Kris Beckendorf

The meeting commenced with the board calling the meeting to order and an announcement regarding the authority to meet in executive session for specific legal, real property, personnel, security, and economic development matters. Following the invocation and pledges led by students, the agenda proceeded to reports. The Chancellor's report recognized two health and kinesiology majors interning with a Trustee and mentioned upcoming partnership discussions with Texas A&M Prairie View. A facilities update detailed progress on the Brenham campus central plant upgrades (on schedule for September completion) and the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex (scheduled for May completion with a June grand opening ceremony). Permitting is underway for the Waller campus academic building, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for March 6th. The financial statement package for the period ending January 31, 2026, indicated healthy cash reserves, revenues expected to exceed budget, and expenses under budget, leading to a positive addition to the fund balance. The Fall 2025 graduation report highlighted a record number of attendees for the December graduation (149 students) and noted that two ceremonies will be held in May due to the high number of graduates (301 in May, continuing a trend). The report also clarified processes for regular, reverse transfer, and 'lost' graduates, confirming degrees are conferred even if students do not formally apply. Finally, the institutional enrollment report for Winter Mini/Spring 2026 was presented, noting a decrease in Winter Mini enrollment attributed to calendar misalignment with Texas A&M, though overall grades were impressive (3.36 average GPA for dual credit students). The discussion concluded with an overview of various parts of term for the Spring semester and ongoing communication efforts with students regarding course schedules.

The primary activity documented in this segment of the meeting involves the conclusion of the proceedings. The discussions returned to regular session shortly before the meeting was formally adjourned.

The meeting began with a declaration to call the regular board meeting to order, noting the authority to meet in closed executive session for specified legal, real property, personnel, security, and economic development matters. The meeting included recognizing Lily Webster, a sophomore student, who led the invocation and the pledges. Key discussions focused on facility updates, including progress on the Brennham campus central plant upgrades, which remain on schedule for September 2026 completion. Construction updates were provided for the Waller workforce and technical education complex, which is scheduled to open in May for summer classes, and preliminary work has started on the Waller campus facility slated for Fall 2027. A significant portion of the meeting involved the presentation of a $25,000 grant from Comcast to support the esports program on the Relis campus, aimed at upgrading competition stage computers. Furthermore, an update was provided on the Future Works Academy, a leadership development program celebrating its 10th year, including the introduction of Class 10 members and a discussion on the application process and the new Future Works 2.0 advanced session.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledges, followed by the Chancellor's administrative report highlighting athletic achievements. The men's and women's cross country teams won Region 14 championships and qualified for nationals. The men's soccer team also made history by competing in the national tournament for the first time. The volleyball team also qualified for the national tournament. Updates on facilities included the progress of the new Water Campus, scheduled for a guaranteed maximum price presentation in December, and the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, scheduled for completion in May 2026. Upgrades to the central plant on the Brenham campus are also progressing. The meeting featured a presentation on the legal assistant program, detailing its curriculum, expert faculty (attorneys and judges), high job placement rates (90% entering the field), and strong alumni network. Key community events discussed were the Texas 10th Court of Appeals session held on campus and the annual paralegal forum. Finally, the announcement of the retirement of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs after 25 years of service was made.

The meeting commenced with standard procedures, including explanations regarding the Texas Government Code provisions for executive sessions covering legal consultation, real property deliberation, prospective gifts, personnel matters, security audits, and economic development negotiations. The session included recognition of two students, Sarah Crawn and Riley Gilfoil, who offered the invocation and participated in the pledge of allegiance. The Chancellor's administrative report detailed facilities updates, including completed design work for a new academic building at the Waller campus, scheduled for groundbreaking in January 2026, and ongoing construction at the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex. Updates were also provided on upgrades to the central plant, with a projected completion in September 2026. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing three retiring professors for their combined 68 years of service: Iette Yanichek (18 years), Adam Klene (20 years), and Lawrence Chilton (30 years). The Board also received the institutional enrollment report for Fall 2025, noting that the certified enrollment figure surpassed numbers from 2021 through 2024, with significant increases seen at the Brenham campus and in dual credit participation. Enrollment trends, including communication efforts to re-engage former students, were discussed.