Local Community College Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Virginia Peninsula Community College
PWDC – Room 1301-1303
600 Butler Farm Road|Hampton, VA 23666
6:00 P.M.
Minutes 473
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6p.m.
Roll Call 6: pm
Present: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. Wayne Casey, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Mr. Doug Powell, Ms. Mary Sandy (Virtual), Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck, Dr. Donna Woods
Absent:
Staff and Guests: Ms. Michelle Alexander(Academic Affairs),Ms. Ada Badgley (Office of thePresident),Dr. Porter Brannon (Office of the President), Mr. J.J. Bonavita (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Mr. Steven Carpenter (Finance & Administration), Ms. Daniela Cigularova ( Enrollment Management & Student Success), Dr. Todd Coxe (Office of the President), Ms. Nicole Currier (Academic Affairs), Mr. Todd Estes (Workforce Development & Innovation), Mr. Steven Felker (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Mr. Michael Filsinger (Faculty Senate), Mr. Keith Feigh (Poquoson City Council), Ms. Jean Frank (Academic Affairs), Mr. David Garrett (Office of the President), Mr. Paul Long (Office of the President), Ms. Barbara Mason (Office of the President), Mr. John Mason (Finance and Administration), Ms. Geri Mathey (CSSA), Mr. Julian Parker (SGA), Mr. Eric Pesola (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Mr. Damond Pope (Finance & Administration), Dr. Kerry Ragno (Academic Affairs), Dr. Scott Stauble (Academic Affairs), Mr. Marc Vernon (Finance and Administration)
- Approval of Minutes for December 3, 2025
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Danny Lee and seconded by Ed Durham. The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approved the minutes from December 3, 2025, Board Meeting [No. 472], as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the December 3, 2025, minutes: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual), Mr. Wayne Casey, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett (Virtual), Mr. Danny Lee, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Ms. Mary Sandy, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck
Abstain: Mr. Doug Powell
Second by D. Durham
All in favor
- CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Public Comments
There were no public comments.
- Appointment of Ad Hoc Nomination Committee for Chair and Vice Chair
Dr. Donna Woods Chaired by dr. Melvin and co-chair by Dr. Romero along with Doug Powell. Dr. Melvin will soon be seeking nominations. Think about who you would like to nominate.
- Report from the College Board Liaison to the Virginia Peninsula Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Mr. Donnie Tuck – Met on March 12. Highlights: interim vice president is in search Mr. Eric Pesola is serving as interim and Lennie Carter is serving as a consultant in the interim. Presentation on allocation of Foundation Funds.
Mr. Romero asked about clarification on the scholarships that cannot be used. These are scholarships that have had restrictions. Policy will give us more flexibility to help our students much easier and go to the general scholarship fund. It could reduce the restrictions. Would first contact the donor before proceeding. This policy has not gone into effect as of yet.
3. CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION, AND STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
- 2026-27 Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership Updates
Ms. Laura Abel provided a report from her committee meeting. Looked at the curriculum advisory list. They unanimlusly approved it and are asking the full board to approve the list.
- RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board, approves the 2026-2027 Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership updates, as presented.
All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions?
Motion made by laura Abel and Mr. Durham
Unanimously approved
Discussed about moving enrollment forward and the things the college is doing. D. Cigularova shared their discussion around data and focused on strategies leading to growth in enrollment. Consistent growth over the last two years. Highlights shared focus on summer enrollment, formed passports to grow summer enrollment. Worked with marketing team and targeting students who are home for the summer from 4- year colleges, targeting adult students – students who have credits but no degree working with them to help them complete a degree program and degree opportunities. Retention growth has increased by 5 percent. Focusing also on our DE Students and going into the high schools on site. Enrollment Services is in partnership with the Academic Affairs area.
Motion Passes or Fails
4. BUDGET, FINANCE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE
- 2nd Quarter Local Funds Update
Mr. Ed Durham reported that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received and reviewed the 2nd Quarter Local Funds Update….. received a good update and full confidence that we will have enough funds to cover all expenses for the upcoming year.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College board acknowledges receipt of the 2nd Quarter Local Funds Update, as presented.
- FY 2027 Recommended Local Funds Budget Presentation
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received and reviewed the FY 2027 Recommended Local Funds Budget Presentation. Committee recommends to staff about the Newport News funding to footnote this right now while the college continues to work with N.N.
Requested another footnote regarding the use of fund balance to college initiatives fund. Also the scholarships funds of 12,000. Zero out that line and footnote that as well. It is working with the foundation to better realign. Those were the three big discussion topics.
This is for information only.
Mr. Carpenter went through the other funds: Student activity fee the increase is due to the increase that we have requested. It is going to the state board this spring. It will be added back in once the state board votes on it. Parking funds reflect the item that was just voted on. Construction fund – project for this coming year, refurbishing some of our buildings. Last item localities contributions.
NO questions or discussion
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the FY 2027 Recommended Local Funds Budget Presentation, as presented.
- Dominion Power Easement for Diggs, Moore, Harrison Replacement Building
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received information on the requirement for an easement for Dominion Power . This is related to the new construction. This is for information only to the board and this work has already been done and will now go to the system office and working out and easement.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the requirement for an easement for Dominion Power, as presented.
- Facilities Naming Procedures Manual
Mr. Durham shared that Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee approved the Facilities Naming Procedures Manual during their committee meeting. This has been approved by the committee and we as a board need to approved the procedures manual. Dr. Jarrett shared that this was very well done.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approves the Facilities Naming Procedures Manual, as presented. Mr. Sledge motion to approve ms abel seconded. All in favor passed unanimously.
Dr. Woods shared how well done it was done.
All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions?
Motion Passes or Fails
- FY 2027-2028 Biennium Parking Plan
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received the 2027-2028 Biennium Parking Plan during their committee meeting and approved the plan. This does require a vote. This is a two year parking plan. This is a bit of an increase, maintenance has been deferred for a couple of years. Improving lighting paving and signage. We are not currently charging for faculty parking and staff parking. Because of demolition and construction we have deferred this fee. Committee recommends that the board approved the parking plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board APPROVES THE fy 2027-2028 Biennium Parking Plan, as presented.
All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions? Moved by S Ferguson and Mr. Lee Seconded.
Motion passed unanimously
Motion Passes or Fails
5. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
- Written President’s Report to the College Board
Dr. Brannon shared she is missing everyone and glad to join everyone virtually. Dr. Brannon thanked the ad hoc committee regarding the facilities naming.
Any questions about the board report? Dr. Woods shared that the enrollment pipeline the significant outreach is really strengthening enjoyed reading about the high demand programs.
Dr. Brannon shared that we are really focusing on our enrollment growth by looking at full time enrollment not headcount (fte’s). We are third is the state and first in the southeast. Kudos to Dr. Brannon’s team
Two items being discussed 1. Charging for DE tuition after students have completed a passport. It is ongoing discussion. We at VPCC have not been charging tuition. Nothing has been decided but it is an ongoing conversation. May be different by the time we meet in June.
Other item is regarding course fees. Certain courses just cost more so there is a course fee. Never has been in VCCS. When they will be implemented will possibly this fall or next fall this will be a stateboard decision. Most likely be decided before we meet in June for our board meeting.
When would tuition go into effect for DE (Donna Woods). If you are on a pathway you may never pay tuition (first 30 credits). Hampton is different because we have the ACE Academy so they could see charges their senior year. Fees will be different based on if it is taught by a high school teacher versus a college professor. There is a lot to still figure out. Real concern is the ACE academy students.
David Durham had question as we went to quarterly meeting helps. Gators at a glance will continue to go out on the last Firday of the month during the months we are not meeting.
What came out of the General assembly about fast forward. House and senate have in the budgets around 30 million. The allotment was pushed forward but till does not align with the demand. Its good news but we need closer to 50 million as a system.
Growth is outpacing the funding and will continue to be a challenge.
Mr. Estes shared news is largely positive. Reconvening April 23rd. Meets stateleve ask it will provide funding but we will rapidly deplete funding. We will continue to lobby for more funds but have met our state board ask. We received 142,000 dollars of rainy day money that was dispersed by the systeme office. This will be used for healthcare.
What happened around Dental hygiene (Mary Sandy). High cost programs. It was approved in the house but not the senate but it was one-time funding which will not help VPCC. We need 490,000 annually to operate the dental hygiene program.
Mr. Sledge – kudos about the state of the college and coming to the council meetings and a shout out to the basketball team. Also attend events at the Theatre and it speaks to the importance to strong facilities have space for people to meet on campus and to be on campus. Introducing the college in new ways.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the President’s Report to the College Board, as presented.
- Strategic Planning Timeline and Milestones
Mr. Steven Felker shared the Strategic Planning Timeline and Milestones work that is beginning. Thrive 2027 will be ending and in less than 18 months we will be closing out. Strategic Plan 2027-2030. We are in a rapidly changing world so this will be a three year plan. The system office plan ends in 2030 so we will align well with them. Where do we want to be excellent.
Mr. Felker Shared – foundational work currently underway – timelines, coordinating groups, preparing data and instruments and planning and scheduling.
Overall Timeline to Completion from Spring 2026 to Spring 2027
Envisioned Role for the Local College Board – planning sessions this spring, updates at the June meeting to include the mission statement which requires board approval.
Core planning activities
Provided dates of strategic planning open work session dates.
Questions? –
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Strategic Planning Timeline and MIlestones, as presented.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- Ad hoc Committee Report of the Dana B. Hamel Nominations
- Review and Approval of Presidential Evaluation
Closed Session
The Board of Virginia Peninsula Community College, in accordance with §2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, will convene in closed session relating to the discussion or consideration of special awards and the Presidential Evaluation.
Motion – durham
Second – Jarrett
Reconvene to Open Session
The Board of Virginia Peninsula Community College, having finished all appropriate discussions in accordance with Section §2.2-3711 (A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, shall end the closed session and return to open session.
Motion – Ferguson Second Durham
Certification for Closed Session
The members in attendance at the closed session of the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board meeting on March 18, 2026, certify that to the best of their knowledge (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under §2.2-3711(A) (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in this closed session.
Motion – Melvin
Secon – Durham
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approves the Ad Hoc Awards Committee’s recommendation(s) and the review and approval of the Presidential Evaluation, as presented.
All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions?
Motion Passes
7. NEW BUSINESS
None
VCIC award recognized by Leonard Sledge
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:41
Next College Board Meeting:
June 17, 2026
Historic Triangle Campus
4601 Opportunity Way
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Library – Room 100M
Committees convene prior to the full College Board from 4:30 – 5:45 (Light meal included)
Campus Locations
Williamsburg’s Historic Triangle Campus
4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Hampton Campus
PWDC
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