Members of the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board were advised May 16 that Northland Pioneer College has been actively searching for its next president.
Chief Operations Officer Jason Foutz explained that the RFP (request for proposal) has been sent out in hopes of find a hiring firm to assist in the search. As of the meeting time, there had been no response, or inquiry to the RFP. Foutz explained the reputation of firms to be late in response and said he expected some activity by the end of the week. The new president would take over for Dr. Jeanne Swarthout, who will leave the position in July 2018.
The concern of fielding a diverse volunteer committee for vetting applicants for the position this month as President Swarthout asked if it was within her realm to “appoint volunteers.”
District 5 board member Derrick Leslie offered his opinion, stating, “Volunteers will be more productive if they are willing, as opposed to appointed.”
The board recognized faculty members who have reached emeritus status. Both Janice Cortina (Adult Basic Education) and Dana Jolly (Nursing) were nominated by their peers to receive their emeritus status with less than the usual 15 years of service to NPC. Also recognized was Record and Registration Clerk Elizabeth Batson. None of the award recipients were in attendance due to previous engagements or illness, but the movement to recognize them carried unanimously.
Also on the agenda were the approval of $81,315 for the purchase of new routers to replace outdated technology, the approval of $209,908 to continue a contract with Jenzabar, a heavily used student information system, and the approval of $76,765 to improve the network security systems used throughout NPC. All motions carried unanimously, with board members Daniel Peaches, and George Joe excused from the meeting.
The Higher Learning Commission presented a review of financial ratios, showing them to be on track or above for 2015-16, and explaining that NPC carries zero debt. The college has been consistently above the benchmarks for budget and spending since 2009, and that is expected to continue.
Also presented was the annual report from the Strategic Planning Committee, which touched on the topic of transportation to and from NPC campuses.
Vice President of Learning and Student Services Mark Vest assured the board there would be further investigation into the transportation issues facing the college and will present a report by the end of the week.
Swarthout also noted the burgeoning plans in Winslow to develop a transit system and suggested looking into a partnership.
NPC Friends and Family Director Betsyann Wilson advised the governing board of the success of the golf tournament held April 30. The tournament raised $10,600 for scholarships to NPC students. This year 15 teams took part in the tournament held at Silver Creek Golf Course at White Mountain Lakes.
NPC Friends and Family will host a Disc Golf Tournament on Aug. 12 to raise scholarship funds for NPC students who are veterans. Registration for the event has begun at www.npc.edu/discgolf.
All are invited to participate, whether professional or amateur. The Snowflake Municipal Golf Course will host the event at the Four Seasons Course.
Scholarships awarded through the Fill the Gaps and Leg Up Programs have some funding still available. The additional money will be used to fund a scholarship to a student in the newly established Pharmacy Technician Training at the Snowflake Campus.
The next regular meeting of the governing board will be held June 20, with no meeting scheduled for July.
