Rebecca Albert

The Board meeting addressed several key areas, beginning with the approval of the agenda. The Consent Agenda included the approval of minutes from previous sessions in January and February, as well as the unanimous approval for the contract award for furniture for the Florestano Building not to exceed $1,319,468. In committee reports, the Board discussed the presidential search process, including the selection of RH Perry & Associates as the search firm and the presentation of the proposed timeline spanning through November 2026, with the new president expected in July 2027. The Budget Committee presented action items, leading to the unanimous acceptance of the FY 2027 College Operating Budget and the FY 2027-2032 Capital Budget, which involved discussions on state/county funding needs and a tuition increase. The Facilities Committee reported on ongoing renovations and potential adjacent development. Foundation reports noted successful fundraising efforts, including meeting a challenge match for the Future Nursing Professionals Annual Scholarship. Trustees reported on participation in the ACCT National Legislative Summit, focusing on Pell Grants and workforce development. The President's Report highlighted student achievements, including a DREAM Scholar award, and updated enrollment figures showing year-over-year increases. New academic programs (Associate of Arts in Theater and Dance, Associate of Fine Arts in Studio Arts and Graphic and Web Design, and Associate of Science in Science Transfer) were presented for future consideration. Reports from various staff and student organizations detailed recent activities and governance matters, with The Faculty Organization expressing concern regarding the Board's public expression of confidence in the Provost. Finally, the Board unanimously accepted the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar.

The budget workshop served as an informal session for trustees to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget and the Academic Portfolio and Resources Review. Key discussion points included the current FY 2026 budget status, which indicated operations were balanced overall but required drawing from the Tuition Stabilization Fund (TSF) due to increased utility costs and other expenditures exceeding appropriations. Enrollment trends, including slowing growth and projections concerning the anticipated enrollment cliff between 2028 and 2030, were presented. The proposed $5 per credit hour tuition increase, aligning with inflation, was reviewed concerning its impact on affordability and enrollment elasticity. The session also detailed the ongoing fiscal resiliency work, which involved an external review of academic programs, course analysis, and faculty posture, noting improvements in academic program compression. Furthermore, the proposed FY 2027-2032 Capital Budget was reviewed, focusing exclusively on renovations rather than new construction, including plans for the Dragun science building and the relocation of the Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute (HCAT). Compensation for FY 2026 was detailed, noting a 6% compensation pool and the College's efforts to remain competitive in the labor market using a market-based salary approach. Finally, a multi-year budget planning tool illustrated that continued reliance on the TSF without additional revenue or expense reduction may pose challenges beyond the third year, underscoring the need for efficient resource deployment.

Anne Arundel Community College's core competency of self-management emphasizes the importance of students gaining learning and life skills beyond specific course content. It focuses on developing fundamental learning outcomes vital for success in work and life, including communication, technology fluency, information literacy, personal wellness, scientific and quantitative reasoning, social and civic responsibility, global perspective, and innovative and critical thinking. The plan aims to ensure students display accountability and adaptability as learners, preparing them to be well-prepared citizens and graduates.

This strategic plan is designed to advance Anne Arundel Community College as a dynamic and student-focused institution, delivering exceptional learning experiences while ensuring long-term viability and sustainability. The plan is rooted in core values, emphasizing community and relationships, equity and inclusion, innovation and creativity, opportunity, and positivity. It focuses on providing access for all, ensuring academic excellence, driving economic and social mobility, and fostering a student-centered culture to empower students and meet the evolving needs of the community.

The board meeting included a report on a faculty member's sabbatical, focusing on the creation of a Center for Liberal Arts. The board also reviewed and approved the FY2024 audit report, discussed the FY2025 budget, and heard committee reports on audit and finance, board development, board policy oversight, and the budget. A key discussion point was the limited uncommitted county revenues for FY2026 and the resulting challenges given state funding reductions.