John Baptista

This document provides an update on the 2022-26 System Strategic Plan, primarily focusing on 'Soar: The Campaign for NC Community Colleges'. The campaign aims to advance statewide priorities and unlock philanthropic investment through three pillars: Opportunity, which focuses on attracting and inspiring the next generation of students; Success, dedicated to accelerating student paths to completion and career success; and Mobility, which emphasizes engaging employers to accelerate worker-learner career development. The overall objective is to position North Carolina as a national standard for building clear routes to family-sustaining careers and fostering economic mobility.

The primary board meeting on February 20, 2026, included a Military Engagement Update from the President of Vance-Granville Community College and a presentation on the UnitedHealthcare Future Leaders in Health Scholarship Program. A key item involved the introduction of Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey as the new President of South Piedmont Community College. Committee reports were presented across several areas. The Transformation Committee provided updates on Enterprise Resource Planning Modernization and Customer Relationship Management, including a demonstration of the Ellucian Banner SaaS platform focusing on improved student, faculty, and advisor experiences, and addressing system-wide goals like reducing reliance on costly add-ons and planning for AI integration. The Strategic Planning Committee reviewed and supported draft Strategic Goals for the 2026-29 System Strategic Plan, focusing on building the best workforce, aligning employers and students, and transforming the system infrastructure. Updates were also provided on the 'Soar' fundraising campaign and the AI.iNC project.

The State Board Policy and Governance Committee meeting addressed several policy items requiring action. Key discussions involved the process for amending, repealing, or adopting State Board codes, including requirements for public comment periods based on whether changes are substantive or non-substantive. The committee approved an amendment to 4A SBCCC 100.3 to formally define "pre-apprenticeship program." Additionally, the committee reviewed and approved the codification of policy 4A SBCCC 100.13 concerning pre-apprenticeship program standards, which incorporated a non-substantive edit based on public feedback. Further approvals included amendments related to proprietary school license renewal deadlines (2A SBCCC 300.2), an increase in the late renewal fee for proprietary schools (2A SBCCC 300.6), and a new requirement for closed or unrenewed proprietary schools to transfer all student records to the North Carolina State Archives (2A SBCCC 400.11).

The Personnel Committee meeting involved amending the agenda to include items for a closed session. The committee moved into closed session to discuss confidential information and the qualifications, competence, performance, character, and fitness of public employees and prospective public employees. Upon returning to open session, two items were deferred due to time constraints. The provided system office vacancy report and the college presidential status report were presented for information only.

The meeting agenda for the State Board included several committee meetings preceding the main board session. Key discussion topics for the main board meeting involved a Military Engagement Update from the President of Vance-Granville Community College and a Special Contribution Presentation regarding the UnitedHealthcare Future Leaders in Health Scholarship Program. The agenda also included the introduction of Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey as the new President of South Piedmont Community College. Committee reports covered information items such as the Enterprise Resource Planning Modernization Update and Customer Relationship Management. The Strategic Planning Committee presented action items related to the System Office Mission Statement and the 2026-29 NCCC System Strategic Plan Strategic Goals. The Finance Committee proposed several allocations for customized training, enrollment growth reserve, and expenditure amendments, as well as legislative agenda items. The Programs and Student Success Committee focused on dual enrollment and legislative reports concerning specific college training centers. The State Board Policy and Governance Committee addressed a recommendation to refuse initial proprietary licensure.