Local Community College Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Historic Triangle Campus – Library Room 101M
4601 Opportunity Way|Williamsburg, VA 23188
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES NO. 468
- CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
Roll Call 6:04 pm
Present: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
Staff and Guests: Ms. Michelle Alexander (Academic Affairs), Ms. Ada Badgley (Office of the President), Dr. Porter Brannon (Office of the President), Mr. J.J. Bonavita (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation),Mr. Steven Carpenter (Finance & Administration), Mr. Tim Crittenden (Finance & Administration) Ms. Nicole Currier (Academic Affairs), Mr. Todd Estes (Workforce Development),Dr. Joseph Fairchild (Academic Affairs), Mr. Steven Felker (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Mr. Michael Filsinger (Faculty Senate), Mr. Seth Fisher (Enrollment Management & Student Success), Ms. Jonalyn Gore (CSSA), Mr. Paul Long (Campus Police), Ms. Nakia Madry Smith (Office of the President), Ms. Barbara Mason (Office of the President),Mr. John Mason (Finance and Administration), Mr. Eric Pesola (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Dr. Scott Stauble (Academic Affairs), Ms. Tracey Wright (Office of the President)
- Approval of Minutes for February 26, 2025
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Stephen Ferguson and seconded by Mr. Allan Melton. The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approved the minutes from the February 26, 2025, Board Meeting [No. 467], as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the February 26, 2025, minutes: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee (abstain), Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge (abstain), Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Dr. Vince Warren welcomed both Mr. Danny Lee representing the City of Newport News, and Mr. Leonard Sledge representing the City of Hampton to the College Board. Both new members provided a brief introduction.
- Appointment of Nomination Committee for Chair and Vice Chair
Dr. Warren announced that Mr. Allan Melton will serve as the Chair of the Nominations Committee and Ms. Laura Abel and Dr. Jonathan Romero will serve on the committee. Nominations will take place at the May 21, 2025, board meeting.
- Report from the College Board Liaison to the Virginia Peninsula Educational Foundation.
Ms. Gholson had no report and shared that the Virginia Peninsula Educational Foundation will meet on April 24, 2025. Ms. Gholson encourage the board to be active on their donations to the foundation.
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services Committee
- Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership Approval
On behalf of the Curriculum Instruction and Student Services Committee, Dr. Keisha Melvin reported that the CISS Committee reviewed and approved the Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership during their committee meeting. Dr. Melvin made a motion to approve the membership.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approves the Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership for AY 2025/2026, as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership, as presented: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- Budget and Finance AND FACILITIES Committee
Mr. Tim Crittenden shared a brief overview of the FY 2025 Local Funds 3rd Quarter Report which now lists the locality commitments individually and also provided an update on the General Local Funds, Student Activity Fund, Security and Parking Fund and Construction Fund. The College will incur some costs on Templin Hall.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the FY 2025 Local Funds 3rd Quarter Report, as presented.
- Receipt of the FY 2026 Local Funds Recommended Budget Presentation
Mr. Steven Carpenter provided an overview of the FY 2026 Local Funds Recommended Budget and reviewed the General Local Funds, Student Activity Fund, Security and Parking Fund and Construction Fund. Mr. Carpenter noted that during the Budget and Finance and Facilities Committee meeting it was recommended that the Staff Events and Recognition budget be increased to match what it was for AY 2025. This will be reflected in the budget that will be presented and voted on at the May 21, 2025, meeting. Any additional changes or corrections will be received by Mr. Carpenter and the finalized budget will be presented and voted on at the May meeting.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the FY 2026 Local Funds Recommended Budget Presentation, as presented.
- Approve Renaming of Two Buildings
During the February Board meeting Mr. Carpenter shared that the Budget and Finance and Facilities Committee would be requesting to rename two buildings on campus at the April board meeting. Justification for both were presented and reviewed during the February meeting.
Dr. Brannon made a recommendation to rename the Mary T. Christian Auditorium to the Mary T. Christian Theatre. The theatre will house arts, performing arts, and be a world class facility that can be rented. The use of the word “theatre” is appropriate rather than “auditorium”.
The spelling of theater on the agenda will be corrected to theatre.
Mr. Carpenter shared the name change for the Plant Services building to Facilities Services Building to coincide with the department name and to be consistent with the System Office.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approves the renaming of the Plant Services Building to Facilities Services Building and the Mary T. Christina Auditorium to Mary T. Christian Theatre, as presented. A motion was made by Mr. Edward Durham and seconded by Mr. Allan Melton.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the renaming of the Plant Services Building to Facilities Services Building and the Mary T. Christian Auditorium to Mary T. Christian Theatre, as presented: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- PRESIDENT’S REPORT
- Written President’s Report to the College Board
Dr. Brannon shared the background on the report with the two new College Board members and emphasized that it allows her to keep the board informed on what is happening at the College as well as in the community we serve.
Dr. Jarrett commented on the experiential learning and how wonderful that our students were able to have this type of experience. Mr. Lee shared that he was impressed with the new VPCC website.
Dr. Brannon shared that at our May board meeting we will be recognizing four board members who will be rolling off our board. Dr. Brannon recognized the board for their work and the opportunity to work with them over the last four years.
Dr. Brannon announced that we will need to plan a summer retreat. We have new members onboarding and our SACSCOC reaccreditation will be this fall and there will be many updates to provide to the board.
- Dana B. Hamel Award Recipient
The recipient of the Dana B. Hamel Award is former Hampton Mayor Mr. Donnie Tuck. Mr. Tuck will be attending commencement and will provide remarks to the graduates.
- New BUSINess
- Review and Approval of Presidential Evaluation
Closed Session
Mr. Joseph Fuentes motioned for the Board ofVirginia Peninsula Community College Board, in accordance with §2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia vote to convene in closed session relating to the discussion or consideration of personnel matters, specifically the review and approval of the 2025 presidential evaluation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stephen Ferguson.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the motion and closed session began at 6:51 p.m.: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
Reconvene to Open Session
Mr. Joseph Fuentes motioned for the Board of Virginia Peninsula Community College, having finished all appropriate discussions in accordance with§2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia, motioned to end the closed session and return to open session, the motion was seconded by Dr. Joyce Jarrett.
By roll call vote, the following board members approved the return to open session which reconvened at 8:37 p.m.: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
Certification of Closed Session
The members in attendance at the closed session of the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board meeting on April 16, 2025, that to the best of their knowledge (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under §2.2-3711(A)(1) were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed, or considered in this closed session. Mr. Joseph Fuentes motioned the Certification of the Closed Session and Mr. Allan Melton seconded at 8:38 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: The following board members certified closed session matters: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Dr. Vince Warren motioned, and Mr. David Durham seconded that the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approve the Executive Committee’s recommendation with one amendment, as presented
Roll Call Vote: The following board members approved the Executive Committees Recommendation of the Presidential Evaluation: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual-traveling), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. Joseph Fuentes, Ms. TiJuana Gholson (Virtual-traveling), Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- Adjournemt
8:40 P.M.
Next College Board Meeting: 6:00 p.m. on
May 21, 2025
Campus Locations
Williamsburg’s Historic Triangle Campus
4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Hampton Campus
Hampton IV Building
521 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666
And
600 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666
Note
General Local College Board meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.