Nicole B. Harrell

The Board of Trustees meeting covered several strategic and administrative items. Key discussions included a presentation on the Strategic Plan Milestone regarding adult learners, the Audit Committee report, and the monthly financial report. The board approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget, which detailed tuition rates and salary adjustments for staff and faculty. Furthermore, the board authorized the promotion of fourteen faculty members across various schools. Additional actions included the approval of sole source contracts with Blackbox and Modern Campus. The meeting concluded with administrative reports from the President and the Board Vice Chair regarding institutional initiatives and upcoming scheduling.

The meeting included a student presentation on campus engagement and an update on the Achieving the Dream visit. The board reviewed the monthly financial report and approved the annual Cultural Diversity Report for submission to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Nominations for the Foundation Board of Directors were confirmed, and faculty tenure was granted to six professors. Additionally, the board approved renewals for employee medical and dental plans, as well as a stop loss contract. Several technology and operational contracts were authorized, including enterprise subscriptions and competition waivers. Finally, sixteen additional contracts were approved for renewal, followed by reports from the President and Board Chair.

The board received a student presentation from the Student Government Association and an update on Credit for Prior Learning. Financial reports for March were presented, covering revenues, expenses, cash on hand, fund balances, and grants. The board approved a 60-month contract with JustTech for print center services, a 5-year lease agreement for Xerox equipment, a 2-year contract for a Learning Management System, and a 3-year contract extension with Blackbaud. The meeting concluded with reports from the President and the Vice Chair.

This document, which focuses on the 'Momentum' pillar of the strategic plan, outlines initiatives to enhance student support and retention. Key strategies include establishing a Center for Teaching and Learning for faculty development, unifying and expanding tutoring services, implementing the 'Campus Anywhere' platform to provide accessible student services, and offering comprehensive wraparound services and a dedicated cohort program for students with non-academic needs. The plan also emphasizes building a supportive workforce culture through employee recruitment, retention, engagement, and professional development, aiming to improve student retention rates over a five-year period.

This document outlines the strategic plan for the College of Southern Maryland, focusing on three core pillars: Access, Momentum, and Mobility. Access aims to welcome all by removing barriers; Momentum focuses on enhancing persistence through examining culture, policies, and practices; and Mobility seeks to offer educational pathways to improve lives. The plan emphasizes broadening entry points, fostering student success over a five-year timeframe, and includes initiatives such as Credit for Prior Learning, diverse faculty and staff recruitment, the 'Gardening for Hunger' program, and English as a Second Language education.