May 22, 2025 Agenda and Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting
Conventing Center, Room B123
500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042
Thursday, May 22 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Board Members Present:

• Larry Brown
• Dr. Fernando Figueroa
• Agnes VanderPutten
• Michelle Hughes
• Olivia Keller
• Dr. Paul Klein
• Col Owens
• John Baines
• Madeline Kues

Board Members Absent:

• Charles Coleman

Gateway and KCTCS Faculty and Staff Present:

• Tess Burns, Vice President of Advancement
• Phil Dischar, Media, and Marketing Specialist
• Leslee Wermuth, Executive Assistant, President’s Office
• Christi Godman, Vice President of Operations
• Amy Hatfield, Vice President of Human Resources
• Doug Penix, Associate Vice President for Academic Services
• Antoine Smith-Rouse, Associate Vice President of Workforce Solutions
• Paul Tontillo, Associate Vice President of Budget, and Fiscal Affairs
• Dr. Teri VonHandorf, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Jennifer Jones, Director of Academic Advising & Transfer
• Bethany Fox, Director of Student Support & Re-Engagement

agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE/ROLL CALL
   Chair Brown called the meeting to order at 6:33 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 Agnes VanderPutten, Student Board of Directors Representative, to share her Gateway Story. As a high school student, Agnes was uncertain about attending college. The financial and emotional commitment felt overwhelming, especially without a clear career path. Gateway stood out as an accessible and affordable option that allowed her to explore her future without taking on significant risk. This opportunity didn’t happen by chance. Gateway’s recruiters visited her school, attended college fairs, and provided clear information. Hearing about her sister’s experience, graduating debt-free also played a significant role in her decision.

   Since enrolling, Agnes has grown both academically and personally. She’s found instructors who care, advisors who listen, and classmates with shared goals. She has also met many other working adults, recent graduates, and career changers who have discovered their paths through Gateway.

   For Agnes, that’s what Gateway is truly about: not just enrolling students but creating an environment where they feel supported and empowered to succeed.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   Chair Brown invited discussion on the April draft minutes. With no comments, he requested a motion to approve the minutes from the April 10, 2025, 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 

      Committee Chair Michelle Hughes asked Christi Godman to present the 2025-2026 operating budget. The business office collaborated with the finance committee to focus on the college's strategic priorities and develop the proposed budget. She noted items that are pending finalization by the KCTCS Board of Regents at the June meeting. She presented the key assumptions:  

      • Allowance for Tuition +2.1% increase from $189 to $193 (pending BOR)

      • Credit Hours increase +5.0% increase

      • State appropriation increase +2.5% increase in performance funding, net of system office allocation

      • Dual credit waivers maintain at -50%

      •  Allowance for Salaries up to +3% increase (plus compression, pending BOR)

      • Adjunct pay increase +7% increase, from $700 to $750

        Godman shared the sources of revenue and expense, with the most significant expenses being instruction and student support in the form of student services and financial aid. She reviewed the Budget Book page and the total budget in the amount of $47,796,200.  

        Committee Chair Hughes read Budget Resolution 01-2024-2025 for FY2025-2026. It states:  
        “The President of the College has presented to the Board of Directors’ Finance and Facilities Committee the proposed revenue and expenditure plan for FY2025-26 of $47,796,200 which consists of $31,326,700 in Unrestricted funds and $16,469,500 in Restricted funds. The plan provides funding to meet the most pressing needs as identified by the college’s Strategic Plan”.

        The Gateway Community & Technical College Board of Directors formally voted to approve for submission to the KCTCS System President and Board of Regents the proposed FY2025-26 revenue and expenditure plan. This action was approved by the Board on this 22nd day of May 2025. 

        Upon motion by Vice Chair Hughes, and seconded by Olivia Keller, a roll call vote was taken to approve Resolution 01-2024-2025. The vote was unanimously approved.  

   2. Performance Evaluation of the President's Committee
      Committee Chair Keller spoke about the summary evaluation of Dr. Figueroa in the board packet and said that, overall, Dr. Figueroa met expectations, showing improvement across all areas compared to the previous year. Key strengths noted were his relationship-building skills, particularly through his involvement in the NKU community, and his focus on student, staff, and faculty success.

      Chair Brown called for a motion to approve the summary as presented, and to send it to KCTCS President Quarles, as instructed. Upon motion by Committee Chair Keller, and seconded by John Baines, a vote was taken to approve the President’s Performance Evaluation Summary as presented. The vote was unanimous to approve. 

      Chair Brown will email the summary to KCTCS President Quarles by the deadline. 

   3. Strategic Planning Development Committee
      The board reviewed necessary updates to the strategic plan statements to ensure it align with HB4 requirements since the plan was originally approved

5. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 
   Chair Brown asked Dr. Figueroa to present proclamations to departing Board Members Paul Kline, Maddie Kues, and Agnes VanderPutten. He thanked them for their service and dedication.

6. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
   Dr. Figueroa began by reminding both returning and new board members that he will be scheduling one-on-one meetings over the summer to reflect on the past year and discuss plans for the upcoming year. 

   Dr. Figueroa provided an update on HB4 compliance. While the board approved updates to the strategic plan language, colleges across Kentucky are still working through questions about  HB4’s  implications and how to ensure compliance with the statute. Monthly meetings with KCTCS legal counsel and institutional liaisons help ensure consistency and compliance. A formal certification of compliance will be signed by June 30, with additional documentation and a climate survey from the Council on Post Secondary Education to follow.

   Dr. Figueroa introduced Paul Tontillo, Jennifer Jones, and Bethany Fox to present Get to Know Gateway #6- SEM Integrated Roadmap to Growth

   At Gateway, Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) is more than a plan, it’s a team-driven approach built around seven sub-teams, each focused on a critical area of student success: Advising, Coaching, Communications, Recruitment, Student Support, Wellness, and English Language Learners.

   Each sub-team plays a vital role:

   • Advising helps students get and stay on track with their academic and career goals.

   • Coaching builds student confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

   • Effective communication ensures the right messages reach the right people at the right time, key to effective engagement.

   • Recruitment lays the foundation by creating meaningful first connections.

   • Student Support, Wellness, and ELL services ensure all students, especially those navigating unique challenges, have what they need to succeed once they’re here.

     At the core of Strategic Enrollment Management are three main goals: Recruitment, Retention, and Success. In summary, these goals can be understood as: Get them here. Keep them here. Help them thrive.

     While SEM tracks numerous metrics, we primarily focus on two key measures: enrollment and retention.

   • Enrollment refers to credit-seeking students.

7. Retention is measured from term to term (fall-to-fall, spring-to-spring) and includes students who graduate, because graduation is a win.

   Beyond the Projections:

   Our original recovery plan projected 3.3% annual growth, about 10% over three years. Instead, we’ve achieved 30% growth in that time, three times what we anticipated. That kind of rapid growth brings both opportunities and challenges. Thanks to our integrated planning systems, we were able to adapt in real time, making smarter decisions around budgeting, investments, and compensation. It’s a clear example of how data-driven strategy leads to stronger outcomes.

   To sustain this momentum, we’re focused on four strategic priorities:

   1. Re-Enrollment & Retention Grants- Helping students return by clearing financial holds and supporting them through to completion.

   2. English Language Learners- Our fastest-growing student group. We’re expanding faculty and services to accelerate language acquisition and ensure success in all courses.

   3. Dual Credit- Dual credit students now make up 40% of our enrollment. Our goal isn’t just to serve them—it’s to help them choose Gateway after graduation.

   4. Online Success- With 75% of students taking at least one online course—and 50% fully online—we’re investing in high-quality instruction and strong virtual support to ensure all students feel connected and supported.

   Your Role as Board Members:

   Your advocacy matters. When you share Gateway’s story in the community and celebrate our students, you’re helping us grow our impact.

    

8. Chair Brown concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude to the board members who were leaving.
9. ADJOURNMENT
   Chair Brown called the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

Important Dates to Remember

• Board Meeting - September 11, 2025
• Board Meeting - October 23, 2025
• Board Meeting - December 11, 2025