Board of Regents approved new policies, received several informational reports during its quarterly meeting Tuesday

The Tennessee Board of Regents approved several new policies and policy revisions and received informational reports on student success initiatives, fundraising and other activities during its quarterly meeting Tuesday (Dec. 12, 2023).

The board governs Tennessee’s public community and technical colleges. The full agenda, executive summary, all board materials and reports, and an archived recording of the meeting are posted on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu/board/december-2023-quarterly-board-meeting.

President Shanna L. Jackson of Nashville State Community College, President Laura Travis and newly retired President Arrita Summers of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Dickson, and President Nathan Garrett of TCAT Nashville -- along with a student from each of the three institutions -- delivered presentations to board members on activities on their campuses. Each of the three students, all nearing graduation, reported on their personal journeys and experiences and assistance they received in pursuing their education.

Dr. Heidi Leming, TBR vice chancellor for student success, updated the board on several of the system’s 13 high impact practices (HIPs) for student success. One of the HIPs is the systemwide study abroad program, and the report included a video presentation by students and faculty who participated in a study abroad program this summer in the Alps region of Europe.

The TBR system operates its own study abroad program through the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies, based at Pellissippi State Community College, and students may receive financial assistance to participate in study abroad programs. Tennessee has one of the nation's largest community college study abroad participation rates, and Pellissippi ranks first in the nation among community colleges for its number of students who study abroad.

The report also included an update on scaling up the system's Comprehensive Learner Record initiative that enables students to list a much broader range of accomplishments than in traditional transcripts of grades and degrees earned, including participation in internships, certificates earned and other activities, for presentation to potential employers.

The Board of Regents also approved new technical program implementations, including a computer information technology program at TCAT Memphis, a pre-practical nursing program for high school dual enrollment students at TCAT Crossville, a millwright skills program at TCAT Chattanooga, and off-road diesel technology and a patient care technology/medical assisting programs at TCAT Elizabethton.

Board members approved resolutions honoring recently retired Presidents Laura Monks of TCAT Shelbyville and Arrita Summers of TCAT Dickson, TCAT Chattanooga Vice President James Barrott, TBR Vice Chancellor for Organizational Effectiveness Wendy Thompson, and former Regent Weston Wamp, now mayor of Hamilton County.

The board also approved a memorial resolution honoring the late Volunteer State President Dr. Orinthia Montague, who passed away in September. Her husband, Michael McGhee, accepted the resolution and briefly addressed the board.

The board approved several new and revised policy proposals revolving around advertising, branding, marketing and communications, publications, social media, web publishing, mass communications, internal audit, and academic retention and readmission to colleges of applied technology. In other action, the board approved revised institutional budgets, faculty emeritus designations, faculty promotions, and compensation proposals from three community colleges.