North Central Missouri College President Dr. Lenny Klaver provided an update on fall enrollment at the NCMC Board of Trustees meeting on August 27.
He reported that, as of a Missouri Community College Association president’s virtual meeting on August 7, NCMC’s enrollment was up by 7% in headcount and 4% in credit hours. By August 26, those rates had increased, with a 10% rise in headcount and a 7% increase in credit hours.
Klaver noted that, including high school students, the fall headcount at the end of the add/drop period was 1,815, and credit hours totaled 18,012. Excluding high school students, the fall headcount was 1,314, with 15,589 credit hours.
Fall classes began on August 19. Klaver visited the Trenton and Savannah campuses and observed that parking lots were full, including the gravel lots that had been added. He noted excitement on both campuses.
He shared information with the Chronicle of Higher Education about move-in day at NCMC, highlighting athletes who helped with the process, which led to recognition for NCMC in the publication. Klaver clarified that he did not send the information to boast but to show that there is something special about the college.
Klaver reported that NCMC will send two participants to the MCCA Leadership Academy: Director of Financial Aid Kimberly Meeker and Information Technology Senior Database Manager Tami Campbell. He noted that everyone who has previously attended the Leadership Academy had a positive experience.
Klaver attended the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Work Group meeting on August 13, and the group was scheduled to meet again via Zoom on August 28. Klaver mentioned that the group’s new focus is on core funding and has also discussed performance funding.
He reported that the task force comprises 34 people and stated that, while he does not say much, he listens.
He mentioned speaking with State Representative Brenda Shields about incentive funding.
NCMC’s Plan 2025 was discussed at the college’s convocation on August 15, with an emphasis on access, excellence, and impact. There is a focus on “uncommon attention.”
He noted that “uncommon attention” was also the theme at an Administrative Council meeting on August 27. He believed everyone had something meaningful to say about it and that uncommon attention makes a difference.
Klaver expressed satisfaction with NCMC’s leadership team and believes people are committed to the college.
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kristen Alley said the college is engaging in outreach and making phone calls, which aligns with the uncommon attention it provides.
Alley reported that there were 124 NCMC graduates this summer.
She believes NCMC had a great start to the semester and that move-in day went smoothly. There are international students on the Trenton campus this fall.
Alley reported that NCMC is partnering with the League of Women Voters for “Pirates to the Polls” to encourage students to vote.
Student Senate elections are scheduled for August 28.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tristan Londre thinks the semester has started well.
He reported that testing has been busy managing Accuplacer testing, now conducted in Trenton, Savannah, and more than a dozen regional high schools.
Student Support Services reported that recruitment is going well and appreciates referrals from staff, faculty, and students. Londre noted that SSS is about 11% ahead of schedule on intakes for new students compared to the previous year.
Upward Bound recruitment is also underway, with visits planned for Trenton, Chillicothe, Tri-County, Hamilton, Gallatin, and Brookfield.
Londre said that Upward Bound and SSS staff members plan to attend a regional TRIO conference in Kansas City this fall.
He reported that Institutional Research is addressing new gainful employment regulations for fall reporting.
NCMC is preparing for a routine Higher Learning Commission multi-location visit to the Savannah and Barton Farm campuses this fall on a date to be determined.
Chief Information Officer Jennifer Triplett provided updates on Information Technology Services for the past month.
She said that the start of the fall term was a primary focus, and IT Services took steps to ensure a successful start. These steps included collaborating with vendors to upgrade and prepare classroom technology. An IT Services frontline support team arrived early at the Trenton and Savannah campuses on the first day of classes to prepare classroom technology for faculty. Other steps included offering a mobile IT help desk in Geyer Hall and at the Savannah Campus during the first days of the term to provide in-person support for students. Triplett said the IT Services team effectively managed increased call volume and support requests as students and faculty returned.
She reported that IT Services worked with vendors to upgrade identity management integrations for NCMC’s document imaging and electronic forms software. This upgrade is a prerequisite for additional feature enhancements Softdocs will offer to the college in the coming months.
IT Services also launched a new student cybersecurity training campaign for the 2024-2025 school year. Triplett said the campaign was announced via an introductory email to students on August 23, with enrollment notifications beginning on August 26. She noted that the training is a student benefit NCMC began offering last fall.
Green Hills Head Start Director Sue Ewigman reported that classes for Head Start began on August 21. She noted that some centers would have a delayed start and that most open houses are complete.
Regarding playgrounds at the Unionville and Milan centers, Ewigman reported that the Unionville Kiwanis Club wants to donate $5,000 for the playground at the Unionville Center, with a state grant possibly matching the amount.
She added that a supplemental grant also came through for the playgrounds.
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved the tax levy for 2024-2025 on August 27. The rate was set at 39.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Board President Chris Hoffman noted that revenue from the tax levy constitutes less than 3% of NCMC’s budget.
The board approved a revision to the open records request policy after a second reading. Changes were made to the policy following its first reading at the previous meeting. Board Member Don Dalrymple proposed the changes in July.
Information from Registrar Joni Oaks indicates that the revision involves a more detailed policy, including procedures for making a request, timelines for receiving information, potential fees and conditions when they would be assessed, and actions and responsibilities of the NCMC custodian of records. The policy also provides guidance for those requesting information and the custodian of records to ensure all requests are handled consistently.
The secretary/clerk to the board of trustees remains the named custodian of records. However, the new policy clarifies that the custodian of records, in most cases, will need to consult with other departments to provide requested information.
The board approved a request from Information Technology Services to renew NCMC’s service contract with MOREnet. The cost for continued membership and services is $43,384.86 for the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Chief Information Officer Jennifer Triplett reported that the cost is lower than last year, noting that MOREnet is proactive in finding discounts. The Computer Operations Budget will cover the cost.
Triplett noted that, in addition to membership benefits, MOREnet is NCMC’s provider for internet service to the main, Barton, and Savannah campuses and provides the college’s Akamai cybersecurity solution.
The board approved a bid to renovate the former Derry Practice Facility to repurpose the building for golf team use and general storage. The bid from Destiny Builders of Trenton was for $169,000. Vice President of Business and Finance Tyson Otto reported that the NCMC Foundation would fund the renovation.
He noted that Destiny Builders’ bid was the only one received and that the company has worked on other projects in Trenton. The project cost was in line with estimates.
The board approved purchasing sole-source equipment for the college’s post-secondary Skills USA competition team. The equipment package, including accessories and curriculum, is quoted at $47,260. Depco Enterprises is the regional sole supplier for Intelitek integrated equipment and the only available source/distributor.
Information from Director of Business and Industry Relations Jason Helton indicated that the NCMC Foundation raised $15,000 for the purchase. An additional private donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has agreed to fund the remaining cost.
The robot and equipment included in the package can also be used in NCMC’s Robotics classes for additional applied learning opportunities.
The board approved personnel matters, including the internal transfer of Angela Heins of Trenton from Student Support Services Academic Advisor to SSS Assistant Director. She began the position on August 1.
Darla Shipley of Chillicothe was hired as the Workforce Development Board Compliance Coordinator, starting September 9.
Christopher Bond was employed as an adjunct instructor for communication courses, beginning this fall.
Michaela Foster of Humphreys was hired as a clinical adjunct instructor.
Troy Marshall of Savannah was hired as a custodian/maintenance technician at the Savannah Campus, starting September 9.
The board also approved Green Hills Head Start personnel items, including the employment of Alexis Stewart-Lewis as a Bethany teacher aide, Amaris Jennings as a Daviess/Grundy County home visitor, and Marsha Phillips as the Chillicothe Center director. Their first day of employment was August 13. Additional hires included Britney Cranmer as a Caldwell County home visitor, starting on August 6, and Makina Limkemann as a Trenton teacher aide, starting on August 7.
Lily Sittner was transferred from a teacher aide to a teacher at the Bethany Head Start Center, effective July 30.
Malikie Graves’ resignation was approved as a Bethany teacher aide, with his last day of employment on July 18. Tegan Ziebarth’s resignation was also accepted as a Chillicothe teacher, with August 23 being his last day of employment.
