Natalie Barbero-Menchaca

The agenda for this regular board meeting includes discussions on Electric Vehicle Funding successes across Automotive, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Carpentry, and Welding programs, which have secured significant program grants and federal funding via Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS). Other topics include the presentation of Professional Leave recommendations for the 2026-2027 academic year, the Second Quarter Financial Report, and various standing reports from student, faculty, and staff representatives. The President's Report will cover institutional stability post-leadership transition, executive team alignment, student advocacy outcomes, and monitoring of key risks such as the state funding environment and campus climate. Legal updates include a significant preliminary injunction in the TRiO Litigation and the finalization of $2 million in federal CDS for EV Technology, Veterans Services, and Mechatronics.

The agenda for this meeting includes celebrating student athlete success stories, reviewing correspondence, and receiving several reports to the Board. Key reports cover the Financial Quarter 1 Report and the Cedar Hall Renovations for the Nursing Program. Standing reports include updates from Faculty, Student, and Classified Staff representatives. A major action item involves an Executive Session to discuss labor agreement interpretation, collective bargaining strategy, and employee performance evaluation. The Action Recommendations section specifically addresses the Cedar Hall Renovation, which requires funding approval for necessary compliance updates to Phlebotomy program facilities. Other business includes discussing upcoming activities and meetings.

The agenda includes a celebration of the Harvest Fest 2025, focusing on its impact on addressing food insecurity among students. The AI Task Force will provide an overview and update on AI integration at GRC, including toolkits, professional development, and funding opportunities. The Student Report will cover updates on student life, advocacy, and legislative work. The Faculty Report will discuss the Green River budget crisis, shared governance, and accreditation standards. The Classified Staff Report will address limited staff participation in shared governance. The President's Report will cover state and federal budget issues, the new allocation model for the CTC system, and external partnerships.

The meeting included new faculty introductions, a board retreat debrief, and updates on the Job Skills Program and Customized Training Program grant requests. The board also discussed the student report, equity and diversity report, faculty report, and the president's report. An executive session was held to discuss litigation and potential litigation. Action recommendations included the Job Skills Program and Customized Training Program grant requests. The board also discussed the Trustees Association. Additionally, the meeting on June 12, 2025, included public comments, a statement on equity, anti-racism, and campus culture, a graduation report, budget discussions, a student report, a fiscal sustainability taskforce update, and board bylaws. The meeting on August 6, 2025, covered board evaluation, goal reflection, board meeting structure, calendar updates, CLERY/Campus Safety Update, EAB Navigate MOU, and federal funding updates.

The Board of Trustees meeting includes discussion on ethics, OPMA, and public records. The regular meeting covers topics such as scholarship recipients, budget reports, revisions to the student conduct code, and the schedule of board meetings for 2026. Standing reports include updates from students, equity and diversity, college council, faculty, classified staff, and the president. The agenda also includes action recommendations on the revised student conduct code and discussions on the Trustees Association and upcoming activities.