Members present: Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair; A. Joyce Price-Jones, Vice Chair; Keshawn Johnson; Dr. M. Alexandra Matiella Novak; Sandra E. Moore; Jennifer Pastrone; Anelle R. Tumminello; and Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr.
Absent: Roxana Rodriguez and JaCina Stanton-Buttrom
I. Call to Order - Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair
The meeting was called to order at 4:00pm.
II. Roll Call and Approval of the Agenda - Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair
Dr. Chien asked for the roll call, and a quorum was established. By motion of Mr. Ulvila seconded by Ms. Price-Jones and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the agenda.
III. Vote to Close Session
By motion of Ms. Moore, seconded by Ms. Pastrone, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the vote to close the meeting to consult with counsel with matters that relate to the collective bargaining negotiations pursuant to Sections 3-305(b)(7), 3-305(b)(9) and of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code Section 3-305(d)(2)(i)(ii).
IV. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:04pm.
A closed session of the Board of Trustees was held on June 17, 2025, at the Anne Arundel Community College Arnold Campus, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012, in the Cade Center for Fine Arts Building, Room 228. Pursuant to sections §§3-305(b)(1), 3-305(b)(7) and 3-305(b)(8) of the Open Meetings Act, a vote was taken to close the meeting pursuant to the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code Section 3-305(d)(2)(i)(ii). The following Board members voted to close the session: Nadine Chien, Chair; A. Joyce Price-Jones, Vice Chair; Devin Keller (via Zoom); Sandra E. Moore; Jennifer Pastrone; Roxana Rodriguez; Anelle Tumminello; and Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr. The following Board members were present at the meeting: Nadine Chien, Chair; A. Joyce Price-Jones, Vice Chair; Devin Keller (via phone); Sandra E. Moore; Jennifer Pastrone; Anelle Tumminello; and Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr. Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President; Melissa Beardmore, Vice President for Learning Resources Management; Dr. Rick Kralevich, Vice President for Information and Instructional Technology; Dr. Tanya Millner, Provost/Vice President for Learning; Dr. Felicia Patterson, Vice President for Learner Support Services; Garrett Wozniak, Attorney, IslerDare; and Monica Rausa, Special Assistant to the President were present as well. The meeting began at 5:08 p.m. The topics discussed included consulting with counsel to obtain legal advice and staff about pending or potential litigation, and to consider matters related to collective bargaining. Ms. Beardmore, Dr. Kralevich, Dr. Millner, Dr. Patterson, Mr. Wozniak, and Ms. Rausa left the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
The Board of Trustees discussed the performance evaluation of the President. Dr. Lindsay left the meeting at 6:20 p.m. and rejoined at 6:50 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Public Session
September 9, 2025
Members present: Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair; A. Joyce Price-Jones, Vice Chair; Keshawn Johnson; Dr. M. Alexandra Matiella Novak; Sandra E. Moore; Jennifer Pastrone (via Zoom); Roxana Rodriguez; JaCina Stanton-Buttrom, Esq.; Anelle R. Tumminello; and Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr.
I. Call to Order - Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair
The meeting was called to order at 4:00pm.
II. Roll Call and Approval of the Agenda - Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair
Dr. Chien asked for the roll call, and a quorum was established. By motion of Ms. Price- Jones, seconded by Ms. Moore, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the agenda.
III. Welcome and Introductions - Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair
Dr. Chien welcomed everyone to the new academic year, 2025 - 2026, on behalf of the Board of Trustees. She shared the Board’s excitement to begin another year of serving students by providing the high-quality, affordable education they deserve. She described Anne Arundel Community College as a crown jewel among community colleges, ranking among the highest in the nation thanks to the dedication of faculty and staff. However, she emphasized that external factors beyond the College’s control continue to impact its ability to keep that jewel shining bright. Reflecting on her remarks from when she began her tenure as chair last year, Dr. Chien reminded everyone of the changing times and the need for the College to adapt accordingly.
She noted that fiscal health remains a major concern. The College has experienced unpredictable public funding for over a decade, and the full impact of the Federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act on higher education is still unclear. She cautioned that state and county budgets may tighten further as resources are redirected to other services reduced at the Federal level. In 2025, state funding trended downward, and the County did not fully meet the College’s budget request. As a result, sacrifices had to be made to provide the 5% pay increase that faculty and staff deserved, and tuition was raised, an especially difficult decision for the Board. Dr. Chien warned that these challenges are expected to persist.
Despite these fiscal pressures, Dr. Chien shared positive developments. For the past decade, the College has been steadily building capacity, laying the foundation to allocate resources effectively in support of student success. She expressed gratitude to past and present Board members for their vision and determination in directing the president to analyze academic programs with a focus on long-term fiscal sustainability. This work is already showing results: class cancellations have decreased without the loss of full-time positions, enrollment is rising, and retention is improving. She reaffirmed that academic programs remain student-centered, mission-aligned, and fiscally responsible.
Dr. Chien acknowledged that change is not easy and can create fear and uncertainty, especially given the external forces challenging the College’s fiscal health. While the Board does not make operational decisions, she assured her colleagues that they are carefully monitoring as the College strengthens its capacity. Looking ahead, she expressed optimism that the College is well-positioned to weather these storms with clarity of direction and purpose. She closed by thanking faculty and staff for their continued commitment to students, the College’s true north star, and wished them a reinvigorated start to the year.
A. Board of Trustees Member M. Alexandra Matiella Novak, Ph.D.
B. Board of Trustees Student Member Keshawn Johnson
Dr. Chien welcomed two new Board of Trustee members.
Dr. M. Alexandra Matiella Novak is a planetary volcanologist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Her research focuses on volcanic material on rocky planets and moons, contributing to NASA missions such as the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, Europa Clipper, and Dragonfly. Dr. Chien highlighted her passion for inspiring the next generation of the STEM workforce, her commitment to preparing future scientists and engineers, and her volunteer work supporting victims and families affected by gun violence. She also noted her academic achievements, earning her Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Geology from Michigan Technological University.
Dr. Chien introduced Keshawn Johnson as the new student member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson is a second-year computer science student at AACC and previously served on the Principal’s Advisory Council at Glen Burnie High School. He also worked as a Youth Development Professional at the Boys & Girls Club at Freetown Village, where he mentored youth and supported their growth. At AACC, he is active in the Student Achievement and Success Program and the Black Male Institute, where he continues to demonstrate leadership through mentorship and advocacy.
IV. Approval of 2025-2026 Full-time Faculty Tenure Track and Term Appointments – Dr. Tanya Millner, Provost/Vice President for Learning
A. Approval of the 2025-2026 Full-Time Faculty Tenure Track and Term Appointments
B. Introduction of New Faculty
Dr. Millner asked the Board to approve the full-time faculty tenure-track and term appointments for 2025-2026. With approval of the full-time faculty appointments, instructional staffing for the Schools of Business and Law, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Science, Technology, and Education, will be sufficient for the effective delivery of academic programs. Funding for the requested faculty appointments will come from the Division of Learning operating budget.
By motion of Ms. Price-Jones, seconded by Ms. Tumminello, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2025-2026 Full-time Faculty Tenure Track and Term Appointments.
Dr. Millner introduced the new faculty to the Board: Dr. Alex Colucci, Assistant Professor of Geography; Christopher Eninger, Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology; Dr. Juli Hawk, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Nnamdi Idika, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Charles Karpati, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems; Jennifer Lefler, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Dr. Ken Lew, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity, Networking, & Digital Forensics; Cindy Shank, Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology; Kaitlyn Spicknall, Assistant Professor of Nursing; John Tran, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medical Services; Nancy Weibell, Assistant Professor of Biology; and Dr. Christine Zabala-Eisshofer, Assistant Professor of Academic Literacies.
V. Consent Agenda
Dr. Chien presented the Consent Agenda. By motion of Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Ulvila, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Consent Agenda:
• Approval of the Minutes of the June 17, 2025, Board of Trustees Public Session
• Approval of the Minutes of the June 17, 2025, Board of Trustees Closed Session
• Approval of the Minutes of the September 3, 2025, Board of Trustees Public Session
• Approval of the Minutes of the September 3, 2025, Board of Trustees Closed Session
VI. Board Committee Reports
A. Reports for September
1. Audit & Finance Committee – JaCina Stanton-Buttrom, Committee Chair
The Board Audit and Finance Committee met via Zoom on August 25, to discuss the fiscal year (FY) 2025 audit, the committee’s roles and responsibilities as set forth in the committee charter, accounting procedures and regulatory updates, the FY 2025 financial status report, and the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust. The committee also discussed future meetings.
Ms. Christina Bowman, Principal, and Katie Orris, Manager, from CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP presented an overview of the planned FY 2025 audit, including the scope of services and deliverables, audit approach, plan and timing, preliminary risk assessment, and regulatory and accounting standards updates with anticipated implementation dates. Ms. Bowman requested input from the committee on any additional areas of focus and concluded by providing direct contact information to ensure open access should the committee wish to have further direct conversations. The committee also reviewed its roles and responsibilities in the charter, received updates on the implementation of a new Governmental Accounting Standards Board accounting standard, and heard a presentation on the College’s Information Security and Continuity of Operations from Vice President of Information and Instructional Technology Richard Kralevich, Mike Rees, and Matthew Davis of Zaviant.
The committee discussed the FY 2025 operating budget status report as of August 20, noting that the anticipated annual results project a balanced budget with the College operating within existing resources. They received an update on the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust, which holds approximately $33 million as of June 30, and learned of the County’s additional $76,200 contribution in July for FY 2026, marking the sixth county-funded contribution. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for October 15, where the audit results and draft financial statements will be reviewed.
2. Board Policy Oversight Committee – A. Joyce Price-Jones, Committee Chair
While the committee did not meet, it reviewed an interim policy request via email, the Interim Immigration Enforcement Response Policy.
The request is in response to House Bill (HB) 1222, the Maryland Values Act, which restricts immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, including institutions of higher education. The Act requires institutions to adopt a policy consistent with guidance issued by the Attorney General by October 1.
The committee recommended that the Board Chair delegate this authority to the President to create an interim policy to ensure compliance with the applicable state law.
3. Facilities Committee – Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr., Committee Chair
The committee met via Zoom on September 2 to discuss upcoming procurements, the 2026 Facilities Master Plan, and future meetings.
The committee reviewed the list of procurements planned for FY 2026 and agreed to defer discussion of the 2026 Facilities Master Plan to a future meeting. In the meantime, as the Board’s liaison to the steering committee, Mr. Ulvila volunteered to provide an interim update to the committee members who were unable to attend.
4. AACC Foundation – Dr. Nadine Chien, Lead Liaison
Mr. Johnson shared a thank you letter from a student who received a scholarship.
Dr. Chien reported that as of August 20, the AACC Foundation has raised just over $1 million in gifts and commitments toward its FY 2026 goal of $2 million, an extraordinary start to the year. Major gifts include $500,000 for single head-of-household students, $200,000 for Clauson Center students, $100,000 for STEM scholarships, and $100,000 for HelpLink and the Scholarship for Associate Degree Completion.
For FY 2025, which ended June 30, the Foundation raised $3.7 million in new gifts and commitments and transferred $2.35 million to the College. This funding supported $1.8 million in scholarships for over 800 students – a record year, $550,000 in programmatic support for equipment and program needs, and significant HelpLink funding that provided emergency microgrants to over 200 students and food access for more than 1,000 community members.
B. No Reports for September
1. Board Development Committee – Anelle R. Tumminello, Committee Chair
2. Budget Committee – Sandra E. Moore, Committee Chair
VII. President’s Report - Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President
A. Information Items
1. College Updates - Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President
Dr. Lindsay reported that the College held its fall Convocation on August 20, featuring Dr. Karen Stout, President and CEO of Achieving the Dream, as keynote speaker. Convocation concluded with a college-wide employee appreciation lunch, which she said was a great way to reconnect and reenergize for the new year.
She shared that enrollment was up, with full-time equivalent up 3.4% and headcount up 4% compared to the same time last year. On September 4, she attended the annual Service Awards Celebration, where faculty and staff were recognized for work anniversaries in five-year increments, up to 40 years of service.
Dr. Lindsay also noted that the League for Innovation in the Community College recently recognized AACC’s Accessibility Fellows program as a model of faculty leadership and collaboration. She explained that the initiative empowered faculty to serve as accessibility leaders within their disciplines, support colleagues, build community, and advance inclusive teaching practices. The program expanded the College’s capacity, strengthened cross-divisional collaboration, and reinforced AACC’s commitment to student success through digital accessibility.
2. Academic Forum/Council – Dr. Shelley De Blasis, Chair
Dr. DeBlasis, incoming Chair of the Academic Forum, introduced herself and shared her background. She noted that this is her seventh-year teaching at AACC and that she has taught college composition for more than 20 years at community colleges across the South, Midwest, and Southwest. A community college graduate herself, she holds two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s in English education, and a Ph.D. in English Rhetoric and Composition. She emphasized her commitment to teaching, learning, and advocating for community college students’ right to a rigorous and innovative academic program as the reason for serving as Academic Forum Chair.
She announced that Professor Sage Perkins will serve as Recorder and Dr. Nicole Williams as Parliamentarian. The first Academic Forum meeting will be held on Thursday, September 11, where committee co-chairs will present their goals for the year. She noted that work is already underway, including meetings of the Academic Standards Committee since mid-August and the launch of the new Academic Integrity Review Committee.
Finally, Dr. DeBlasis reported that the Academic Forum’s ad hoc Subcommittee on Syllabus Excellence Collaborative provided updated syllabus templates before the semester began. These templates meet new accessibility standards, which she highlighted as a significant achievement.
3. Administrative Staff Organization (ASO) – Stacy Korbelak, President
Ms. Stacy Korbelak, Assistant Dean for Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurial Studies, introduced herself as the new ASO president for the 2025–2026 academic year and recognized the ASO leadership team: Vice President Dr. Angelo Thalassinidis, Secretary Dr. Lance Bowen, and At-Large members Kathy Campbell, Amberdawn Cheatham, Dr. Lori Perez, and Dr. Darian Senn-Carter.
She reported that the ASO is planning its fall general meeting for October 1, which will include training on the new payroll system, a review of 2026 benefit changes, and a discussion of collective bargaining for non-faculty supervisors.
4. Professional and Support Staff Organization (PSSO) – Caitlin Silver Negrón, President
Ms. Silver Negrón expressed her honor to return as PSSO President for a second year and noted that Vice President Rachel Ryckman is also serving a second term. She welcomed Hannah Hollamon as Secretary and reported that PSSO began the year with New Academic Year Kickoffs at both Arnold and Arundel Mills, offering opportunities for connection and feedback.
She shared that PSSO held its FY 2026 goal-setting meeting in late August, reviewing last year’s accomplishments and discussing focus areas for the current year. Draft goals are included in her written report and will be finalized and shared in the next report.
Looking ahead, PSSO will host a Meet the Officers with Public Safety professional enrichment session later this month and has a full lineup of enrichment sessions planned for the fall. Planning is underway for the fall Professional Enrichment Day on November 6, which will feature in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions.
5. Student Government Association (SGA) – Chris Chambers, President
Mr. Chambers, a second-year engineering student elected last spring, shared that the SGA was planning an ambitious year and working to rebuild strong leadership post-COVID. He introduced the Executive Board: Dammy Oyewumi, Executive Vice President; Jolie So, Vice President of Public Relations; Daniel Amaya, Vice President of Outreach; and Hannah Slowe, Vice President of Finance, and noted that two positions, Vice President of Campus Activities and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, were expected to be filled by early October.
He reported on recent Welcome Week activities, including tabling events and student engagement, resulting in 57 new email list sign-ups. Senate elections were scheduled for early October, with applications opening September 15 and promoted during the September 12 General Forum. The SGA had begun launching a newsletter to improve communication and provide resources such as financial literacy tips, in addition to expanding its virtual suggestion box and increasing outreach through posters and social media.
Mr. Chambers announced that the next General Forum was scheduled for September 12 and would feature presentations from the Office of Community Standards and an overview of The Nest, which would serve as a key communication tool for clubs and students. He also noted student concerns about the increase in class minimums to 15 students, with a petition of 886 signatures submitted. He reported that a meeting with Vice Presidents Beardmore and Patterson was scheduled for September 11 and expressed hope for a future town hall to address student concerns.
6. The Faculty Organization – Heather Riordan, President
Ms. Heather Riordan introduced herself, noting this is her 21st year as full-time faculty and that she remains deeply committed to serving and impacting students at AACC. She recognized her officers: Zoe Farquhar, Vice President; Cameron Caswell, Recorder; and Anne Bach-Starling, Parliamentarian; and thanked last year’s officers for ensuring a smooth transition. She described this as a year of transition for The Faculty Organization (TFO), reaffirming its role as the voice of the faculty and its collaboration with the College and the new union, Riverhawks Educators United.
She reported that TFO’s first meeting has been held, committees are active, and goals have been posted online and are on track for approval in October. Promotion and tenure processes are already underway. She called this the “year of opportunity and communication,” emphasizing faculty involvement in shaping the future collective bargaining agreement and the creation of an ad hoc committee to review the credit system for equity.
In terms of communication, Ms. Riordan highlighted the continuation of the weekly “Monday Minute” newsletter and progress in re-establishing monthly leadership meetings with College administration.
7. Maryland Association of Community Colleges Activities – Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President
Dr. Lindsay shared with the new trustees that the Maryland Association of Community Colleges or MACC advocates for the State’s 16 community colleges. She added that the MACC Board of Directors, composed of each college’s president and board chair, sets the strategic direction for community colleges and meets twice a year. At the June 24 meeting, the Board reviewed the annual report, adopted the budget, and elected officers. Dr. Lindsay will continue serving on the MACC Executive Committee this year.
She also reported on the Maryland Council of Community College Presidents retreat held August 4–5 at Wor-Wic College, where Senator Guy Guzzone, Delegate Stephanie Smith, and Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary Sanjay Rai joined the presidents to discuss the State Plan for Postsecondary Education and Transfer.
B. Action Items
1. Approval of the 2025 Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Performance Accountability Report – Dr. Tanya Millner, Provost/Vice President for Learning
Dr. Millner reported on the Performance Accountability Report (PAR), an annual requirement of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The PAR includes 28 accountability indicators and student characteristics with benchmarks set in 2021. As this is the final year of the reporting cycle, institutions compared results to benchmarks, assessed goal attainment, and outlined improvement plans. She emphasized that the PAR aligns with AACC’s areas of focus and integrates into assessment and continuous improvement efforts under the strategic plan.
She noted that AACC’s responses to MHEC’s annual prompts highlighted successes in tutoring, retention, counseling, and dual enrollment advising, as well as initiatives such as the Enrollment, Retention, and Completion Council, Course and Section Level Data Review, and policy updates that sustain institutional change.
Key demographic highlights from fall 2024 included 74.0% part-time enrollment, 47.9% of credit students identifying as nonwhite, which exceeded benchmarks, 24.3% first-generation students, the highest level in four years, and a 6.3% increase in financial aid participation. Tuition and fees remained below the 45.0% affordability benchmark. Minority representation among administrative and professional staff reached 22.2%, exceeding benchmarks, while full-time faculty diversity remained 20.7% below target. Persistence, completion, and graduation and transfer rates exceeded benchmarks, and retention improved to 63.3%, up from 60.5% last year.
Dr. Millner highlighted initiatives to strengthen belonging and student success, including the HEDS Sense of Community Survey and the Academic Portfolio Review. Health profession programs posted strong outcomes, with 100% pass rates in Practical Nursing and Radiological Technology, over 90% in EMT-Paramedic and Nursing-RN, and above-national-average results in most others. The College is expanding licensure and certification offerings through online, hybrid, and modular formats to meet workforce needs. She concluded that the President and Vice Presidents will use PAR results alongside institutional KPIs as a tool for ongoing assessment and improvement.
Ms. Tumminello commended the extraordinary number of indicators exceeding benchmarks, calling it a testament to the College community. Ms. Moore praised the high percentage of first-generation students, asked about the significance of Pell Grant benchmarks (60.0%, slightly below target), and expressed appreciation that Pell Grants continue to receive federal funding, now extended to support workforce development. Dr. Millner explained that benchmarks are set by MHEC and emphasized that Pell Grant recipients’ performance is a key equity measure.
By motion of Mr. Ulvila, seconded by Ms. Stanton-Buttrom, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2025 Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Performance Accountability Report.
VIII. New Business
There was no new business.
IX. Next Board Meeting
The next public session meeting will be October 14, 2025 at 4:00pm.
X. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:09pm.
A closed session of the Board of Trustees was held on September 3, 2025 via Zoom. Pursuant to Sections §§ 3-305(b)(7) and 3-305(b)(9) of the Open Meetings Act, a vote was taken to close the meeting pursuant to the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code Section 3-305(d)(2)(i)(ii). The following Board members voted to close the session: Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair; A. Joyce Price-Jones, Vice Chair; Keshawn Johnson; Dr. M. Alexandra Matiella Novak; Sandra E. Moore; Jennifer Pastrone; Anelle R. Tumminello; and Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr. The following Board members were present at the meeting: Dr. Nadine Chien, Chair; Joyce Price-Jones, Vice Chair; Keshawn Johnson; Dr. M. Alexandra Matiella Novak; Sandra E. Moore; Jennifer Pastrone; Roxana Rodriguez (joined at 4:25pm); Anelle Tumminello; and Lawrence W. Ulvila, Jr. Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President; Melissa Beardmore, Vice President, Learning Resources Management; Dr. Richard Kralevich, Vice President, Information and Instructional Technology; Dr. Tanya Millner, Provost/Vice President, Learning; Dr. Felicia Patterson, Vice President, Learner Support Services; Garrett Wozniak, Attorney, IslerDare; and Monica Rausa, Special Assistant to the President were present at well. The topics discussed included obtaining legal advice regarding collective bargaining. The meeting began at 4:11pm and ended at 4:39pm.