North Idaho College

The strategic plan outlines the college's direction for the years 2025-2030, developed through extensive data collection. It is structured around five strategic goals: enhancing student access and support services, providing streamlined and flexible educational programs, strengthening relationships with business, industry, and community partners, creating a unified educational system across all college centers, and achieving organizational efficiency by investing in employees, facilities, and technology. The plan's overarching aim is to foster student success and ensure a cohesive, effective learning environment.

The meeting began with the confirmation of a quorum and the reading of Senator Hill's report, which detailed activities such as planning for commencement, library support, and service as a House Representative page while serving remotely. Other senators reported on their activities, including attendance at committee meetings, support for campus events like Night at the Library and the St. Anznic event, review of FAST grants, and budget preparations. The Vice President reported on attending board meetings, meetings with the Boise student body president regarding civics presentation to the Idaho State Board of Education, and work on Cardinal Reads, including discussions with Braver Angels for future events. The President reported on previous board meetings, collaboration on a joint civics presentation, reporting to the alumni association, and participation in various campus events. A discussion also noted that the Senate is working on relabeling some college standing committees as ad hoc committees. The meeting approved the minutes from the November 2025 meeting. Finally, the meeting adjourned.

The meeting included a report from the Board Chair regarding a successful site visit with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and positive experiences at the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress, as well as a productive facilitated training session. Key discussions involved celebrating the Simulation Center, reports from student, faculty, and staff constituent groups, and updates on strategic goals. Major topics included the NWCCU accreditation process, which is advancing toward a final commission report, progress on the search for a new Provost, preliminary enrollment increases, and positive construction momentum on the American Indian Student Center. Operational updates detailed significant enrollment growth at NIC at Sandpoint and strategy development for addressing state budget reductions. New business involved approving the Board Self-Assessment Results, accepting the annual independent fiscal audit results from Eide Bailly LLP, conducting the first reading of the 2025-2026 Board Goals, reviewing proposed revisions to several Board Policies (including Board Performance Review and Board General Conduct), and electing new Board Officers, resulting in Trustee Zimmerman becoming Board Chair, Trustee Havercroft as Vice Chair, and Trustee Durbin as Board Secretary/Treasurer.

The facilitated discussion commenced with a review of the Board's self-evaluation results, where consultants noted that the completion reflects strong governance practices and supports progress toward accreditation in good standing. Following this, the Trustees engaged in a comprehensive discussion and revision of the 2025-26 Board Goals to align them with the College's strategic plan and the President's goals, informed by the self-evaluation results. A summary of the Board Policy Sub-Committee meeting was provided. The meeting concluded with the President sharing the current Enrollment Dashboard, and commendations were given for participation in a policy workshop. A timeline document outlining activities toward achieving accreditation and key Board events was also presented.

The meeting agenda included several key items such as receiving messages from the Board Chair, public comment opportunities, and constituent reports from ASNIC, Faculty Assembly, Staff Assembly, and Senate. Information items covered updates on Instruction (Transfer and General Education), the Adult Education Center, Trending Student Needs, Fall Athletics, Accreditation status, and a Budget Discussion. New Business focused on discussions and actions regarding documenting the Accreditation Experience and the first reading of four new policies: Board of Trustees Performance Review, Trustee Emeritus Status, Board General Conduct Policy, and New Board Member Orientation. The consent agenda included approving the Head Start Eligibility Criteria and related policies, as well as approving the minutes from the January 21, 2026, regular meeting. The Policy Council Bylaws for Head Start were also reviewed.