October 24, 2024, Agenda and Minutes

Workforce Solutions Conference Room 121, Classroom and Training Building
500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042
Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Agenda

1. 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.
2. MISSION MOMENT
   Dr. Figueroa introduced a previously recorded message from Gateway student Lisa Badger. She has been a student since December 2022. With a current 3.96 GPA, she is a Human Services major and will earn a bachelor’s degree in social work at NKU. Her goal is to be a substance abuse and addiction counselor after obtaining her Masters. She is the mother of four.  She shared her story of growing up in an abusive home, getting sober in foster care, graduating high school, marrying and becoming a mother, and finding support at Gateway as she pursues a degree. She thanked everyone on the board and at Gateway for making it possible for her to improve her family’s life.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   Chair Baines called for a motion to approve the minutes from the September 5, 2024, meeting. Upon motion by Col Owens, and seconded by Olivia Keller, a vote was taken to approve the September 5, 2024, minutes as presented. The vote was unanimous to approve.
4. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
   Chair Baines expressed gratitude for the experience of being the board chair for four years. He is thankful for the trust the board put in him and looking forward to serving in a different capacity moving forward.
5. ANNUAL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE
   The committee statements of purpose were presented as the same ones that were submitted in 2023. There are new committee chairs, and they may update the committee statements in the following year.
6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
   Chair Baines and Nominating Committee Chair Coleman shared the nominated slate of officers as Larry Brown for Chair, Michelle Hughes for Vice Chair, and John Baines for Secretary. Chair Baines called for votes by office. Each vote was unanimous with all in favor. They became effective immediately.
7. PROPOSED 2025 MEETING SCHEDULE
   Chair Brown asked if there were any conflicts with the dates on the proposed 2025 meeting schedule. The May and August/September dates were discussed, with agreement on May 22 and Sept. 11. A motion to approve the 2025 meeting dates as February 13, April 10, May 22, September 11, October 23, and December 11 was made by John Baines and second by Michelle Hughes. The vote was unanimous to approve.
   Chair Brown thanked John Baines for serving and leading the board through Covid. He said that he is proud of participating at Gateway, which is the leading college in the area. He mentioned the need to serve students in counties other than the closest three in Gateway’s region. People in more remote areas of the state also want good career-ready jobs, and he would like Gateway to be an option for them. Transportation was discussed as one of the challenges.
   Chair Brown said that he would like to get information from each of the board members about what they want to see accomplished or studied. He would like to look at solutions outside of the box at every meeting. He said that Gateway needs to have an image built and supported by additional marketing.
8. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
   Dr. Fernando Figueroa introduced Dr. Von Handorf, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Von Handorf announced that Gateway has achieved record breaking fall enrollment and thanked all of the team members that made this possible. Discussion followed concerning recruiting strategies and school districts.
   Dr. Figueroa gave a recap of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) work to respond to Senate Joint Resolution 179 (SJR 179). Gateway’s commitment to the mission is how we reach people where they are to meet their needs. Conversation followed concerning YouScience aptitude testing for students in high schools.
   Dr. Figueroa introduced Vice President of Student Affairs Ingrid Washington to present the Get to Know Gateway session 2 on Who We Serve. Ingrid and Sarah Young, Gateway Coordinator of Community Resources shared data about Gateway students, financial aid, and non-academic barriers. Food insecurity is the top reported non-academic barrier for students, and the Food for Thought pantry is accessible at each campus. Gateway provides a full range of support services including tutoring, accessibility services, counseling, housing referrals, childcare support, financial and legal services, technology and food. Gateway collaborates with many community partners such as the Community Action Commission, Brighton Center, Samaritan Car Clinic, and Welcome House.
9. ADJOURNMENT
   Chair called the meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.