Jin H. Choi

The board meeting agenda included an audit committee meeting to review the annual single audit, personnel action confirmations for new hires and separations, and sole source contract awards for HVAC and energy management system maintenance. The board also reviewed an award of contract for shuttle bus transportation services, proposed a new policy regarding student travel, and considered the retirement of several legacy policies related to out-of-county instruction and field trips.

The board meeting addressed several key agenda items, including the confirmation of personnel actions for January and February 2026, ratification of graduates receiving associate degrees and certificates, and the adoption of the fiscal year 2027 meeting schedule. The Board approved a sole source contract for Workday enterprise software, appointed construction managers for the Student Services Center at the Germantown campus and the Macklin Tower Library renovation at the Rockville campus, and awarded a contract for a promotional products online store. Furthermore, the Board adopted modifications to policies regarding the College Investment Program, the recruitment and appointment of employees, and the use of College facilities.

The meeting agenda encompassed a variety of administrative, financial, and policy-related items. Key topics included the review of the President's reports, confirmation of personnel actions, ratification of associate degree and certificate conferrals for graduates, and the approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 board meeting schedule. The Board addressed several contract awards, including a sole source subscription renewal for enterprise resource planning software, and competitive contracts for construction management services at the Germantown and Rockville campuses, as well as a promotional products online store. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved modifications to several policies concerning college investments, recruitment and onboarding practices, and the use of college facilities.

The Board of Trustees meeting addressed numerous resolutions. Key actions included confirming personnel actions, which covered staff and faculty employments and separations occurring between December 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. The Board recognized several retirements, including granting emeriti status and Bronze Medallions to Dr. Sue Haddad, Dr. Tonya Mason, Dr. Timothy Watt, and posthumously to Mr. Christopher M. Novak. Awards of Emeriti Status were also granted to a cohort of faculty and administrators retiring between 2020 and 2025. The Board considered and authorized honorary degrees for the 2025-2026 academic year. Furthermore, resolutions authorized amendments to the College's 403(b) and 457(b) Retirement Plans to include a designated Roth contribution feature to comply with the SECURE 2.0 Act. Finally, the Board adopted modifications to Policy 62004 regarding Crowdfunding and Policy 95005 concerning the Protection of Minors.

The discussion focused on addressing the achievement gap for black and Latino Hispanic students, noting that these groups fell below the average. A task force is being created to examine student experience and data, especially concerning the persistence rate, which was cited as over 20% for black and Hispanic students not persisting into the following year. The success of the 'Boys to Men' program at Montgomery College was highlighted, showing a 98% rate of returning, graduating, or transferring for its participants, compared to 74% for the general population of black male students. A key goal for the organization is to find ways to expand the 'Boys to Men' program to include a larger group of young men.