October 20, 2022 Agenda and Minutes

Board of Directors Annual Meeting

Thursday, October 20, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
room 121/Workforce Conference Room, Truist Classroom and Training Center, 500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042

Board Members Present: 
Haley Anderson
John Baines
Larry Brown
Chars Coleman
Dr. Justin Ervin
Erik Hermes
Madeline Kues
Charles L. Session, Jr.

Board Members Absent: 
John Hayden
Ruth Howell

Gateway and KCTCS Faculty and Staff Present:
Phil Dischar, Manager of Media and Marketing
Dr. Fernando Figueroa, President/CEO
Jane Frantz, Executive Assistant, President’s Office
Dr. Denise Fritsch, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness
Christi Godman, Vice President, Workforce Solutions
Amy Hatfield, Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Adrijana Kowatsch, Vice President Development and External Relations
Heather Milby, Student Financial Aid Specialist
Doug Penix, Associate Vice President for Academic Services
David Schoenling, IT Project Manager
Donnelly Simmins, Administrative Assistant
Paul Tontillo, Associate Vice President, Budget & Fiscal Services
Dr. Teri VonHandorf, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
Ingrid Washington, Vice President, Student Affairs
Jamie Younger, Vice President, Administrative & Business Affairs

I.     CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE/ROLL CALL
Chair John Baines 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.

II.     MISSION MOMENT
President Figueroa introduced Donnelly Simmins to speak to the board about her Gateway story. Ms. Simmins is a Gateway and NKU graduate. She is an administrative assistant in the Gateway Health Professions Department. She graduated from NKU in the spring and started working at Gateway in July. Her mom graduated from Gateway in 2009. Ms. Simmins completed the Disney college program, which was an internship for six months. She enjoys meeting and working with Gateway students who are high school through adult students.         

III.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Baines asked if there were any questions or discussion about the minutes from the September 1, 2022, meeting. There being none, he called for a motion to approve the minutes. Upon motion by Mr. Larry Brown, and seconded by Mr. Charlie Coleman, a vote was taken to approve the September 1, 2022, minutes as presented. The vote was unanimous to approve.

IV.     ANNUAL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE
Chair Baines asked each committee chair to present their annual reports and statements of purpose.

A.     Finance and Facilities Committee                                                               Mr. Hermes

B.     Governance Committee                                                                              Mr. Hayden

C.     Performance Evaluation of the President Committee                                     Mr. Session

D.     Strategic Planning Development Committee                                              

E.      Nominating Committee

Chair Baines asked for a motion to approve the statements of purpose as presented. Upon motion by Mr. Erik Hermes and seconded by Mrs. Madeline Kues, a vote was taken to approve the statements of purpose. The vote was unanimous to approve.

V.     ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chair Baines asked the Nominating Committee Chair, Mr. Charlie Coleman, to proceed with officer elections. Mr. Coleman said that the nominating committee’s slate of officers includes Mr. John Baines to continue as Chair, Mr. Larry Brown as Vice Chair, and Mrs. Madeline Kues as Secretary. Chair Baines asked for any nominations from the floor. There being none, he called for a motion to vote on the slate as presented. Upon motion by Ms. Haley Anderson, and seconded by Mr. Erik Hermes, a vote was taken to elect the slate of officers as presented. The vote was unanimous to approve.

VI.     PROPOSED 2023 MEETING SCHEDULE
Chair Baines presented the draft 2023 meeting schedule that was sent to the board members before the meeting. He asked if there was anything to discuss about the dates. He mentioned that there is one change to the draft list of dates, which is to move the December meeting from December 7, 2023, to November 30, 2023, to avoid a conflict with the KCTCS Board of Regents meeting scheduled on December 7, 2023. He called for a motion to approve the 2023 meeting schedule as amended. Upon motion by Mr. Coleman, and seconded by Mr. Brown, a vote was taken to approve the 2023 meeting schedule as amended. The vote was unanimous to approve.

VII.     CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Chair Baines began his presentation by stating that the board has done a great job in advocating for the college and connecting to the community. He said this board has always been good at focusing on the mission of the college. The area the board has not focused on is connection to the business world. As chair, Mr. Baines wants to inform and communicate how to be more effective. He presented slides prepared with contribution by Ms. Christi Godman, Vice President Workforce Solutions.  Mr. Baines spoke about the business engagement areas and companies that Gateway participates with while providing training for leadership skills, customized technical training, incumbent worker and new hire training, and pre-hire assessments. He spoke about the academics and facilities areas that have made significant strides, including investment at the Boone campus integrated manufacturing center and career and technical training labs at the TIE building. Other areas that have advanced are programs complimenting industry needs in supply chain management, health information technology and a biology/genetics pathway in the Gateway2NKU program, and AAS in computer information with four unique tracks, and working with high schools to increase dual credit opportunities. The slide included Tri-ED’s target clusters infographic to show alignment of Gateway’s program developments with local industry needs.

Discussion followed about what is being done to address perceived historical gaps or any that might exist now between the industry trends and Gateway programs. Gateway has made a determined effort to partner with the community in determining program offerings. In the same way that legislative advocacy has developed, board members, faculty, and staff are encouraged to take opportunities to network with and connect Gateway with software companies and other businesses to increase programs or develop additional synergies.

VIII.     PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Figueroa introduced Mr. Paul Tontillo, Associate Vice President, Budget & Fiscal Services, to give an update on fall enrollment and the budget. Mr. Tontillo reported that Gateway’s income is 2% more than what was budgeted for the fall. He said that the fall semester numbers are close to what they were prior to the pandemic. This is due to all employees throughout the college areas working on recruiting, retention and student success. It’s too early to draw conclusions about the spring enrollment numbers, but the trend is that a strong fall sets up for a strong spring semester. The areas of caution that are still being watched are relatively mild growth in credential seeking student enrollment and a small increase in student bad debt amounts. The increased costs of utilities have not had a big impact on expenditures so far this year. The business office will continue to work closely with the finance committee throughout the year.

Discussion followed about the trends in dual credit students and the outlook of state funding. Gateway’s dual credit program is very strong and benefits the region by giving students a head start toward earning degrees. Offering career and technical dual credit classes provides the opportunity for high school students to experience and choose technical programs and careers. Would like to increase the number of students who continue with Gateway as credential seeking students.

Dr. Figueroa reported that the reaffirmation onsite committee visit by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) went very well. He thanked Dr. VonHandorf and the entire team that worked on the two-year process. The committee noted that the board, the students, and both faculty and staff have the mission at heart. The conclusion of the visit was the committee report concerning the core requirements and recommendations. All core standards passed with flying colors with one recommendation concerning the way we assess and document student learning outcomes. It is related to the way KCTCS organizes student learning outcomes across the system. A KCTCS peer group for college SACSCOC liaisons will also be reviewing that standard. We will be refining the number of outcomes that each program has and will report over the next five months what we are doing differently. SACSCOC will rule on that in June with one of two possibilities – a green light or a recommendation to continue with a monitoring report, which would be followed for another six months.

Dr. Figueroa said that Dr. Denise Fritsch has been named the next SACSCOC liaison. Since the team does not want to lose the momentum of this process, meetings will continue bi-annually to be sure we are on track with documentation.

Dr. Figueroa reminded the board that KCTCS President Czarapata will be at Gateway on November 1 to meet with Jefferson President Handy, regional legislators, board members, and Gateway and Jefferson employees. The board is invited to attend the luncheon that begins at 11:30 a.m. The ask for the board on that day will be dual credit. If we are going to increase our college going rate for the future of Kentucky, we must have more than 50% tuition funded by the state for dual credit.

Dr Figueroa pointed out his activities listed in the President’s report that increased the brand of Gateway. He spoke to the Covington Business Council, supported employee success with internal LEAD program, spoke to the Leadership NKY class during their education day, and was master of ceremonies for the NKY Education Council meeting held at Gateway with Dr. Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).   

IX.     ADJOURNMENT
Chair Baines called the meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

Prepared by Ms. Jane Frantz, Recording Secretary

Important Dates to Remember

Board Meeting - December 8, 2022