February 13, 2025 Agenda and Minutes

Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Convening Center, Room B123
500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042

1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE/ROLL CALL
   Chair Larry Brown called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence. Roll call was taken. The record will reflect that a quorum was present.
2. MISSION MOMENT 
   Dr. Figueroa introduced Dr. Kathy Burhardt to share her experience partnering with Gateway. Dr. Burhardt has been with NaviGo since 2020 and has 27 years of experience in public education. Her career includes roles as a teacher, principal, curriculum specialist, and school superintendent. Additionally, she teaches school leadership courses as an adjunct professor at Northern Kentucky University.
   As a school superintendent, Dr. Burhardt collaborated with Gateway to provide her students with the opportunity to enroll in dual credit courses and participate in various programs. In her role as an Executive Director at Learning Grove-NaviGo, she and her team work alongside schools, businesses, colleges, and organizations to prepare students for the workforce. Their efforts include college and career coaching, work-based learning, and specialized programs.
   NaviGo will continue its affiliation with Gateway to enhance job opportunities for young people and support students in the regional area. This partnership will provide youth with hands-on experiences that connect them to their future, underscoring the importance of collaborations such as the one with Gateway.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   Chair Brown invited discussion on the draft minutes. With no comments, he requested a motion to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2024, meeting. Michelle Hughes moved to approve, and Olivia Keller seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
   
   1. Finance and Facilities Committee:
      Chair Brown introduced Paul Tontillo to present a financial overview of the FY 25-26 budget. He began with an update on the current year, utilizing revenue and expense driver breakdowns. Enrollment has exceeded expectations for six consecutive terms, significantly boosting revenue. Expenses are on track, and the financial outlook appears strong. High school tuition waivers have increased alongside enrollment growth, and the overall financial impact remains positive. He indicated that enrollment and state appropriations are the primary revenue sources crucial for the budget. Paul also emphasized the importance of ensuring that expenses align with our strategic priorities, particularly in instruction and student support, constituting a significant portion of the budget. He highlighted an expected modest tuition increase of approximately 1.6% for the upcoming year, following a history of similar adjustments over the past decade. For the moment, state funding and waivers remain steady. Employee and adjunct faculty pay will also see a small increase in July.
      Paul shared the budget planning process for FY25-26.  The collaborative process incorporates insights from deans and the strategic enrollment management team for alignment of financial resources with the college's strategic priorities, ensuring effective student success investments. This entails regular reviews and adjustments, considering enrollment trends and funding availability to maintain sustainability. Dr. Figueroa and the XLT are vital in identifying and addressing strategic investment needs, ensuring that emerging priorities receive the necessary support.
      Based on strong population trends in Northern Kentucky, the target goal is 7,500 students by 2030. As Gateway continues to build its momentum, it focuses on developing budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.
      Key Dates: March - First budget draft; April - Refinements; May 22 - Final approval by the board
5. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 
   Chair Brown shared his insights from the Education Committee meeting in Frankfort on February 13, 2025. The main concern was the uncertainty surrounding the Department of Education’s budget, specifically, how funding will be distributed and when it will arrive.
6. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
   Dr. Figueroa announced that Adisyn Donk will be the Commencement Speaker for 2025. Addison is a welding graduate who earned her associate's degree in welding and business from Gateway. This fall, she will attend Northern Kentucky University to pursue a degree in engineering.
   Dr. Figueroa shared an update on Advocacy Day. The one-pager outlines the key elements of our legislative direction. It emphasizes the need to update our governance structure to better align with the university systems in various regions. Ongoing discussions are taking place, and Dr. Figueroa will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
   Dr. Figueroa introduced Tess Burns to share Get to Know Gateway #4 Advancement and Advocacy. Tess shared a story about the transformative power of education through the journey of Jasmine, a single mother who juggles work, school, and childcare with no family support. A neighbor suggests college, leading her to discover Gateway. She applied, received a scholarship, and started school, but she struggles with childcare. A grant from the Deters Foundation eases that burden.
   Despite earning a 3.8 GPA and joining the nursing program, she faces more challenges—her car breaks down, and public transportation is unmanageable. A counselor connects her with Samaritan Car Clinic for discounted repairs. Then, a rent increase forces her to find new housing, but a donor-funded assistance program helps her secure a stable home. With determination and community support, Jasmine graduates and lands a great job. Her story shows how scholarships, grants, and resources change lives.
   Tess highlighted the significant role that alumni can play in fundraising by leveraging their personal connections and shared experiences. She outlined key strategies to enhance this involvement: Targeted Outreach - Engage alumni through personalized communication and networking events; Alumni Engagement - Cultivate a culture of giving with events, mentorship, and ambassador programs; Impact Storytelling - Share alumni success stories to inspire emotional connections and donations; Career & Community Impact - Highlight how alumni contributions support education and benefit society.
7. ADJOURNMENT
   Chair Brown called the meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

Important Dates to Remember              

• Board Meeting - April 10, 2025
• Commencement - May 15, 2025
• Board Meeting - May 23, 2025