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June 24, 2026

The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Board of Trustees met in a regular session on June 24, 2026, beginning at 3:30 PM. Trustees present were Mike Bush, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Joel Newburn, Lance Porter, Forrest Spicher, Renee Westfall, and Raymond Wright.

Staff, faculty members, and guests present were Michael Courtney, Sarah Day, Wade Derden, Kelli Embry, Kathy Flournoy, Jessica Gilbert, Nicole Herndon, Brad Hopper, Brian Kroening, Shannon LaDuke, Tyanna Lindsey, Jennifer Lyons, Mark Oliver, Scott Post, Emily Pyland, Kristin Quintanilla, Bill Ritter, Elise Sanders, Rev Dr Marjorie Scott, Collin Slaton, Jenny Slaton, Bill Solleder, Kristin Thompson, Darla Thurber, and Megan Wheeler.

The media was notified of the meeting. Brandon Smith with the Sentinel Record was in attendance.

Chair Jim Hale opened the meeting with a welcome at 3:30 PM.

Sarah Day took roll call. A quorum was present.

Trustee Reverend Dr. Marjorie Scott with Visitor’s Chapel provided the invocation.

Sarah Day introduced Jessica Ellis, NPC Director of College Success & Career Services. Ellis introduced both Bill Solleder with Visit Hot Springs and the Student Spotlight recipient, Elise Sanders, a former intern for Visit Hot Springs.

Items for Action

1. Trustee Bush motioned to approve the May 27, 2026, regular meeting minutes as presented. Trustee Wright seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
2. Trustee Spicher motioned to approve the May 2026 financial statements as presented by Megan Wheeler, NPC Controller, during the Finance Committee Meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Trustee Westfall motioned to approve the June Personnel Ratifications as presented by Kathy Flournoy, NPC Director of Human Resources. Trustee Bush seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
4. Trustee Spicher motioned to approve amended NPC Policy 4.320, Search Committee Process, as presented by VP Kelli Embry. Trustee Bush seconded the motion. Questions were asked and answered. The motion for approval passed unanimously.
5. Trustee Wright motioned to approve amended NPC Policy 4.330, Employment and Separation, as presented by VP Kelli Embry. Trustee Spicher seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Items for Report

1. Trustee Wright asked Brad Hopper, NPC Associate Vice President of Campus Operations, to provide the Building and Campus Development report. Mr. Hopper provided a PowerPoint presentation that included an update on the new welding facility and the activities of both the Maintenance and Custodial staff.
2. NPC Project/Program Manager of Residence Life & Housing, TyAnna Lindsey, provided an NPC Res Life report and the transition of residential facility oversight from Servitas to NPC.
3. President’s Report – President Derden reported that fall enrollment and NPC Summer Camps are underway. He recognized Dr. Samantha Christian and Diane Johnson for their extensive work over the past year in preparing the College's Higher Learning Commission (HLC) institutional accreditation review, noting that the process is in its final stages with submission scheduled for July. President Derden also recognized Student Spotlight recipient Elise Sanders and Bill Solleder of Visit Hot Springs for their participation in the meeting and expressed his appreciation for the College's community partners whose investment in students helps prepare the next generation of professionals.
4. New Business – Chair Hale expressed appreciation for the continued emphasis on sharing student success stories during Board meetings and thanked the administration for the update on the College's Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation process. He shared that during a recent hospital stay, five of the six nurses who cared for him were graduates of NPC's nursing program, noting it as a meaningful example of the College's impact on the community. Chair Hale also reminded trustees of the NPC Welding Facility Grand Opening on September 23, which will be held prior to the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting.

Chair Hale asked for further comment from the trustees.

• Trustee Harrington congratulated Trustee Porter on the birth of a new grandchild.
• Trustee Spicher expressed his appreciation for Visit Hot Springs and their partnership with NPC.
• Trustee Westfall expressed her excitement for the future of NPC welding program. At 4:17 PM, Trustee Westfall motioned to adjourn the meeting.

Jim Hale, Chair
Raymond Wright, Secretary/Treasurer