Black River Technical College (BRTC) Board of Trustees recently held their quarterly meeting on the Pocahontas BRTC campus.
Vice president of Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine reported approximately 600 certificates and degrees are expected to be handed out at the BRTC commencement on May 11.
Vice President Rhonda Stone reported the addition of Shannon Jacobson to the IT department and Kim Riddle to the finance department. She reported that different areas of the college have applied for grants, including a Delta Workforce Grant to update welding labs. She reported that the finance department is still working with insurance to cover the freezing damage that occurred in January, which caused approximately $75,000 in damage.
Stone also advised that The Armory at BRTC in Piggott is on schedule. “Hytrol conveyor parts were delivered yesterday,” she said. “The team is getting ready to put those together and we anticipate welders. Other items needed to complete the site are expected to be delivered end of May, beginning of June.
Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Smith reported a new hire in the Student Affairs office. Dr. Zachary Singleton has been added to the department as an academic advisor.
He reported two successful events.
“We had a great pacific Island Cultural Day with 18 students in attendance and a few of them have already filled out applications,” Smith said.
Also, the Making Waves Beach Bash recently held on the Paragould campus was attended by 200 faculty, staff, and students. He added that the student Government Association signed a resolution for a fitness center on the Pocahontas campus, the fourth legacy project from the SGA.
Smith reported that early enrollment is strong with a 10.59 percent increase from this time last year. Pre-registration is off to a great start, he added. The Student Affairs recruitment team took the initiative to travel to local high schools and help seniors enroll or apply was very successful with 102 seniors applying to BRTC.
Vice President of Institutional Advancement Karen Liebhaber reported that the BRTC enrollment tracker is up and running for faculty, staff, and the board to see enrollment movement in real time.
Executive Director of Human Resources Julie Edington reported that the majority of vacant employment positions have been filled, and a small amount remain advertised to fill. She also noted that several interviews are underway. She also said the Employee Activities Board have revamped milestone awards.
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness Sissy Gray reported that the Higher Learning Commission has finished its review of accreditation and BRTC met all requirements with no exception.
Executive Director of Paragould Operations Priscilla Stillwell reported that the Paragould campus has seen many updates over the past few months in its welding and robotics labs.
In other business:
- The board approved a resolution to recognize changes to the academic curriculum. Precision agriculture was removed, and an LPN to RN bridge pathway was added.
- The board approved the budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.
- The board approved an update to Policy 6152, which gives 12-month, fulltime, non-faculty employees career services.
- The board tabled a vote on the 2023-2024 course catalog at the bequest of BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger.
- The board approved personnel employment for the fiscal year of 2023-2024.
- Provisional employment was also approved by the Board.