BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger, BOT Chair Carolyn Collins, BOT Vice-Chair David Coker, and BOT Secretary Bob Olvey at the September quarterly meeting
Black River Technical College (BRTC) Board of Trustees (BOT) recently met for their quarterly meeting on the Paragould BRTC campus.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine reported to the board that the Arkansas Community Colleges recognized BRTC Welding Instructor Rickie Gunn as BRTC’s outstanding staff member. The practical nursing to registered nursing transition has been approved and classes are to begin in January at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. The class is filling up quickly. He also noted that BRTC hosted the Arkansas Deans Association conference with members of BRTC staff serving as panelists.
Rhonda Stone, Vice President of Finance and Administration, shared financial reports with the board showing current reserves and final accounting of the 2022-2023 academic year. She remarked on the college’s reserve funds, “We are currently at 90.5 percent of our goal of one year’s operating funds.” Stone also presented a list of current, completed, and upcoming projects, which included landscaping.
Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Smith reported BRTC enrollment is down eight percent in semester credit hours, which was expected after the recent thirteen percent increase. He said the bulk of the decrease can be accounted for with the recent discontinuation of ARNEC, and night practical nursing classes, and also a smaller Law Enforcement Training Academy this semester. He stated he expects growth in the Spring 2024 semester. “Even with those decreases we are still ahead of 2021 and 2022,” said Smith.
Dr. Karen Liebhaber, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, reported the 30th Annual BRTC Foundation Golf Tournament will be held September 29 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Pocahontas. The tournament has record sponsorship with $53,000 raised thus far and 28 four-star sponsorships. The Annual Holocaust Survivor Series is scheduled for October 18 and 19 on the BRTC Pocahontas campus. She added she has been meeting with legislators weekly and has hired a Marketing Specialist.
Executive Director of Human Resources Julie Edington shared a long list of new hires including Financial Aid Advisor Shane Copeland, Administrative Specialist Rachel Hobbs, Machine Tool Technology Instructor Stephen Wright, Agriculture Instructor Ronnie Hinson, Marketing Specialist Michael Guthrey, Administrative Specialist Cami Alexander, Adult Education Instructor Chris Wagoner, Academic Advisor Dr. Zachary Singleton, Chief of Police Jim Hartness, and part-time Human Resources Assistant Tiffany Owens. She also presented a list of positions currently open and advertised.
Sissy Gray, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, informed the BOT on June 6 the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission provided formal reaffirmation of BRTC’s accreditation.
Priscilla Stillwell, executive Director of Paragould Operations, reported the 80-hour steel-making boot camp will run a pilot course in September kicking off BRTC’s partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College. The course would give students the potential to enter into a six-figure income position upon completion of the course.
In other business the board:
- Approved BRTC’s 2023-2024 student handbook
- Approved tuition and fee adjustments taking effect in Spring 2024
- Approved updated and revised wording in policies and procedures
- Recognized the G.I.N. in Paragould as an additional instructional location
The next scheduled BOT meeting will be held December 14, 2023 in Pocahontas.