Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, July 10, 2025 | OCTC

Board of Directors

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, July 10, 2025

OWENSBORO COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Minutes

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Zara Basham, Sharmy Davis, Doug Hoyt, and Pat Jones

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Joan Hayden, Jordan Lanham, and CeCe Robinson

CALL TO ORDER

The OCTC Board of Directors’ meeting was called to order by Chair Doug Hoyt Backstrom at 5:44 p.m. (CST) on July 10, 2025.  The meeting was held in the Administration Board Room.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Due to a lack of a quorum, the minutes were not approved; the May  minutes will be presented for approval during the September meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

President’s Report

Dr. Williams provided the following report: 

  • Zara Basham and Sharmy Davis were recognized for their service on the OCTC Board of Directors as their terms have expired. Beginning in September, Dr. Chad Wilkerson and Sonya Southard will join the Board to represent OCTC’s faculty and staff;
  • Summer enrollment increased 12% in comparison to summer 2024. Fall 2025 enrollment is up 11%, equating to approximately 340 students. Compared to last year we are 134 students shy of serving 5,000 students for the fall semester. To help us serve those students , we’ve launched the “5000 in 2025” program, designed to encourage support of our institutional goals;
  • Ceary Crisp has been hired as director of OCTC’s Career Services. This division has been restructured to focus on career development and readiness. It’s initiative is to connect students with employers early in their programs; and
  • Dr. Shane Armstrong, dean of student success, has organized family friendly events for our students and their families as well as launched a volunteer club to promote student involvement in the community. She has also overseen the restructuring of OCTC’s FYE100 course.
  • Action items of the KCTCS Board of Regents meeting were reviewed:
    • The 2026 budget was approved which included a 2% salary increase for employees and a year of service compression compensation plan;
    • An increase of $6 per credit hour in tuition was approved. Even with this increase, KCTCS is a better value, costing approximately 40% less than in-state public 4 year institutions; 
    • A resolution and revised mission statement for KCTCS was approved to comply with House Bill 4;
    • An update was provided on Senate Bill 181, which addresses communication platforms and interaction with high school students;
  • Federal legislations changes were reviewed to include:
    • Pell eligibility requirements for full-time students has remained the same;
    • Short-term Pell will be available to students enrolled in short-term (8 week) courses with 150 -6000 clock hours in 2026; 
    • Implementation of Risk-Sharing was Removal--Higher education institutions will not be responsible for student loans which are in default.  Gainful employment metrics will be used as a benchmark for higher education in lieu of risk sharing. At this time, we are uncertain of the impact this will have on students receiving SNAP/Medicaid.
  • OCTC has met 13 of the15 performance metrics, ranking OCTC third among the 16 KCTCS colleges. This achievement makes a positive impact on the budget; 
  • An update on capital projects included:
    • The HVAC geothermal renovation for the Campus Center has been completed;
    • Sidewalk leveling has been completed; 
    • Sealing and striping parking lots will begin soon; and
    • The kitchen renovations are nearing completion with the anticipation of securing a food service vendor for the fall semester.
    • The SACSCOC off-site review committee completed their evaluation. Of the 90+ standards, the committee requested additional documentation on only 11 standards. Final touches are being placed on our Quality Enhancement Plan;
  • Graduates in the Surgical Technology program had a 100% pass rate for the 11th consecutive year;
  • Attendance for the spring graduation ceremony had record attendance;
  • OCTC’s TRiO program has been funded for another five years and currently has an enrollment of 150 students; 
  • Innovation Center for HealthForce Kentucky should be completed and operational in January. A consultant has been hired to build a business plan/model, as well as assist with identifying potential grants to support the initiative. Meetings with congressional leaders have taken place with the goal of expanding the program across the Commonwealth; and
  • Congratulations to:
    • Sydney Warren for meeting the annual campaign goal;
    • Dr. Veena Sallan and the Academic Affairs team for a successful pre-evaluation submission, allowing OCTC to apply for a cybersecurity designation program; and 
  • OCTC has been recognized as the Platinum Award recipient in the higher education category for both Owensboro Living and the Messenger- Inquirer Readers’ Choice.

Approved:

Signature on File
Scott Williams, Ph.D. 
President

Signature on File
Doug Hoyt
Chair