRC helped him achieve his goals, including being the first in his family to graduate college. The commencement speaker, Senator Joseph Scarnati, emphasized the importance of hard work, dedication, and investing in others, highlighting NPRC's role in providing affordable education in rural Pennsylvania. The event concluded with the official conferral of degrees and certificates.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. Breakout sessions were held to discuss board survey results, and action items from these discussions will be shared at a future meeting. New board members were approved, and resolutions recognizing the service of retiring trustees were read. The board also approved several policies, including those related to planning, budget and improvement assessment, workforce instructor code of conduct, and college-issued credit cards. The 2026 BOT monthly meeting calendar was approved, and a self-assessment was reviewed to determine goals for the next year. Additionally, students shared their experiences with NPRC in a roundtable discussion. The board also approved the August 2025 financial statements, the 2025-2026 budget restatement, and the five-year rolling budget.