Members of the Arkansas Northeastern College Board of Trustees met Wednesday, June 19, 2024, for their regularly scheduled meeting, where members approved The Wilson Facility Usage Committee’s recommendation that the college occupy the donated facilities in Wilson Arkansas.
The Wilson Facility was developed into The Delta School in 2014 by Gaylon Lawrence and his family. In the spring of 2024, Gaylon Lawrence generously offered this facility as a gift to the Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) Foundation. The facilities total approximately 40,000 square feet under-roof and is located on approximately 30 acres. The property is valued at $29 million. Following the initial offer for the facility’s donation, the Wilson Facility Usage Committee was established to evaluate the best uses for this tremendous asset. Through a series of comprehensive meetings and facility tours, and leveraging insights gained from a detailed member survey, the committee has formulated strategic recommendations for the facility's use. The primary focus has been on aligning the facility's use with ANC’s mission to support both the educational framework and the local community's economic needs. The committee proposes that the Wilson Facility be utilized to host industry-specific training programs, particularly for the steel industry and agricultural technology, reflecting the economic backdrop of Mississippi County. Additionally, the facility is ideal for community and educational events, dual credit and early college programs, and could serve as a new hub for agricultural programs that may lead to further educational and community collaboration. The discussions have also outlined several challenges, including the need for sustainable funding, maintenance, and operational scalability. However, these are viewed as manageable with strategic planning and community engagement.
ANC Vice President for Student Affairs Mindy Walker, presented the Board with a report of summer enrollment. The College a significant increase in enrollment for the summer with a headcount of 469 compared to 411 in 2023, and with 2,056 credit hours being taken this summer compared to 1,825 in the summer of 2023. Students still have time to enroll for the fall term.
In other news the Board approved the Blue and You Capacity Building Grant for the 100 Families Initiative grant award for fiscal year 2024-25. Restore Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce incarceration and the need for foster care through a community-driven approach. Restore Hope works with individuals and organizations from the private, public, and social sectors to work together toward building better communities within the state. This nonprofit was established in 2015 and began the 100 Families Initiative in 2018 in Sebastian County, AR. In the past three years, the 100 Families Initiative has been launched in Pulaski, Crawford, and White Counties. 100 Families is a community-wide initiative that uses existing community resources to help struggling communities and families. The 100 Families Initiative accomplishes this mission by training organizations in collective impact, using a collaborative case management system for analyzing data and outcomes, and training and recruiting case managers within existing organizations to provide holistic case management. This initiative strives to coordinate existing services in a community so that more families in crisis are more quickly able to become stable and ultimately thrive and find careers. Arkansas Northeastern College has been issued a grant award for approximately $60,000 to launch the 100 Families Initiative in Mississippi County, which will cover salary and fringe for a case manager position and software to provide holistic case management. Restore Hope is the grantor of a Blue and You Capacity Building Grant for the 100 Families Initiative. The Blue and You Foundation is stepping in and providing seed funds in Mississippi County. The grant is normally funded by TANF through the Department of Human Services and should be provided through TANF in subsequent years.
The Board also approved acceptance of the Adult Education Grant award and approval of its 2024-2025 budget, authorization of existing Adult Education positions and the addition of two full-time Adult Education Instructors. The College received notification of grant continuation from the Arkansas Department of Career Education for the Adult Education program in the 2024-2025 academic year. This award includes funding of five grants to be used solely for Mississippi County. These funds include: ABE: $184,263.97 GAE: $137,372.83 D&E: $76,401.54 C&I: $45,000 Special Projects: $27,339.85.
A personnel report was given and the Board welcomed new employee Jennifer Perkins as the newest ETS Advisor. Additionally, Kammie McGee will become the Executive Assistant to the Board/President, and Dianne Miller Assistant Professor/Associate Degree Nursing Instructor. Several promotions, to begin July 1, 2024, were announced, including: Courtney Fisher as Chief of Staff to the President, Jennifer Johnson as Associate Vice President for Finance, Tonya Pankey as Associate Dean, Allied Health, Mariana Reyes as Controller, and Willie Williams as Director of Outreach.
The Board also approved the retirement of Marlene Banks, a long-time employee who served as Assistant to the Board of Trustees and President. Dr. Heigle commended Banks for her unwavering dedication and invaluable support during his transition into the presidency. The Board echoed Dr. Heigle's sentiments, expressing gratitude for Banks' outstanding 21-year tenure with heartfelt appreciation.
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