Holyoke Community College

The agenda for the meeting includes personnel action reports, empowerment of the College President regarding personnel actions, and a Trustee spotlight. Committee reports will be presented for By-Laws and Governance, Presidential Evaluation, and the Foundation Board. Key discussion topics also include a presentation and vote on the Strategic Plan 3.0, followed by an executive session to discuss personnel-related matters and the review of previous executive session minutes.

The Board of Trustees held a special session to focus on board governance and structure. Key discussion topics included a review of trustee skills and expertise, a discussion on the Trustee Compact detailing statutory and common law duties, and a comprehensive evaluation of current Board committees. The Board explored potential reconfigurations for the Audit and Finance, Governance, Equity, Strategic Planning, and Advocacy committees to improve effectiveness and alignment with the college's strategic goals. The session concluded with plans to incorporate equity principles across all committee work, reconfigure the Strategic Planning Committee, and abolish the inactive Advocacy Committee.

The committee reviewed the Strategic Plan Metrics Mid-Year Update to assess progress in Year 3. Discussions centered on analyzing retention and transfer rate trends, as well as evaluating the equity gap between white students and students of color.

The meeting included reports from the By-Laws and Governance Committee regarding the upcoming retreat and presidential evaluation, as well as an update on the development and implementation of Strategic Plan 3.0. The Foundation Board provided updates on the scholarship season and recent philanthropy events. The Board discussed the AACC conference and administrative preparations for an upcoming retreat. The President provided a report covering advocacy for competitive faculty and staff wages, the appointment of a new Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, national recognition of college staff, and successes in theater and integrative learning departments. The President also reported on several new grants awarded to the college for workforce training and academic programs, and a presentation was delivered regarding the Pathway to Workforce Pell initiative.

The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan for Holyoke Community College is a roadmap focused on student success, equity, teaching and learning, and workforce development and transfer. Key priorities include narrowing equity gaps for minoritized and adult students in areas such as course completion, retention, graduation, and transfer rates. The plan aims to drive institutional initiatives, foster innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across all departments to enhance educational outcomes and the overall student experience, aligning with the college's mission to Educate, Inspire, and Connect.