Board of Directors Meeting | ACTC

Leadership

Board of Directors Meeting

BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING
College Drive Campus- John & Pat Stewart Board Room
April 30th, 2025
Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:

John C. Stewart Jr., Ben Collier, Chris Slone, Roxanne Neal, Abby Bingham, Laura Patrick, Rick Clark

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Amanda Collins, Ann Perkins

ALSO PRESENT:

Dr. Larry Ferguson, Steve Flouhouse, Steve Woodburn, Megan Smedley, Karen Blevins, Kellie Allen, Taylor Robinette

CALL TO ORDER

The Board Chair, John Stewart Jr., called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Larry Ferguson, President & CEO of Ashland Community & Technical College welcomed the Board of Directors members and acknowledged their dedication to the college during this special presidential evaluation meeting. Dr. Ferguson used a PowerPoint presentation (see attached copy) to update the board members. The update included a review of the college's institutional leadership, current strategic plan, and the 2025-2026 proposed budget.

Other highlights from Dr. Ferguson's report included:

  • ACTC exceeded expectations on the most current PACE survey.
  • ACTC has secured performance-based funding for the fourth year in a row.
  • ACTC currently has 28 million dollars in ongoing construction projects, making sure our students are set for the future.
  • There is a new master plan in the works to ensure the college remains in good shape for years to come.
  • Dr. Ferguson expressed what an honor it is for ACTC to be awarded the Aspen award for the second time.
  • The board members were updated on SJR 179, and Dr. Ferguson committed to monitoring movement and updating the board as information becomes available.

Dr. Ferguson presented the proposed 2025—2026 budget plan to the board for review.
Chair John Stewart invited comments or questions from board members; none were raised.

A motion to approve the proposed budget was initiated by Ben Collier and seconded by Rick Clark.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation.

FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENT & CABINET REPORTS

Faculty Report given by Chris Slone (copy attached).

Staff Report given by Roxanne Neal (copy attached).

Student Report given by Abby Bingham (copy attached).

Cabinet Reports made by Steve Flouhouse (copies attached).

BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS

John Stewart opened the floor for comments. Several members expressed their gratitude towards Dr. Ferguson and the college.

Chris Slone added that college enrollment is declining nationwide and the fact that ACTC is maintaining their enrollment speaks volumes of Dr. Ferguson and the ACTC team.

John Stewart Jr. praised Dr. Ferguson for his support of our nontraditional students specifically ACTC's partnership with local high schools and the new partnership with the Kentucky Department of Corrections.

Ben Collier added that the board recognizes that lobbying is not an easy task and acknowledges how monumental Dr. Ferguson's achievements are. He stated his efforts to ensure educational access to eastern Kentucky and the local labor force is monumental.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 a.m. by Board Chair John Stewart, Jr.

Student Government Report

Abigail Bingham
Feb. '25 - May '25

Past Events

  • Feb. 21st: Hot Cocoa Table @ CDC, TDC, & RDC. Total 21 students
  • March 17th: SGA had an Information table with popcorn @ the "Grad Bash" event @ CDC. Total students: N/A
  • March 18th: SGA had an Information table with popcorn @ the "Grad Bash" event @ TDC. Total students: N/A
  • April 2nd : SGA had a temporary tattoo table with gummies at the "Spring Festival" hosted my S.S.S
  • April 18th : SGA Hosted the seconded annual "Blossom Ball". Total of students: 45
  • April 29th : SGA hosted a De-Stress day. Total of students: N/A

Student Voice

We have no current student concerns. 

ACTC Board of Advisors (formerly Board of Directors)
Meeting April 30, 2025 @ 8:30 am (CDC)
STAFF

Staff Executive Council members

  • Chair: Megan Clark, Administrative Assistant II, Technical Education 
  • Vice-Chair: Kayla Acosta, Academic Advisor/ Student Activities
  • Secretary: Madison Klaiber, Public Relations Specialist
  • Staff Member: Erin Cantrell, Academic Advisor
  • Staff Member: Heather Estes, Workforce Solutions Coordinator
  • Staff Member: Amanda Haney, Administrative Assistant II, Arts & Sciences
  • Staff Member: Stephanie Hite, Financial Aid Advisor
  • Staff Member: Jessica Slone, Administrative Assistant II, Health Sciences
  • Staff Member: Lori West, Facilities Team Leader
  • Board of Advisors Staff Representative: Roxanne Neal, Director of Business Affairs   
  • Foundation Board of Directors Staff Representative: Jennifer Allen, Academic Advisor/ Transfer

February 2025

Lecture Series (February 25-27) associated with Transfer Program Fair  

  • College Drive Campus
  • The theme was "Become an Investigator" — topics included cybersecurity, journalism, history, medicine, and more.
  • Open to the entire ACTC Community and can be attended in-person or remotely.
  • Speakers included faculty/ staff from ACTC: Kayla Acosta, Jennifer Allen, Valerie Biggs, Dr. Sara Brown, David Childress, Wendy Fosterwelsh, Coy Hall, Pamela Klinepeter, Rob Langford, Janet Thompson, Laura Tussey, Ashley Vanderpool; Baili Akin (Mid-America College of Funeral Service), Keally Beatty (Marshall University), Mary Claire Collins (Morehead State University), Allison Goble (Re/ MAX Realty Connection LLC), Constance Howlett (Mid-America College of Funeral Service), James Lanham (Marshall University), and John Sammons (Marshall University).
  • Students were provided with a unique opportunity to get direct advice on how to make their goals a reality, meet new friends, and engage in dialogue.

March 2025

Spring 2025 Technical and Professional Career Fair at ACTC (March 6)

  • Technology Drive Campus
  • Student in attendance: 176
  • Participating employers: ACP Technologies, Boyd CAT, Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Commercial Bank of Grayson, Daniele Corporation, Danimer Scientific, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Huntington Electrical JATC, IBEW 317 / ALBAT, Intermountain Electronics, Kentucky Army National Guard, Kentucky Career Center, Kynect-KPCA, Local 248, Manpower, Marathon Petroleum Company, Marshall University, Masterpiece Kitchen, McGinnis, Inc., New River Electrical Corporation, Northeast KY CAA, Northeast Kynect, Ross Real Estate Services, SABIC Plastics, State Electric Supply Company, Steel of West Virginia, Inc., Texas Roadhouse, Toyota WV, UK St. Claire, United States Coast Guard, Valero Renewables, Western and Southern Life, and West Virginia Electric Supply Company.
  • Over 100 students waited at the entrance before the doors opened showed enthusiasm for the event and demonstrated how seriously our ACTC faculty and staff approached this opportunity.

Pathfinder Celebration (March 1 1)

  • Honoring ACTC alumni
  • Alumni are ambassadors for ACTC, inspiring future generations of students to believe that they can find their path at ACTC, too.
  • Each alumnus was presented with a walking path brick, which symbolizes the lasting impact of alumni.
  • Bricks are available for purchase. Proceeds support ACTC students through scholarships, food pantry, emergency funding, and other needs.

Spring 2025 Health Sciences and Health Professions Career Fair (March 31)

  • College Drive Campus
  • Students in attendance: 83
  • Participating employers: Community Hospice, FirstLight Home Care, Harbor Healthcare, Hospice of Huntington, Inc., Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Career Center, Kynect, Marshall Health Network, Marshall University, Necco Center, Northeast Community Action-KYNECT, Pathways, Ramey-Estep/ Re-Group, ScribeAmerica, Southern Ohio Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Three Rivers Medical Center, UK King's Daughters Medical Center, UK St. Claire, Valley Health, and Western and Southern.
  • The event provided students with valuable opportunities to advance their careers.

Easter Basket Donations

  • Staff Executive Council accepted donations from College Drive, Roberts Drive, and Technology Drive Campuses to create Easter Baskets for a nursing home.
  • Donations included
  • ChapSticks, fuzzy socks, lotions, and puzzles
  • Forty-one Easter baskets went to Boyd Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

April 2025

Annual Giving Day (April 16)

  • Eight-two (82) donors from 16 states supported ACTC
  • A total of $4,686.04 was raised during the event
  • Donations will support the college's greatest needs, including scholarships, the food pantry, Phi Theta Kappa, and essential resources that empower students to succeed.

2025-2026 Staff Executive Council positions

  • Nominations for Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and six (6) representatives from any area of the college.
  • These are one-year terms.
  • MUST be a voting staff member and must have been employed by the college for a minimum of 1 year as of May 1, 2025

May 2025

ACTC Graduation (May 9)

  • Paramount Arts Center at 6:30 p.m.  
  • Everyone is invited.

June 2025

Staff Conference (June 5)

  • Theme: Get Your Game On (8 am-3 pm)
  • College Drive Campus
  • Each Staff Executive Council member is donating two (2) $5 gifts as door prizes.  
  • Food: sandwich sliders, chicken tenders, potato salad, cookies, brownies, assorted sodas, etc.
  • Robert Langford (Criminal Justice Coordinator) plans to have simulator games.
  • Dale Queen (Communications Professor) plans to offer music trivia.
  • Steve Woodburn (Chief Student Affairs Officer) is going to present "Juggling Life."  
  • Additional information is forthcoming.

Roxanne Neal, MA. 
ACTC Staff Representative (2023-2026)
Director of Business Affairs

Cabinet Report

Steve Flouhouse

The college will have a SACSCOC committee visit on April 14-16 regarding the college's Prison Education Program at the Little Sandy Correctional Complex. The SACSCOC committee will comprise three members, including the college's assigned SACSCOC vice president. The committee report is due March 3. The committee will arrive and begin work on the afternoon of April 14th . They will visit the prison on the 15th , interviewing students, prison officials, and the college's PEP site coordinator. The committee will also visit the College Drive Campus to interview the faculty and staff who support the PEP program. On the morning of the 1 6th , the committee will conduct an exit interview with Dr. Ferguson, who can invite others to join him. The college offers the Associate in Arts program at Little Sandy. Forty-eight students are enrolled in seven classes (ENG 101, PSY 110, BAS 160, MAT 146,

SOC 101, FYE 110, and REL 121). We are using a 12-week session that began on February 1 0th . This visit is routine as SACSCOC policy requires a committee visit to a PEP site once approved and implemented.