Joshua Castleberry

The meeting commenced with a welcome to the new Clarendon County Area Commissioner. A high-level overview of the recently completed Academic and Facilities Master Plan was presented, highlighting goals, findings such as an aging population and a shift towards healthcare professions, and the necessity for program expansion. The Consent Agenda, covering Institutional Advancement, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs reports, was unanimously approved. The Finance Update included a review of the financial statement as of 8/31/2025, noting a decrease in tuition revenue but an increase in state appropriations funding. The Commission unanimously approved FY26 Budget Amendment #3, which reflected increased revenue from state appropriations and increased expenditures for state insurance and professional development travel. The College Report detailed discussions with the F.E. Dubose Career Center regarding facility and academic programming alignment, an update on the marketing budget, and confirmation of the upcoming SACSCOC reaffirmation visit. Members were also provided with the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and capital projects documentation.

The meeting involved the unanimous approval of the minutes from the May 15, 2025, Area Commission meeting and the June 4, 2025, Special Called Area Commission meeting. The Consent Agenda, covering reports from Institutional Advancement, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs (including a new directive on hazing prevention), and Business Affairs (including a new directive on law enforcement requests), was unanimously approved. The Finance Update detailed the financial statement as of 6/30/2025, noting total revenue of $28,298,474 and a cash balance increase of approximately 6%. The Commission unanimously approved Budget Amendment #2 for FY26, which included a requested 1.4% tuition rate increase effective for Spring 2026 registration, raising the total adjustment to 3.4% over the previously approved increase, and accounted for a reduction in Clarendon County appropriations. An update on the Academic and Facilities Master Plan was provided, with a full presentation scheduled for the September meeting. The Marketing & Recruitment update focused on current strategies and upcoming events, including a dedication ceremony. The College Report noted the closing of the summer semester and the start of the fall semester on August 18th. The Chairman provided an update on the presidential search process, noting the initial screening committee plans to review 60 applications on August 22nd to select candidates for subsequent interviews.

The special called meeting included an executive session held for the purpose of discussing employment, appointment, compensation, promotion, demotion, discipline, or release of an employee, student, or a person regulated by the public body, or the appointment of a person to a public body. No action was taken during the executive session. Upon returning to open session, the Area Commission unanimously approved a motion to offer the position of President to Dr. Jennifer Wilbanks, with the salary to be determined by the Agency Head Salary Commission. A subsequent motion was unanimously approved directing the Chair to work with the Agency Head Salary Commission on the submission of an appropriate salary request.

The 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for Central Carolina Technical College serves as a guide for continued growth, focusing on four main goals: enhancing student success, growing internal talent through career development, increasing visibility via strengthened community partnerships, and ensuring institutional sustainability through optimal resource acquisition. The plan aims to improve lives through excellence in teaching, learning, and economic enhancement, aspiring to be the first choice for accessible, affordable, and relevant higher education in an innovative, student-centered environment.

The meeting included discussions and approvals related to the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and the 2025-2026 College Annual Goals. A finance update covered financial statements, cash balances, and proposed changes to tuition and fees. The FY26 budget and capital projects budget were also approved. Additionally, CPIP projects were presented and approved. The commission then moved to offer the position of Interim President to Jason Tisdel.