Local Community College Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Hampton Campus – Hampton IV – Room 4226
521 Butler Farm Road|Hampton, VA 23666
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES NO. 469
- CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call 6:01 pm
Present: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
Staff and Guests: Mr. Brian Baines (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), 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), Mr. Tim Crittenden (Finance & Administration), Mr. Todd Estes (Workforce Development), Mr. Steven Felker (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Mr. Michael Filsinger (Faculty Senate), Mr. Seth Fisher (Enrollment Management & Student Success), Mr. David Garrett (Office of the President), Ms. LaRhonda Johnson (Enrollment Management & Student Success), Ms. Jenni Jones (Academic Affairs), Ms. Barbara Mason (Office of the President),Mr. John Mason (Finance and Administration), Mr. Eric Pesola (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Dr. Kerry Ragno (Academic Affairs), Ms. Liz Rizzatto (CSSA), Dr. Scott Stauble (Academic Affairs), Ms. Tracey Wright (Office of the President)
- Approval of Minutes for April 16, 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 April 16, 2025, Board Meeting [No. 468], as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the April 16, 2025, minutes: Ms. Laura Abel. Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Public Comments
There were no public comments.
- Report from the College Board Liaison to the Virginia Peninsula Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Ms. TiJuana Gholson reported that the Educational Foundation Board met on April 24, 2025, and new board members were elected. The April 24th meeting was Ms. Gholson’s last meeting as the liaison to the Educational Foundation Board and she thanked the board for allowing her to be a representative. Dr. Warren thanked Ms. Gholson for her service in this role. Ms. Gholson reminded everyone to continue to contribute to the VPCC Education Foundation.
- Recognition of Joe Fuentes Board Service
The College Board recognized Mr. Joseph Fuentes who was currently serving as the Vice Chair to the Board, was previously the Chair of the Finance Committee and was known for his humility, intellect and commitment to service. Dr. Vince Warren shared that he and Joe spent many hours working together and considered him a friend and greatly appreciated Joe’s thoughtfulness and how he served. Joe’s perspective from years of service on other boards was very instrumental in his service on the College Board. Joe showed genuine care and concern for the board and the board members as well as faculty and staff at the College. Dr. Brannon commented that Mr. Fuentes was passionate about everything he did, he loved the College, and he could solve problems that were complex.
- Recognition of Board Members Service
Dr. Brannon recognized Ms. Towuanna Gholson, Dr. Vince Warren, Mr. Allan Melton, Ms. Mary Bunting, and Ms. Izabela Cieszynski whose terms of service on the board have ended and thanked them for their dedicated and loyal service. Dr. Brannon shared that her first few years with this board had tough challenges to include the name change, COVID and the transition of a new administration. Dr. Brannon highlighted their talents and what they brought to the table to include: championing for the College, asking thoughtful questions, actively engaged, stellar attendance, advocates, going above and beyond, connectors, service in leadership roles, appreciative of her staff and collaborative.
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services Committee
- Information Item: ACEN Accreditation Decision
On behalf of the Curriculum Instruction and Student Services Committee, Dr. Keisha Melvin reported that Dr. Ragno briefed the CISS Committee on the accreditation decision by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Dr. Ragno and Ms. Jenni Jones shared an overview to the full board of the ACEN letter dated May 8, 2025. The letter is a formal notification of the action taken by ACEN granting Continuing Accreditation for Good Cause for two years. A report will be required to be submitted prior to a follow-up visit which will occur in the Fall of 2026. The visitors had noted that they had seen tremendous improvement and there is one standard that requires improvement.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the ACEN Accreditation Decision, as presented.
- Budget, Finance AND FACILITIES Committee
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee were briefed on the FY 2026 Local Funds recommended budget at the April meeting with one recommendation for an adjustment to the Staff Events and Recognition budget to increase it to match the budgeted amount AY 2025.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approves the Receipt of the FY 2026 Local Funds Recommended Budget, as presented. A motion was made by Mr. Edward Durham and seconded by Dr. Donna Woods.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the FY 2026 Local Funds Budget, as presented: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- INFORMATION ITEM: Receipt of Facilities Projects Update Presentation
Mr. Ed Durham reported the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received a presentation on the facilities projects and Mr. Mason provided a brief update to the full board on ongoing projects. The ongoing projects include repair of the Skylight at the PWDC, replacement of the Hastings Hall and Historic Triangle chillers, Gators café facelift with a modern and improved experience for students, administrative offices and classroom moves from Hampton IV to the PWDC and Templin Hall. Diggs, Moore, and Harrison Halls will be demolished in early 2026, and the replacement building is currently in the working drawings phase with anticipation of going to bid this winter.
Dr. Romero asked for clarification on the various moves of the administrative staff from Hampton IV to the second floor of the PWDC which is currently occupied by ODU. Mr. Mason was able to clarify that ODU was relocating to another section on the second floor.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Facilities Projects Update, as presented.
- PRESIDENT’S REPORT
- Written President’s Report to the College Board
Dr. Brannon reported that the pictures in the May report reflect all the many activities and projects that the College has been involved with during the last month. Dr. Brannon introduced Mr. David Garrett, Theater Manager, to the board and shared that he has hit the ground running and has been an immediate asset.
- SACSCOC Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Mr. Felker provided an update on the reaffirmation of accreditation. The College is in the class of 2026, and our onsite visit is scheduled for October 27 – 30, 2025. The compliance certification was submitted in February and is considered a big step in the process. The College received feedback from the compliance certification indicating what needs to be followed up on. Mr. Felker shared that we are pleased with the overall results, but we do have 15 items that require us to provide additional information, and our focus now is to resolve these items prior to the onsite visit. All the standards for our governing board have no findings and we will use the board retreat to determine who can be available during the onsite visit. One area that needs additional work concerns our mission statement. The mission statement needs to demonstrate our mission is specific to our institution and is unique to us. Mr. Felker noted that we currently do not have our name in our mission statement and many schools have it included. Dr. Brannon and Mr. Felker will talk with our Vice President at SACSCOC and seek her guidance. In addition to the work on the corrective actions we are preparing and planning the logistics for the onsite team while they are on campus. Lastly, work is continuing with the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) The focus of the QEP is to improve student learning and success. The QEP Committee is focusing on embedding a tutoring model with tutors in the classroom in entry level Math and English courses with low success rates.
The board inquired about the instructors who teach these introductory classes. Dr. Ragno shared that we have very strong faculty in these classes and noted that often our students have many outside factors that inhibit their classroom success. Embedding tutors within the classroom should greatly assist the needs of our students. VP Cigularova also reminded the board about our early alert system which equips our faculty to report concerns about our students.
- Board Self-Evaluation Results Presentation
Mr. Steven Felker provided a review of the Board Self-Evaluation that was recently completed by the College Board and shared that these results can be used to improve the future role of the board.
The survey was distributed to 15 board members and there were 11 responses. Two areas with lower rates was (1) engagement and (2) understanding finances (understanding the budgetary process and how we go about budgeting).
Open ended responses included:
- Engagement of the board beyond board meetings, being present for the College, interest in elevating and being advocates and connectors for the College.
- Attendance
The board expressed interest in becoming more plugged in and they were encouraged to follow the College on social media to learn about events. We will begin sharing a more detailed calendar with board members.
- President’s 2025-2026 Ask of Board Members
Dr. Brannon provided a handout of her “President’s Ask of Board Members” for the upcoming 2025-2026 year. Dr. Brannon shared that there is so much happening and going on and she would like to partner more with the board to accomplish all the great opportunities during the upcoming year.
- College Move from Hampton IV
Item covered in the Facilities update.
- UNFINISHED BUSINess
- Assignment of the 2025-2026 College Board Chair and Vice Chair for Closed Session
Closed Session
Dr. Joyce Jarrett 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 assignment of officers for the board.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the motion and closed session began at 7:32 p.m.: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
Reconvene to Open Session
Dr. Joyce Jarrett 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 Mr. Stephen Ferguson.
By roll call vote, the following board members approved the return to open session which reconvened at 7:38 p.m.: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, 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 May 21, 2025, certified 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 discussed and (ii) only those matters identified in the motion were heard, discussed, or considered in the closed session.
Roll Call Vote: The following board members certified closed session matters: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Dr. Vince Warren made a motion to elect Dr. Donna Woods as Chair, and Dr. Keisha Melvin as Vice Chair of the Virginia Peninsula Community College local board, as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ed Durham.
Roll Call Vote: The following board members approved the Nomination’s Committee assignment of College Board Chair and Vice Chair, as presented: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Ms. TiJuana Gholson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Mr. Allan Melton, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Dr. Jonathan Romero, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Dr. Vince Warren, Dr. Donna Woods
- Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M.
Next College Board Meeting: 6:00 p.m. on
September 17, 2025
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.