Virginia Highlands Community College

The board meeting included reports on enrollment increases for the Summer and Fall semesters and updates on the ongoing promotion of the Promise Program. Updates were provided regarding the Paramont Center facility improvements and the honoring of the Wellspring Foundation. The board was briefed on upcoming campus projects, specifically asbestos abatement across three buildings. A closed session was held to discuss legal issues and the president's performance evaluation. Finally, the board received a report on new workforce development initiatives, including the development of bus driver training and upcoming trades programs in carpentry and plumbing, as well as an update on dual enrollment implementation.

The agenda includes the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair, a review of the tentative board meeting schedule, and various reports on instruction and student services including Citizens Advisory Committees membership and enrollment updates. It further covers Institutional Advancement and Foundation reports, as well as finance items such as the transfer of bookstore and parking fee revenue and the approval of vending commissions and student activity fee budgets. Additionally, the meeting will address campus improvement projects, a workforce development report, and a summary of the chancellor's retreat.

The board approved a new member for the Citizens Advisory Committee and two new curriculum proposals for Associate of Applied Science degrees in Hospitality & Tourism Management and Medical Coding & Billing. Seven certificate programs were discontinued due to low enrollment. An enrollment report indicated an 8% increase in FTE compared to the previous year. The board reviewed updates on the Bristol Promise Program, scholarship funding, and a national college ranking. Additionally, the board approved the 2026-2027 Localities Appropriation Fund budget request, reaffirmed the college's mission statement, and discussed progress on the Campus Master Plan and Workforce Development initiatives.

The board conducted elections for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair for the 2025-2026 academic year. Key items approved included the membership for the Citizens Advisory Committee and multiple financial transfers related to bookstore commissions, parking fee revenue, and the 2025-2026 Vending Commission and Student Activity Fee budget. Updates were provided on student enrollment statistics, institutional funding from the Wellspring Foundation for the Washington County Promise Program and Paramont Advanced Technology Center, and the status of campus construction and master planning. Furthermore, the meeting covered shifts in workforce development for EMT training, dual enrollment regulation adjustments, and a report on board governance and AI technology discussions from the Chancellor's Retreat.

The board received updates from various departments including enrollment metrics in instruction and student services, scholarship and fundraising outcomes from institutional advancement, and current campus infrastructure projects from finance and administration. The president provided reports on workforce development programs, including new law enforcement training partnerships, and shared legislative updates regarding budget initiatives and potential changes to board composition and collective bargaining. Additionally, the board was briefed on the college's ongoing accreditation review process, the presidential evaluation cycle, and a master planning presentation.