Local Community College Board
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Historic Triangle Campus
4601 Opportunity Way|Williamsburg, VA 23188
Library – Room 100M
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES NO. 470
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m.
Roll Call 6:05 pm
Present: Ms. Laura Abel (Virtual), Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Mr. Doug Powell, Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck, Dr. Donna Woods
Absent: Dr. Jonathan Romero, Ms. Mary Sandy
Staff and Guests: Ms. Michelle Alexander(Academic Affairs),Ms. Ada Badgley (Office of thePresident),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. Todd Coxe (Office of the President), Mr. Tim Crittenden (Finance & Administration), Ms. Nicole Currier (Academic Affairs), Mr. Todd Estes (Workforce Development), Mr. Steven Felker (Institutional Effectiveness & Transformation), Mr. Michael Filsinger (Faculty Senate), Mr. Seth Fisher (Enrollment Management & Student Success), Ms. Jean Frank (Academic Affairs), Mr. David Garrett (Office of the President), Ms. LaRhonda Johnson (Enrollment Management & Student Success), Ms. Jenni Jones (Academic Affairs), Ms. Mary Kanani (Enrollment Management & Student Success), 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 May 21, 2025
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Ed Durham and seconded by Mr. Stephen Ferguson. The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board approved the minutes from May 21, 2025, Board Meeting [No. 469], as presented.
By roll call vote the following board members approved the May 21, 2025, minutes: Ms. Laura Abel. Mr. David “Ed” Durham, Mr. Stephen Ferguson, Dr. Joyce Jarrett, Mr. Danny Lee, Dr. Keisha Melvin, Mr. R.C. Miller, Mr. Doug Powell (abstain), Mr. Leonard Sledge, Mr. Donnie Tuck (abstain), Dr. Donna Woods
2. CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Public Comments
There were no public comments.
- Introduction of New Board Members
Dr. Donna Woods, College Board Chair, welcomed and provided a brief introduction of three new board members: Mr. Donnie Tuck representing the City of Hampton, Mr. Doug Powell representing James City County and Ms. Mary Sandy representing the City of Poquoson.
- Update of College Board Committees
Dr. Donna Woods shared that each board member received a hard copy of their respective committee assignment at their seat.
- Report from the College Board Liaison to the Virginia Peninsula Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors
Mr. Donnie Tuck reported that the Educational Foundation Board met on September 11, 2025.
During the Foundation Board meeting an updated financial report was provided and the Foundation received a clean audit. Mr. Tuck reported that Institutional Effectiveness and Transformation is in the process of recruiting for an Associate Vice President.
Dr. Woods shared that an alternate liaison to the Foundation is still needed and if interested please let her know. Mr. Felker shared that the Foundation meets four times a year (twice in the fall and twice in the spring). The meetings are held on Thursdays and occur early in the morning.
3. Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services Committee
No report for September
4. Budget, Finance AND FACILITIES Committee
- Receipt of the FY 2025 Fourth Quarter Local Funds Report
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received and reviewed the FY 2025 Fourth Quarter Local Funds Report during their committee meeting.
Mr. Crittenden provided a report on the fourth quarter local funds and reviewed the Local Operating Fund, the Student Activity Fund, Parking and Safety Fund and the Construction Fund. Mr. Crittenden reported that the College is in great shape to do things we need and want to do.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the FY 2025 Fourth Quarter Local Funds Report, as presented.
- Receipt of the July State Budget Report
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received and reviewed the July State Budget Report during their committee meeting.
Mr. Carpenter provided an overview of the report to the College Board. The State Budget is under the purview of the College and the VCCS State Board. The support we receive from the state is based on our size in comparison to the other 22 colleges within the VCCS.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the July State Budget Report, as presented.
- Receipt of Facilities Projects Update Presentation
Mr. Ed Durham shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee received and reviewed the Facilities Projects Updated Presentation during their committee meeting.
Mr. John Mason provided a PowerPoint presentation of the current facilities projects. Current projects include:
- Update and renovation to the Gators Café in Kecoughtan Hall.
- Hampton IV classroom and administrative offices move occurred during summer 2025.
- Chiller replaced in Hastings Hall in Hampton and the chiller at the Historic Triangle Campus has been replaced.
- Templin classroom building roof and HVAC replacement will be completed late this fall.
- The demolition of Diggs, Moore, Harrison Halls is underway.
- Pavement and drainage project has been awarded.
- Renovation of the Welding Lab – The bid will go out Friday, September 19, 2025.
A question was raised inquiring if students contributed to the planning of the new building. It was shared that students have been involved in the planning process as well as participating in the 10-year Master Plan.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Facilities Projects Update Presentation, as presented.
- Naming of Mary T. Christian Theatre Box Office
Mr. David Garrett, Theater Manager was introduced and shared a few details about the new theatre and asked that everyone save the date of January 10, 2026, for the theatre grand opening and dedication.
Mr. Garrett presented a proclamation for naming the Mary T. Christian Theatre Box Office and the background to the significance of the proclamation. Mr. Garrett provided the board with information about Ms. Cherie Beasley and her impact at the College and her past involvement in productions and theater programs during her tenure.
Dr. Brannon shared that the “Box Office” is not a building and is considered a space at the College. We do not have a history of naming spaces at the College nor a process for vetting or naming such type spaces and would like to request the board to approve the naming. The VCCS policy on naming of “facilities” is vague when it comes to defining what a facility is. The box office would be considered a high-profile space and therefore thought it important to ask the board for their input.
Mr. Sledge shared that the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee had a robust discussion regarding the request in their committee meeting. The committee determined that there needs to be a clear process and criteria for such a request and there does not seem to be anything currently in place to address this. The committee asked if other colleges within the system have a process that could be reviewed.
There were several recommendations to move forward with this specific request to name the Box Office and then moving forward to appoint a committee to work on a process that can then be presented to the board for future requests. The committee would research and bring back a proposal to the board for the naming of facilities.
By approving the current request, it could be seen as a precedent in the future and so it was recommended that the board delay this decision until there is a process in place to eliminate any type of controversy. A draft criterion could be presented at the November meeting and this would still allow enough time for the lettering to be in place by the time of the grand opening in January.
Mr. Durham agreed to chair a naming process committee and Mr. Sledge, Mr. Lee, Mr. Powell and Mr. Miller volunteered to participate on the committee. Ms. Laura Abel suggested that we also include a process for un-naming a facility.
INFORMATION ONLY: The Virginia Peninsula Community College Board acknowledges receipt of the Naming of Mary T. Christian Theatre Box Office, as presented.
5. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
- Written President’s Report to the College Board
Dr. Woods commended Dr. Brannon, the faculty, and the staff for an excellent All College Day.
Dr. Jarrett asked for clarification on the System Office goals regarding the alignment of the pricing of Dual Enrollment (DE) courses. Dr. Brannon provided an explanation and shared that the VCCS had been criticized for lack of consistency in how DE was implemented. The System Office is currently looking to identify one consistent price across the system.
- Receipt of College Goals and Expected Outcomes for the Current Year
In the President’s report Dr. Brannon shared the Chancellor’s goals for 2025-2026. Of his goals there are three that she as College President is required to meet which include:
1. Make progress toward awarding 300,000 meaningful credentials.
2. Increase completion rates in FastForward programs to 95% by 2030
3. Enroll 14,000 additional working-age adults (25-65) annually by 2030 across credit and workforce programs.
The Chancellor will review these three items with Dr. Brannon during her annual evaluation. Each college within the VCCS has different metrics to meet and is based on their locality.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
The faculty and staff in attendance introduced themselves to the new board members.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 P.M.
Next College Board Meeting: 6:00 p.m. on
November 12, 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.