The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 3:02 p.m., in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Tillman Dining Room. Dr. Theresa Banks, Chair, presided.
In addition to Dr. Banks, the following members of the Board participated: Joe Barwick, Michael Garrison, Tommy Justus, Himanshu Karvir, David King, Judy Lewis, Roger Metcalf, John Parham, Anthony Penland, Frances Ramsey, Glenda Weinert, and Mariana Flores, Ex-Officio. Libby Kyles participated by phone. Matt Kern and Roger Reid were absent.
Others present for the meeting included: John Gossett, President; Deborah Bailey, Vice President Economic and Workforce Development and Continuing Education; Amanda Edwards, Executive Director, College Advancement; Kerri Glover, Executive Director of Community Relations and Marketing; Cris Harshman, Vice President of Operations/CIO; Fairley Patton, Vice President of Student Services; Darryl Rhymes, Director, Employment & Employee Relations; Dana Moore, Dean, Engineering, Transportation & Technology; Ashley Leonard, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call to Order
At 3:02 p.m., Chair Banks read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll; a quorum was present.
Consent Agenda
At 3:04 p.m., Chair Banks asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. King moved to approve the Consent Agenda items:
- February 6, 2025, Board Meeting Minutes; and
- Personnel Actions. Dr. Parham seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Resolution/Action Item
- Ms. Dana Moore informed the Board that the College would like to offer a certificate in Early Childhood Administration. The certificate is composed of learning opportunities in developmental theories, competency, and evidence-based professional knowledge, administrative skills, and leadership qualities. Most Early Childhood courses are taken online, and there is no additional cost to the College to offer the certificate.
- Dr. Justus moved to approve the College’s application for the Early Childhood Administration Certificate. Chief Penland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Trustee Business
- Chair Banks asked the Board to let Ms. Rice know if they would like to attend the March 19-21, 2025, NCACCT Law-Legislative Seminar.
- Chair Banks asked the Board to nominate a Trustee to serve on the Audit Committee. Dr. Weinert volunteered to join, and Ms. Ramsey agreed to continue to serve on the Audit Committee.
- Dr. Justus moved to accept Dr. Weinert and Ms. Ramsey as members of the College’s Audit Committee. Ms. Lewis seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
President’s Report
Dr. Gossett shared the following with the Board:
- March 4 is the College’s Professional Development Day. We are very appreciative that Dr. Weinert and Firehouse Subs are catering lunch for our employees.
- After meeting with Senator Hise, we are hopeful that the General Assembly will approve an expansion of A-B Tech Madison.
- SACSCOC was on campus recently to review our prison programs. The College received an excellent report, with no recommendations. Thanks to Dr. Gene Loflin for all of his hard work in making this happen.
- Our ten-year review with SACSCOC is scheduled for this September.
- Planning for the College’s next Strategic Plan has begun.
- The Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony was held last week. There are 414 students on the Dean’s List, and 224 students on the President’s List.
- Trustee King and Dr. Gossett met with Ms. JeWana Grier-McEachin to discuss equity work and how A-B Tech can become more involved in the community.
- The A-B Tech/Buncombe County Joint Capital Advisory Committee held its annual meeting in February. The Committee reviewed current, in-progress, and completed Article 46-funded projects, the Article 46 Fund Balance, renovations at A-B Tech Enka, and Biltmore West.
- The College requested and was approved to use $100,000 from Article 46 funds to upgrade countertops and cabinets in the Veterinary Tech program.
- Presidents and Superintendents met last week and discussed mental health, natural disasters, how we reacted to the disaster, and how we moved forward.
- A representative from Speaker Hall’s office called asking what the College’s needs were and how the General Assembly could help.
Staff Report
Ms. Patrycja Manning and Mr. Ryan Cappetti from Advanced Manufacturing presented Fabricating the Future: 3D Printing’s Impact on Industry to the Board. The following information was provided while a 3D printer was in use in the background:
- 3D printers print in plastic, metal, and tissue (organs, skin for burn victims, etc.).
- The 3D printer being demonstrated is printing in plastic. The printer heats up plastic thread and creates an object layer by layer. Once cooled, the object solidifies.
- We currently have ten students enrolled in the 3D printing program.
- 3D printed objects have applications in many areas, such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries.
- Advanced Manufacturing contributes to real-world innovation, and wages tend to be higher than average manufacturing wages across all industries.
- What starts as a hobby can become very desirable to manufacturing companies, and demand for skilled workers in 3D printing has skyrocketed!
The presentation concluded with handing out A-B Tech key chains that were 3D printed during the presentation to the Board!
SGA Report
SGA President Ms. Mariana Flores shared that a new Dungeons and Dragons Club, combined with engineering, is very popular with students. The SGA volunteers with Habitat for Humanity on the third Friday of every month and helps build houses in the Asheville area. Students are participating in crafting, painting, and outdoor activities at a greater rate this semester. Finally, we continue to volunteer with Manna Foodbank and help our fellow students when needed.
Closed Session
At 3:35 p.m., Mr. King moved that the Trustees enter into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (1) and (3) to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 115D-27-29 and to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege.” Mr. Garrison seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
At 3:55 p.m., Mr. Garrison moved to return to Open Session. Dr. Weinert seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Dr. Parham moved to terminate the Computer-Aided Drafting Technology Program. Chief Penland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Informational Items
The 2024-2025 Student Success Scorecard, Division Updates, and the State and County Budget Report as of January 31, 2025, are included in the Board packet.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at A-B Tech Madison.
Adjourn
Upon a properly made motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice,
Board Secretary