Advisory Council Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2025

Others Present: President Mike White, Henry Oh, Jeri Estrada, Shawn Rose, Camille Rose, Jesse Quinlin, Auston Hoskins, Leslie Weinsheim, Lisa LeFevre, Vanessa Soliz, David Farrow, Jordan Richards, Heather Brungardt, Grey Feicht, Brendan Clelland, and Callie Jones from the Sterling Journal Advocate.  

1. Felicia Rodriguez, called the meeting to order at 12:48 pm.
2. The group participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. The agenda for the November 13, 2025 Advisory Council Meeting. Jeff Durbin made the motion to approve the agenda and Mike Brownell seconded the motion. The motion passed.
   1. President White moved that the next Advisory Council Meeting scheduled for February 19, 2026 be held as an Executive Session. Details will follow later. This will not be a public meeting. Karla Rosas made the motion to approve the agenda and Mike Brownell seconded the motion. The motion passed.
4. The minutes of the September 25, 2025 Advisory Council Meeting. Mike Brownell made the motion to approve the minutes and Jeff Durbin seconded the motion. The motion passed.
5. ACTION ITEM: Election of Advisory Council Officers
   1. This will be tabled until the next Advisory Council meeting.
6. NEW FACULTY/STAFF INTRODUCTIONS – Jeri Estrada, HR Director

7. CELEBRATING SUCCESS
   1. STUDENT SUCCESS
      1. 2025-2026 Student Ambassadors – Camille Rose
         1. Brendan Clelland (present)– Fire Science Major – from Alberta, Canada
         2. Daniela Garcia – Engineering Major – from Sevilla, Spain
         3. Elyce Sisseck – Biology Major – from Holyoke, Colorado
         4. Grey Feicht (present) – Criminal Justice Major – Westminster, Colorado
         5. Oliver Vaida – Psychology Major – from Northampton, England
         6. Reina Roberts – Agriculture Business Major – from Fruita, Colorado
         7. Sofia Hernanez – Nursing Major – from Puebla, Mexico
         8. Kalissa Weich – Elementary Education Major – from Fort Collins, Colorado
         9. Warre Mondelaers – General Sciences Major – from Korspel, Belgium
         10. Yaly Ben – Computer Science Major – from Tel aviv, Israel 
   2. FACULTY/STAFF SUCCESS
      1. Auston Hoskins – NCMPR District Rising Star – Jesse Quinlin
         1. Auston Hoskins, Northeastern Social Media Coordinator, received a District Rising Star Award at the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations District Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 21-24. The Rising Star Award recognizes newcomers who have demonstrated special creativity or ability in marketing and PR and show evidence of a promising future in the field. It is awarded annually in each of NCMPR’s seven districts, and district winners automatically qualify for consideration for the national award.
8. ITEMS
   1. Graduate Profile – Leslie Weinsheim
      1. Leslie briefed the council on the 2024 Graduate Profile Report, which is can be found on our website at Graduate Profile | Northeastern Junior College. 
   2. Welcome Center Plans – Lisa LeFevre
      1. The Bookstore area will be remodeled and turned into a Welcome Center.
      2. The Bookstore closed on October 10.
      3. Hope to make the new Welcome Center into a “One-Stop Shop” for prospective and new students.
      4. President White worked with the current student services offices to produce a plan.
      5. This is a low-cost recruiting effort.
      6. The demolition has been completed.
      7. The plan is to have it open by the start of spring semester, however, we acknowledge that time is not under our control.
      8. The student ambassadors will have an office in the Welcome Center and will greet visitors.
      9. Lisa handed out the blueprints of what the new Welcome Center will look like when completed. 
   3. Rural Colorado Career Expo on November 19 – Vanessa Soliz
      1. NJC will host the Rural Colorado Career Expo on November 19, 2025. This is a great opportunity for high school and college students to connect with employers for career and industry exploration in rural Colorado.
      2. For Attendees:
         1. Students and the community can explore future career possibilities. Top employers will be grouped by industry, waiting to showcase the exciting opportunities in their fields. Participants will have the chance to rotate through each area, getting hands-on experiences with interactive activities that will bring real job duties to life. Whether it is tech, healthcare, trades, or beyond, this is your student’s chance to explore, ask questions, and discover where their passions truly lie.
      3. For Potential Partners:
         1. Here is your opportunity to tap interact with the brightest young minds from the local high schools and NJC's campus. A dynamic event to connect directly with motivated future employees who are eager to explore careers located in their rural communities. It is more than just networking; it is about discovering future talent, discussing potential sponsorships, internships, and creating excitement around your business. Exchange contact details, schedule interviews, and witness firsthand the next generation of innovators who could drive your company forward. Seize this chance to build meaningful relationships and shape the future of your workforce.
         2. 760 High School students will be on campus as well as 73 employers from all over including Texas and South Dakota.
         3. Looking into internship possibilities for our students.
9. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Mike White
   1. Aspen Institute Award
      1. The Aspen Institute named three Colorado Community College System institutions – Northeastern Junior College, Pueblo Community College and Trinidad State College among the Top 200 U.S. Community Colleges eligible to compete for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. This year marks the first time three CCCS colleges have earned a spot on the Aspen Institute’s Top 200 list, reflecting the exceptional quality, innovation, and impact of Colorado’s rural community colleges. The distinction recognizes institutions with strong and improving outcomes in student success, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s degree attainment rates.We are eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize.
   2. Fall Enrollment
      1. Our fall enrollment is currently up about 4%.
   3. Athletics
      1. Our volleyball team won the Region IX Tournament and are headed to Nationals next week in Clarksville, Tennessee.
      2. Both our Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams missed the regional tournament by one point.
      3. Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball and Wrestling seasons are underway.
   4. ATC Open House
      1. The ATC Open House that took place on October 28 was a success. President White hopes this event will serve as a recruitment event.
   5. NJC New Strategic Plan
      1. President White and a Strategic Plan Committee have been meeting for a year to work on a new NJC Strategic Plan. This plan will align with the new CCCS Strategic Plan. The new plan is finalized. Marketing is making the material for the new plan. It will be released soon.
   6. Student Trends
      1. Ten years ago, our students’ trends were 95% in-person classes and 5% online classes. Today’s trends are 82% in-person classes and 18% online classes. This shows the change in the needs of our current students.
   7. Workforce Pell Grants
      1. Part of the H.R.1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act is Workforce Pell Grants. Current Pell Grants are only eligible for students who demonstrate financial need and who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible school.
      2. Workforce Pell Grants are a new type of federal financial aid designed to support students in short-term, high-quality training programs that lead to careers in high-skill, high-wage jobs. Eligible programs must be at least 150 clock hours but less than 600 clock hours, offer a recognized credential, and meet strict criteria for completion and job placement rates. These grants, authorized starting July 1, 2025, aim to expand access to workforce development and count toward a student's lifetime Pell Grant eligibility.
      3. President White believes this will provide new opportunities for our students in our certificate programs such as our CDL Program.
      4. This new opportunity combined with our newly remodeled ATC building is exciting.
10. REPORTS
    1. Associated Student Government (ASG) Report – Brant Davis, Residence Life Director
       1. Trick or Treat Street
          1. We had 370 children from the community come.
       2. Mentalist
          1. We had about 100 students attend, it was a great show.
       3. CCCS Student Leadership Conference
          1. The ASG Officers are attending this Friday and Saturday.
    2. Faculty Senate Report – Report by Ashley Marostica – read by President White
       1. The Faculty Senate has held two meetings since the start of the academic year, with the most recent one taking place on Thursday, October 30th.
          1. Faculty members have been actively engaging with questions from President Mike and VPAA Henry Oh. Faculty are dedicated to continually seeking ways to make NJC an outstanding choice for students pursuing their two-year degrees, as well ensuring NJC is a supportive and rewarding environment for faculty and staff.
          2. Our next meeting is scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving. During this session, we will hold elections for a new secretary and begin gathering nominations for both Full-Time and Adjunct Faculty of the Year.
11. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
    1. Jesse Quinlin, Director of Marketing, reported upcoming campus events:
       1. November 14 & 15 – Desserts on Broadway – 7:00pm – ESF Theater
       2. November 17 – International Holiday Market – 4:00pm-7:00pm – ESF Atrium  
       3. November 18 – Phi Theta Kappa OCC Box Packing Party – 6:00pm – ESF Atrium
       4. November 19 – Rural CO Career Expo – 8:30am-3:00pm – Aux Gym
       5. November 19 – Murder Mystery Party – 5:00pm – ESF Atrium
       6. December 2 – Beef Boosters Hamburger Night at Basketball Games – 5:30pm – Event Center
       7. December 6 – Winter Ensemble Concert – 6:00pm – ESF Theater
12. ADJOURNMENT
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 1:33 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Shawn Rose

Recording Secretary