Local Community College Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
600 Butler Farm Road|Hampton, VA 23666
PWDC – Room 1301-13036:00 P.M.
MINUTES NO. 471
.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call 6:01 pm
Present: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. Wayne Casey, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Ms. Mary Sandy, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck (Virtual), Dr. Donna Woods (Virtual)
Absent: Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Mr. R.C. Miller, Mr. Doug Powell, Dr. Jonathan Romero
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), Mr. Tim Crittenden (Finance & Administration), Ms. Nicole Currier (Academic Affairs), Mr. Steven Felker (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Ms. Jean Frank (Academic Affairs), Mr. Keith Feigh (Poquoson City Council), Mr. David Garrett (Office of the President), Mr. Paul Long (Office of the President), Ms. Nakia Madry-Smith (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. Damond Pope (Finance & Administration), Dr. Kerry Ragno (Academic Affairs), Mr. James Reynolds (VPCC Student), Dr. Scott Stauble (Academic Affairs)
- Approval of Minutes for September 17, 2025
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Ms. Laura Abel and seconded by Mr. Ed Durham. The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approved the minutes from September 17, 2025, Board Meeting [No. 470], as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the September 17, 2025, minutes: Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. Wayne Casey, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Ms. Mary Sandy, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck (Virtual), Dr. Donna Woods (Virtual)
2. CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Dr. Woods, College Board Chair, welcomed and provided a brief introduction of two new board members Ms. Mary Sandy representing the City of Poquoson and Mr. Wayne Casey representing James City County.
Dr. Woods shared congratulations to Dr. Brannon and her team for the results and achievements following the SACSCOC site visit and thanked the board members who attended the SACSCOC luncheon (Mr. Ed Durham, Dr. Joyce Jarrett and Dr. Keisha Melvin).
- Report from the College Board Liaison to the Virginia Peninsula Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors.
Mr. Donnie Tuck, College Board Liaison, reported that the Educational Foundation Board has not met and there was no report.
Dr. Woods reminded the board about the Gators Care Campaign and reminded them that the goal of the College Board is to have 100% participation in giving to the VPCC Educational Foundation. Giving can be done through the Gators Care Campaign, the VPCC Foundation or both.
Mr. Ed. Durham has agreed to serve as the alternate College Board Liaison to the VPCC Educational Foundation Board of Directors.
- Appointment of Ad Hoc Committee for the College Board Awards at Commencement
Each year the College Board presents the Dana B. Hamel Award in honor of Dana B Hamel, the first Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) at the Commencement Ceremony. Dr. Woods shared that Mr. Stephen Ferguson has agreed to chair the ad hoc committee and two additional College Board members are needed to serve. Please email Dr. Woods if you are interested. The committee will be announced at the December meeting.
- College Board Meeting Dates for Calendar Year 2026
Dr. Donna Woods shared that all board members should have received a draft copy of the proposed meeting dates for 2026 for a total of six meetings and an annual board retreat.
Dr. Woods proposed an alternative schedule which would have the board meeting quarterly (four times annually) and would better align with the State Board of Community Colleges meetings. A College Board Retreat would be held annually. The new cadence would have the board meeting in March, June, September and November and would eliminate a December meeting. This proposal would require a change in the College Board Handbook.
Mr. Sledge, Mr. Tuck, Mr. Durham and Ms. Sandy expressed agreement that moving forward to quarterly meetings made good business sense.
During new business, Dr. Woods will bring a recommendation for a policy change to the College Board Handbook.
3. Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services Committee
Program Discontinuance: Public Safety Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher (221-411-01)
Ms. Laura Abel shared that the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Services Committee (CISS) had a brief but informative meeting. The committee is recommending the discontinuation of the Public Safety Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher program which has no enrollment. This program was put on the books prior to COVID and has not had any enrollment. The CISS Committee agreed to discontinue the program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approves the discontinuation of the Public Safety Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher (221-411-01)
On behalf of the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Services Committee, Ms. Laura Abel motioned that the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approve the discontinuation of the Public Safety Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher (221-411-01), as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the discontinuation of the Public Safety Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher (221-411-01): Ms. Laura Abel, Mr. Wayne Casey, Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Ms. Mary Sandy, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck (Virtual), Dr. Donna Woods (Virtual)
- Program Revisions – Information Systems Technology CSC Name Changes
Ms. Laura Abel shared that many of the course titles in the Information Systems Technology CSC do not reflect today’s standards. The proposed titles align with current standards and the CISS Committee was in full agreement. to go forward with the proposed name changes.
- Cisco Networking CSC (221-732-10) name change to Cisco Network Administrator CSC.
- Cybersecurity for Local Area Networks (LAN) CSC (221-732-16) name change to Cybersecurity Support Specialist.
- Cybersecurity & Networking Foundations CSC (221-732-08) name change to Network Security & Support.
- Web Design Specialist CSC (221-352-02) name change to Web Development & Design Specialist.
- Introduction to Cloud System CSC (221-299-50) name change to Cloud Systems Support.
INFORMATIONAL ITEM: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Information Systems Technology CSC name changes, as presented.
4.Budget, Finance AND FACILITIES Committee
- Receipt of the FY 2026 First Quarter Local Funds Report
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received and reviewed the FY 2026 First Quarter Local Funds Report during their committee meeting and noted that all local funds have increased their balances.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the FY 2026 First Quarter Local Funds Report, as presented.
- Information on Adoption of the Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Framework.
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received information on the Adoption of the Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Framework from Mr. Paul Long during their committee meeting and noted that the board must review and approve the plan every four years.
Mr. Long provided a presentation and overview of his report to the College Board which provided the background and the reasoning for a comprehensive plan. The framework provides an awareness of emergency preparedness for the College and is a collaborative process that includes Federal, State, and Local Government partners. The information presented this evening will be voted on at the December meeting.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Adoption of the Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Framework, as presented.
- Information on Facilities Naming Manual
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received information on the Facilities Naming Manual during their Committee meeting. As discussed at the September College Board meeting the State Board guidelines require colleges to have a procedure for naming facilities. This evening Dr. Brannon provided the Finance, Budget, and Facilities Committee with a draft manual for their review. The Naming Task Force Committee, that includes Mr. Durham, Mr. Lee, Mr. Miller, Mr. Powell, and Mr. Sledge will be sent an electronic version of the draft manual so they may begin their work and be prepared to present the manual at the March College Board meeting for approval. Once the Facilities Naming Manual has been approved the College Board can move forward and proceed with naming the box office of the new theatre.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Facilities Naming Manual, as presented.
Mr. Durham noted that an additional topic was briefly mentioned in their committee meeting regarding a potential increase in the student activity fee by .50 cents. During the December meeting the committee will be hearing a presentation with a recommendation for approval and a vote by the full board during their meeting. The increase in the activity fee allows the College to do many more things to support students.
5. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
- Written President’s Report to the College Board
Dr. Brannon asked the board to pay particular attention to the information in the report regarding FastForward funding. FastForward funding is critical and enables more people to get into the talent pipeline.
The College recently hosted a Talent Crisis Convening and a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Convening where some of our board members were in attendance. Dr. Brannon thanked Mr. Powell, Mr. Sledge, and Mr. Tuck for attending those convenings. The College aims to increase the number of photographs we have of Board Members engaged in campus activities. Attending future events provides ideal opportunities for us to capture your service in action.
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) currently plans to submit a General Assembly budget amendment request to invest an additional $17M in FastForward funding. Since 2017, Virginia has invested $95M in FastForward which yielded $6.5B in earnings from those who completed our programs and remained in the Commonwealth. Dr. Brannon shared that the College Board can support this effort through letter writing or by attending legislative visits this January.
Dr. Brannon reminded the Board that Admission to the Dental Hygiene program was paused in Fall 2023. This was a business decision made after determining that the program was operating at a loss of over $600k annually while only serving 20 students. The College has worked with many partners including Delta Dental, the Virginia Dental Association, and sister colleges and universities to look at restructuring the program. We have identified a way to double enrollment to 40 students annually at a loss of $420k annually. Dr. Brannon has identified co-patrons who will submit a FY27 budget amendment to the General Assembly in the amount of $420k. Gifts from the community have been offered. While gifts are not sustainable, they will be helpful in upgrading our clinical equipment. Gifts are welcomed once we have the State’s support.
Dr. Brannon noted that there was one error in the Report. On page-six, she stated that the Athletics Department raised $23k this fall; the actual amount raised amount was $38k in addition to the $10k gift given to the Baseball Team.
Dr. Jarrett inquired about a unified message that could be used by all when contacting our government officials. Dr. Brannon agreed and the board will be provided with a flyer with unified messaging.
Lastly our college photographers will be attending board meetings during the upcoming year to document board members in action as part of their marketing portfolio.
Dr. Woods was very complimentary about all the work Dr. Brannon is doing, her visibility, and the College’s continued enrollment growth.
Mr. Sledge recognized Dr. Brannon for being selected to Co-Lead the Defense Tech Delegation to the United Kingdom and acknowledged the great benefit that this delegation will have for the Hampton Roads Region.
- The Giving Campaign
Dr. Brannon asked the board to note page-six of the report that includes a link for giving or by scanning the pictured QR code. There are various options for giving or donating to the Foundation. She would like 2025 to be the first year we achieved full Board participation during an annual campaign.
Dr. Brannon offered congratulations to Dr. Donna Woods who is receiving a Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. The College has purchased a table for the Peninsula Humanitarian Awards Dinner on February 26, 2026. Dr. Brannon shared that she cannot imagine this award going to a better person.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
Currently the College Board Handbook states in section 3.13(A) that the board shall hold regularly scheduled meetings in August, October, December, February, April, and May, totaling six meetings a year. The proposed amendments align with the Board’s intent to streamline its meeting calendar by establishing an annual retreat that may include official business, followed by four quarterly meetings to conduct regular business throughout the year.
Dr. Woods proposed that the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board amend Section 3.13(A) of the handbook to read as follows:
- Regularly scheduled meetings of the college board shall be held five (5) times per year as follows: Annual Retreat – This meeting may include official board business in addition to planning and development activities.
- March, June, September, and November (Quarterly Regular Meetings) – Regular meetings shall be held during these months for the transaction of official board business.
- Special meetings of the College Board may be held at the call of the chair or upon petition of a simple majority of the members of the board.
- A simple majority of eight (8) members of the College Board shall constitute a quorum for all regular meetings.
- All other provisions of Section 3.13, including those regarding public notice, open-meeting requirements, remote participation, and minute taking procedures, shall remain in full effect.
This will be eligible for a vote at the December 3, 2026, meeting in accordance with Section 9.1 of the Handbook.
- Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Next College Board Meeting:
December 3, 2025
Poquoson Elementary School
Poquoson, VA 23662
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.