Kimberly Adams

The board received updates from the President, including information on institutional partnerships, construction projects, and student achievements. The Vice Presidents presented reports covering financial status, enrollment increases, academic audits, institutional advancement activities, human resources hiring updates, and workforce training initiatives. The board reviewed and acknowledged the strategic plan and progress report. Additionally, the board approved the 2026-2027 Student Handbook and revisions to the Policy and Procedure Manual, and conducted an executive session.

The strategic plan for Black River Technical College focuses on enhancing the community through quality academic and career education. Key goals include fostering an exemplary atmosphere for learning and working, preparing students for further education, achieving enrollment growth and increased retention, and expanding marketing presence and strategic partnerships. The plan emphasizes sustainability, community culture, quality assurance, continuous improvement, and meeting the needs of both university and employment sectors.

The Black River Technical College (BRTC) Strategic Plan (2017-2021) focuses on four strategic goals: 1. Responsible enrollment management and student success, aiming to increase headcount, adult headcount, career readiness, retention, and completion rates. 2. Enhanced brand awareness through regional marketing, program evaluation, and effective internal communication. 3. Regional leadership development via strategic partnerships with businesses and industries, increased student internship opportunities, community engagement, and fundraising. 4. Establishing a data-driven culture for continuous improvement by enhancing data collection, accessibility, and standardized documentation processes. The plan involves various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, the board, and the community, and includes regular evaluation and adjustments.

The Black River Technical College Strategic Plan (2017-2021) outlines four key goals. Goal 1 focuses on responsible enrollment management and student success, aiming to increase headcount, non-traditional student enrollment, career readiness, full-time retention, and completion rates. Goal 2 aims to enhance the college's brand awareness, program marketability, and internal communications effectiveness. Goal 3 emphasizes regional leadership through strategic partnerships with businesses and industries, increased student internship opportunities, community engagement, and fundraising. Goal 4 prioritizes creating a sustainable culture of evidence for continuous improvement by enhancing data collection, access, and documentation processes.

The meeting covered various topics including a flood impact/recovery update, focusing on repairs and improvements to the Gaines Technology Center, including new auditorium seating. A finance committee recommendation was made to develop a budget based on a projected 3% enrollment increase. Policies and procedures updates were reviewed and accepted. An update on the Higher Learning Commission, including progress on assessment reports and general education course mapping, was provided. Enrollment management updates included a new model for recruiting and admissions, with restructuring and new staff. Financial reports were presented, including a comparison of the FY18 and FY17 operating budgets, and updates on the Colleague system implementation and online bookstore savings. A one-time bonus for faculty and staff was approved, along with plans for Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) in the FY19 budget.