Pictured: Dr. Chris McAllister and four Biology students attended the meeting to discuss their latest fish parasite research. José Fuentes is pictured presenting his findings.
The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees met for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Vice-Chair Russell East led the meeting in the absence of Chairman Robin Sharp. All other trustees were present.
Student Spotlight
The meeting began with a Student Spotlight by the NTCC Department of Natural Sciences. Dr. Chris McAllister, Professor of Biology, was joined by four students to talk about their cutting-edge research on fish parasites. For the past few years, McAllister has worked with ambitious independent study students to conduct field research in Arkansas and Oklahoma. This has resulted in numerous students having the opportunity to present at conferences and publish research in scientific journals. Students in attendance at the meeting were Xenia Esparza, Estefani Garcia, José Fuentes, and Cecilia Phan. Each gave a brief overview of their research findings. Dr. Lesa Presley, Division Chair for Biology & Chemistry, was also present to show her support.
"I'm very proud of this project and the work these students have done. There are very few community colleges offering these types of opportunities," McAllister said. "Field experience and published research is valuable when they move on to a university and beyond."
President's Report
In his President's Report, Dr. Kevin Rose covered the following items of interest:
- Highlighted several Phi Theta Kappa awards that were recently announced:
- Stephanie Hernandez received a prestigious New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship
- Jose Fuentes is a finalist for International President of Phi Theta Kappa. He will campaign at the International Catalyst conference in Baltimore, Maryland in late March. There are only four finalists out of more than 200,000 active PTK members worldwide.
- Dr. Anna Ingram, Vice President for Instruction, was named a Distinguished College Administrator and will be included in the Texas Hall of Honor for Distinguished College Administrators
- Rose received the Paragon Award for New College Presidents and will be included in the Texas Hall of Honor for New Presidents.
- Rose presented the board with a resolution prepared by Texas Senator Bryan Hughes' office acknowledging
NTCC's 40th anniversary. - Announced that NTCC nursing has been granted candidacy status for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). While nursing has been producing successful licensed Texas nurses for decades, this accreditation will lend the program even more credibility on a national level.
- Reported that the NTCC Foundation received $96,824.84 in gifts and grants during the month of January. This included a $44,360 gift to establish the Chuck and Sarah Johns Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Items of Information
Kim Irvin, Vice President for Student Services, gave a Spring 2026 enrollment report under Items of Information. Details included the following:
- Headcount is up 12% over Spring 2025
- Credit Hours are up 13% over Spring 2025
- Dual credit growth continues to drive enrollment
Action Items
- Approved the Consent Agenda but pulled one item out for a separate vote.
- Voted to approve canceling the May 2, 2026 Trustee Election. All three incumbents for Place 2 - Brian Applegate, Place 3 - Sondra Fowler, Place 6 - Robin Sharp were unopposed, so there was no requirement to hold an election.
- Brandi Cave, Vice President for Administrative Services, gave a finance report, which was approved unanimously.
- Approved TASB Risk Management Fund to continue as the college's general liability policy provider. The cost included a 2.23% increase over last year's policy.
- Approved a request by SWEPCO for a temporary easement on college property near the driving pad. Temporary access is granted for surveying with the anticipation of a proposal for a permanent easement later.
Personnel Action
The board approved hiring the following employees:
- Kenzie Taylor, Director of Continuing Education
- Christopher Weisinger, Police Officer
- Austin Maness, Director of the Carroll Shelby Automotive Institute
- Yadira Nevarez Betancourt, Staff Accountant
The board tabled the final agenda item regarding discussion of the annual board evaluation process until a later meeting. An executive session was held with no further business when the meeting reconvened.
