Kendra Kizziah

The 2022-2027 Strategic Plan for Gulf Coast State College serves as a blueprint to guide its path over the next five years, focusing on five major areas: Learning First, Student Success, Accessibility and Student Engagement, Community Connections, and Organizational Culture. Titled "Reset, Refresh, Renew," the plan aims to attract and graduate students equipped with essential workforce skills, provide knowledgeable and well-prepared graduates, and uphold the college's standards of excellence in teaching and learning, all while embodying a spirit of resilience and strength and remaining responsive to its community and core values.

The Board addressed multiple key operational and administrative items. Key activities included the announcement of Foundation donations, an update on college financial and investment performance, and reports on athletic program successes. Legal updates were provided regarding real estate contract terms and pending construction mediation. The Board approved the closure of a specific academic program and provided tentative approval for policy changes related to library patron records. Additionally, the meeting included updates on campus construction projects, confirmation of clean audit results for both the college and the foundation, and a summary of legislative updates affecting the college system budget.

The board meeting included a special presentation announcing a scholarship fund gift. Discussions involved legal negotiations regarding construction damages, financial updates from the GCSC Foundation, and reports from the Student Government Association. The board approved the sale of college properties and a right of entry for county property. Informational updates were provided regarding construction projects for the Nursing Simulation Center and a classroom shelter, as well as an overview of college financial controls, program reviews, enrollment statistics, and state legislative budget projections for the college system.

The agenda for the meeting includes updates on the Gulf Franklin Campus and the Student Government Association. Key business items involve the review and approval of personnel recommendations, contract ratifications, expenditure reports, and disposal of inventoried property. The Board will also consider updates to the Manual of Policy, the approval of the 2026-2027 General Education Course List, extensions for various service contracts including civil engineering and architectural services, approval of capital improvement program priorities, the guaranteed maximum price for the campus classroom and emergency shelter project, and the annual state requirements for fire and safety inspections.

The committee held presentations from three shortlisted architectural firms for the Nursing Simulation Center project. Following evaluations and rankings, the committee initiated negotiations with the top-ranked firm, Caldwell Architects, and successfully agreed on a professional fee of $1,274,766 based on state fee guidelines for the project.