Advisory Council Minutes Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Others Present: President Mike White, Jesse Quinlin, Steve Smith, Jeri Estrada, Andrea Orin, Kayelani Kirschbaum, Stephanie Seidl, Lauren Payne, Marci Henry, James Westfield, Jay Younger, Rachelle Davis, Kelly Dyess, Breccen Morelli, Eduardo Estrada, Garret Klaus, Ryann Eurich, Brant Davis, Leslie Weinsheim, and Callie Jones from the Sterling Journal Advocate. 

1. Jaime Jo Axtell, 2023-2024 Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:50 pm.
2. The group participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. The agenda for the April 11, 2024 Advisory Council Meeting. Kevin Blankenship made the motion to approve the agenda and Karla Rosas seconded the motion. The motion passed. 
4. The minutes of the February 8, 2024 Advisory Council Meeting. Karla Rosas made the motion to approve the minutes and Shawn Randel seconded the motion. The motion passed.
5. Mike informed the board that Wade Tyrell resigned for personal reasons, and introduced Jayce Maker who was recently approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education to serve on the NJC Advisory Council.
6. Mike refreshed the council on the email vote done earlier this summer approving Kevin Blankenship as the 2024-2025 Chair and Felicia Rodriquez as the 2024-2025 Vice Chair. There was no additional discussion so the email vote was validated. Kevin and Felicia will assume their duties at the next board meeting. 
7. NEW FACULTY/STAFF INTRODUCTIONS – Jeri Estrada, HR Director
   1. Rachelle Davis introduced Kelly Dyess as new Administrative Assistant
   2. Andrea Orin introduced Kayelani Kirschbaum as new Administrative Assistant and Stephanie Seidl as the new COSI representative
   3. Lisa Werts introduced Mack Land as new Paramedic Faculty (not present)
   4. Marci Henry introduced Emma Meagher as new Athletic Trainer (not present)
   5. Steve Smith introduced Lauren Payne as new assistant registrar and Callie Lauer as new admissions officer (not present)
   6. Mike White introduced Kortnee Dutton as new Yuma Campus Director (not present) and Alicia Kaufman as the new Behavioral Health Career Navigator (not present). 
   7. James Westfield introduced his new assistant Men’s Soccer Coach, Jay Younger.
   8. Jeri Estrada introduced Jaxon Barlow as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Amanda Holmes as new Purchasing Officer, Gabe Weist as the new Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Philip Sims as the new Commercial Driving Program Director, and Jocelyn as a new grounds keeper (none present). 
8. CELEBRATING SUCCESS:
   1. STUDENT SUCCESS
      1. Brant Davis introduced the new ASG Officers, President Breccen Morelli, 1^st Vice President Eduardo Estrada, 2^nd Vice President Garret Klaus and Secretary Ryann Eurich. 
      2. Camille was unavailable to introduce Student Ambassadors due to travel to a college fair. 
9. ITEMS
   1. Enrollment and Housing Update – Steve Smith
      1. As of September 25^th, NJC Enrollment (FTE) is up almost 4.5% over last year.  The Residence Halls are at 84% occupancy, but Steve noted that some students elect single rooms which can skew the percentage down.  Steve noted that the dorms are closer to 95% occupancy when you include the single rooms.  Steve also noted the high engagement with this year’s student population across the many student events.
   2. Graduate Profile – Leslie Weinsheim
      1. Leslie briefed the board on the 2024 Graduate report, which is included as an attachment to these minutes.   
10. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Mike White
    1. Mike emphasized the year over year enrollment growth of almost 9% from 2 years ago, and the efforts across the campus to support enrollment.
    2. The new building on the Applied Technology Campus has been fully framed and the outer walls are being erected. The contractor expects to provide the building to the college in July 2025 for the fall semester. The college will start with an electrician program and grow from there. 
    3. The CDL program is very strong with new leadership. NJC received a grant to purchase another tractor and a trailer that will house a mobile learning lab providing greater reach and opportunity in the region. 
    4. The Paramedic Program continues moving toward accreditation with some strong staff. We hope to reach this milestone in the coming months and begin offering the program.
    5. The Xeriscape program near E.S. French is nearly complete, with more areas on campus to follow.   This will help beautify the campus and reduce water usage.
    6. Mike complimented the ASG team on their recent Constitution Day video and their tremendous success getting students involved in activities.   
    7. Mike noted that our fall athletic teams are performing well, with Volleyball ranked #4 in the nation. The Cheer program has attracted more students and you will see them at basketball games.   The Rodeo team has had several students place in the recent competitions, and Livestock Judging continues to attract a large team.
    8. The new State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education 5-year strategy will be released in December, and some of our council members participated in the listening sessions at the start of the process. We are excited to pursue the new strategy for the State Board!
11. REPORTS
    1. Associated Student Government (ASG) Report – Breccen Morelli
       1. Breccen introduced himself and discussed several events sponsored by the ASG. He noted that there are some new marketing videos being developed. Breccen said that they have a full Senate and Cabinet for the first time in several years and is excited by the student involvement. 
    2. Faculty Senate Report – Deb Stump (not present)
12. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION  
    1. Jesse Quinlin, Marketing Director, shared the upcoming events taking place across campus.
    2. Saturday, September 28, Election Forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce
    3. October 5 (Saturday) – Foundation Donor Breakfast – 9am-11:30am – Ballroom 
    4. November 2 (Saturday) – Athletic Cajun Boil 
    5. November 14 (Thursday) – Advisory Council Meeting – Lunch at noon – Meeting at 12:45pm
13. ADJOURNMENT
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 1:40pm.

​​​​​​​Respectfully Submitted,

Shawn Rose

 Recording Secretary