Advisory Council Minutes Thursday, September 25, 2025

Others Present: President Mike White, Henry Oh, David Farrow, Jesse Quinlin, Jeri Estrada, Brant Davis, Lane Stevens, Mason Bornhoft, Cash Weber, Ashley Marostica, Kelli Gandee, Julie Brower, Andy Bartlett, Angela Hutt-Swedlund, Amanda Kerker, Rylee Nelson, Annie Shalla, Rebeka Scheiderer, Tammy Armstrong, Lisa LeFevre, Lauren Rice, Camille Rose, Chad Borgmann, Andrew De Souza, and Callie Jones from the Sterling Journal Advocate. 

1. Karla Rosas, called the meeting to order at 12:48 pm.
2. The group participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. The agenda for the September 25, 2025 Advisory Council Meeting. Shawn Randell made the motion to approve the agenda and Jeff Durbin seconded the motion. The motion passed.
4. The minutes of the April 10, 2025 Advisory Council Meeting. Shawn Randell made the motion to approve the minutes and Jeff Durbin seconded the motion. The motion passed.
5. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER

   1. Jeff will be a voice for our small, rural communities and schools. As the Superintendent of the Plateau School District which represents Peetz, Colorado, he inspires his students and staff. Jeff's career in education spans over 30 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent. His teaching experience is in career-technical education so we are excited to get his perspectives as we open the new Applied Technology building.  

      Jeff's outstanding results as the superintendent led to this nomination. President White has worked with him as a superintendent at Northeast BOCES where he is recognized as a leader and thinker in the world of education. At Peetz School, he has developed programs that resulted in a 100% graduation rate and 79% participation rate in postsecondary education. He has instituted innovative programs using Chromebooks and supported full-day kindergarten. Finally, he successfully applied for and received a BEST grant to revitalize his school building. Jeff's many successes in education, and his valuable rural educator perspective fills the gap on our council as a result of Jamie Jo's Axtell’s departure. Jeff announced the Open House at the new Peetz school on January 6th, 2026’

6. ACTION ITEM: Election of Advisory Council Officers
   1. Item deferred until next meeting for more members
7. NEW FACULTY/STAFF INTRODUCTIONS – Jeri Estrada, HR Director

8. CELEBRATING SUCCESS
   1. STUDENT SUCCESS
      1. Introduction of Associated Student Government Officers – Brant Davis
         1. Brant introduced new officers and complimented them on the early work this year!
   2. FACULTY/STAFF SUCCESS
      1. Faculty/Staff Degree Awards – President White
         1. Camille Rose – Doctorate
         2. Chad Borgmann – Master’s
         3. Andrew De Souza – Master’s
9. ITEMS
   1. Honor’s Capstone Presentation – Cole Haley
      1. Housing Update – Brant Davis
         1. Presented Fall Housing Report
      2. Applied Technology Campus (ATC) Open House – David Farrow
         1. David announced Open House event on October 28th and described the tour to follow today’s Advisory Council meeting.
10. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Mike White
    1. Enrollment Trends
       1. NJC is up about 2.5% from last year, showing growth in both tuition students and concurrent enrollment. Positive trend continues over the last few years.
    2. CCCS Strategy – Economic Mobility
       1. Introduced the new CCCS strategy with Economic Mobility as the “North Star”.   Announced the upcoming board meeting to develop metrics for the new strategy.
    3. NJC Strategy Plan Development
       1. Briefly described the NJC strategy development process and announced that the NJC strategy should be released at the end of October 2025.
    4. Financial Picture
       1. NJC is stable financially, but challenges with state budgets may affect college in the coming years. Currently, we have built a healthy reserve that will allow us to start the next major project – a Welcome Center. This project, using the space currently occupied by the Bookstore, will combine all of the key elements for registration including admissions, financial aid and registration providing a warm and welcoming space for new students and families. The bookstore will be temporarily closed, and we hope the project will be complete in early 2026.
11. REPORTS
    1. Associated Student Government (ASG) Report – Lane Stevens
       1. Lane described the busy welcome week which included events like Glow in the Dark Volleyball and Capture the Flag. He discussed the Constitution Day video produced by the ASG, and Constitution Day activities. He concluded with Trick or Treat Street announcements.
    2. Faculty Senate Report – Deb Stump
       1. Faculty Senate providing terrific input to Mike and Henry, always seeking the best of our students. The Faculty Senate has had two meetings and scheduling their next, including time with Mike and Henry to address concerns of the faculty. Ashley noted that Cole Briggs will be the next Faculty Senate President.   
12. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
    1. Jesse announced upcoming events including the Golf Tournament, Cajun Boil, and Wrestling Fundraiser. 
    2. David announced the Lockheed Martin Space Expo day on campus October 21 for students and businesses.
13. ADJOURNMENT
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 1:21 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Shawn Rose

Recording Secretary