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         May 8, 2024.  Meeting of the Governing Board.



         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  We're going to call this meeting to order.

         Will you please stand and join me in saying the Pledge of

    Allegiance.

         (Pledge of Allegiance.)

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  We'll take the roll call.

         Luis Gonzales?

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Here.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Greg Taylor?

         >> MR. GREG TAYLOR:  Here.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Maria Garcia?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Present.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Dr. Wade McLean?

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Here.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  And Theresa Riel.  We are all present and

    accounted for.

         I'm going to read the land acknowledgement.  We want to

    acknowledge that Pima Community College is on the original homelands

    of the Tohono O'odham people and the Pascua Yaqui who have stewarded

    this land since time and memorial.

         The practice of acknowledging the land of these sovereign nations

    brings to the forefront their enduring connection to this land

    regardless of historical and current colonization practices.  Let's

    also acknowledge that we all benefit from these lands on which we





    work and learn.

         We encourage each of you today to learn about the land we

    inhabit, the tribal communities connected to this land, and the ways

    in which you can contribute to the restorative practices related to

    land and community.

         Thank you.

         Our first item, 1.5, is the report from the audit, results for

    the fiscal year, from our Arizona Auditor General.

         Thank you, both, for being here.

         >> Thank you.  Sorry, we are having technical difficulties.

         Perfect.

         Good evening, board chair, members of the board, and chancellor.

    I am Taryn Stangle.  I'm with the financial audit division within the

    auditor general's office, and I'm the financial audit manager that

    did the district's audits.  Joining me today is also Christian

    Connolly.  He was the lead audit senior on your 2023 audits.

         Thank you for having our office join your regular meeting today

    to present our audit results and findings for the Pima County

    Community College District audit.  It's great to see all of you

    again.

         So who are we?  Just a reminder, before we discuss the audits, I

    want to make sure and refresh your memory on who the Arizona Auditor

    General's Office is.  The office is a legislative agency made up of

    nonpartisan staff.  We provide impartial information and specific

    recommendations to help improve the operations and programs of the





    state and local government, which includes Pima County Community

    College District.  We are well-versed and follow standards,

    specifically government auditing standards.

         Why are we here?  We are similar to previous presentations to the

    board.  We are here today in accordance with Arizona Revised Statute

    Section 15-1473.  It directs the district's Governing Board to

    require its auditors, the office, to present audit results and any

    findings in a regular scheduled meeting without the use of a consent

    agenda.

         This needs to be completed within 90 days of the audit's

    completion.  This is a great opportunity for us, your auditors, to be

    in front of you to provide information on our work and answer any

    questions that you may have.

         Before I begin, I would like to thank all of the district staff

    in assisting us throughout the audit.  They were able to provide us

    all the documentation required to complete the audits on time and by

    our agreed-upon dates, which was December 18, 2023, for the financial

    statement audit, and by March 31, 2024, for the single audit.

         Today we will be discussing the work of our three required annual

    reports:  The district's annual financial comprehensive report, the

    report on internal control and on compliance, and the federal single

    audit report.  As we have done in the past, when these annual reports

    are issued, we send you an e-mail that includes a link so you can go

    on and look at each of the reports.

         The financial statement report was dated December 18.  The report





    on internal controls and compliance, on February 16 you received that

    e-mail, and then on March 21st, you received an e-mail for the single

    audit report.

         The first one for the district annual comprehensive financial

    report presents the district's financial statements and our opinion

    on them.  The objective, the audit is to obtain reasonable assurance

    about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from any

    material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and to issue

    that report, which includes our opinion.

         Again, it is wonderful to report that the district's financial

    statements for fiscal year 2023 reported an unmodified or a clean

    opinion, which means the district's financial statements are

    reliable.

         The second report is the report on internal control and

    compliance.  This is where we report any financial statement findings

    and recommendations resulting from the financial statement audit.

    The report on internal control and on compliance is where we reported

    two findings this year, and Christian will go over those findings

    with you shortly.

         Finally, the third and final report was the federal single audit

    report.  This includes our assessments of the district's compliance

    over federal program requirements and whether internal controls over

    compliance with their federal programs were appropriate, and include

    also an opinion on the schedule of expenditures of federal awards.

         The objective of that audit is similar, that it is to provide





    reasonable assurance about whether material noncompliance with the

    compliance requirements occurred and whether due to fraud or error.

    We are happy to say that there were no audit findings, and we issued

    an unmodified or clean opinion.

         Now, I do want to remind you that reasonable assurance is a high

    but not an absolute level of assurance.  Our audits are performed

    under government auditing standards and Federal Uniform Guidance.  It

    is no guarantee that we will always detect a material misstatement or

    noncompliance.  Material means that a considerable likelihood that

    individually or in total any misstatement or noncompliance would

    influence a reasonable person's judgment.

         Further, there is risks of not identifying material misstatements

    or noncompliance, high or due to fraud, if there were something

    similar to collusion.  We did not identify any fraud though in your

    audits.

         Next, because we know that the reports can be really detailed and

    complex, when we send you the single audit report, we also send you a

    report highlight.  It's a two-page summary that you should have

    received that goes through the district 's revenues, primary

    revenues, their primary sources, how the district used those monies

    over the last ten years, as well as including any key findings and

    recommendations.

         I would like to take an opportunity to walk through some of the

    district's main highlights over the last year.  For revenues, the

    district had four main revenue sources, and they continued to be the





    same over the last five years.  These are property taxes, government

    grants and contracts, tuition and fees, and state assistance.

         As you can see from the graph, the district's revenues from

    property taxes has steadily increased over the past five years.  You

    can also see between fiscal year '22 and '23 there was a substantial

    decrease in government grants and contracts.

         This decrease was $43.3 million and was primarily the result of

    Education Stabilization Fund grant monies.  The district had received

    those monies because of the COVID-19 pandemic and primarily used the

    rest of those monies in fiscal year '22.  Tuition and fees and state

    assistance have relatively remained unchanged.

         The next graph has the primary expense purposes.  As you can see,

    the main expenses are continue to be instruction, institutional

    support, student services, and student financial aid.

         The district's instruction and student services expenses has

    increased since 2019.  Institutional support expenses have increased

    by $22.7 million since 2019.  Most of these increases occurred in

    fiscal years '22 and '23 primarily due to the district's increased

    payroll and software and licensing agreements with Trane and its

    learning lab.

         Next, student financial assistance, student financial aid line

    item has significantly decreased from fiscal year '22.  Again, this

    is where you will see an effect from the Education Stabilization Fund

    program where there were additional student grants that were issued

    to help students through the pandemic.  These grants were no longer





    available in '22, and that decrease was approximately $15 million.

    Overall, the district expenses did increase by nearly 15 million

    during the fiscal year.

         The next graph shows a presentation of both the revenues and the

    expenses compared to what the net position includes.  As you can see,

    the light blue represents the revenues, and the dark blue represents

    the expenses.  With the exception of this year, traditionally your

    revenues have exceeded your expenses.  In this year your revenues

    actually were less than your expenses by $11.4 million.

         Your total net position, which is the black line, shows overall

    how the district is doing, which is $195.5 million as of June 30th,

    2023.  Although there was a decrease for the first time in the last

    five years, the overall net position compared to fiscal year 2019 has

    actually increased by $76.6 million, or 64%.  Now, it is important

    for you to know that not all of that net position is considered

    spendable.  There is $115.1 million that is a net investment in

    capital assets.  In addition, the district has a restricted net

    position of $27.5 million, which is restricted for items such as debt

    service and any grant money that is left over.  But finally, the

    unrestricted balance is $52.9 million.

         The last graph I have for you is the district's federal

    expenditures that are presented each year in the single audit report,

    and although the district does receive federal grants from nine

    federal agencies during fiscal year '23, you can see that the

    majority of the dollars come from the U.S. Department of Education





    similar to as it has in the last five years.

         You can also see that there is that substantial decrease that I

    mentioned earlier in federal expenditures in fiscal year '23.  That

    was primarily due to the decrease in expenditures of the Covid-19 and

    emergency relief monies.

         The district used the last of the Education Stabilization Fund

    grant monies in fiscal year '23 which was only expenditures of

    $171,000 versus a decrease of almost $43.4 million from the prior

    year.  In fiscal year '22 we reported one finding over the Education

    Stabilization Fund program, and I'd like to report that that finding

    has been corrected by the district.

         Finally, I'm going to turn it over to Christian, and he's going

    to walk through our two financial statement audit findings with you

    and the recommendations that we made.  If you have any questions,

    we'll be happy to answer those.

         >> The report on internal control and on compliance is where you

    will find the two financial statement findings, along with the

    district's responses to them.

         The first financial statement finding we reported was that the

    district used its purchasing cards to spend $19,680 on food and

    beverages and entertainment at various events which included two

    team-building events without complying with the district's policies

    and procedures and lacked documentation on how these purchases were

    necessary to serve a public purpose and to benefit the district and

    its constituents.





         The district established a new policy in July of 2022 over food

    and beverage expenditures.  However, the policy did not require

    documentation or explanation of the public purpose and specify how

    much was allowed to be spent per person or maximum amounts that may

    be spent on each type of activity or event.

         Further, there was no training on these new policies.  All this

    resulted in an elevated risk of misuse of public monies and possible

    violation of the Arizona Constitution.

         To correct this finding, we recommend the district ensure

    purchasing card holders and designated authorizers follow district

    policies and procedures and use the purchasing cards only for

    authorized purposes that benefit the district and its constituents.

         If the district determines that it is appropriate to purchase

    food, beverages, and entertainment costs for events using public

    monies, it must evaluate and document how each purchase serves a

    public purpose and benefits the district and its constituents.

         Also, employees should obtain preapproval on these types of

    purchases.  We recommend the district improve its purchasing policies

    and procedures and train district employees and authorizers on these

    revised policies and procedures to, one, require documentation and

    support the public purpose and benefit of expenses for food,

    beverages, and entertainment and the events for which they were

    purchased.

         Two, specify and define how much is allowed to be spent per

    person or the maximum amounts that may be spent on each type of





    activity or event.  And three, address the allowability of

    team-building events.

         The district reported that it anticipates correcting this finding

    and implementing recommendations by December 31, 2024.

         The second financial statement finding identified deficiencies in

    the district's control procedures over IT systems and data which

    increases the risk that the district may not adequately protect those

    systems and data.

         To correct this finding, we recommend that the district make it a

    priority to complete the customization over restricting access to its

    IT systems and enhance authentication requirements for IT systems.

    The district reported that it anticipates correcting this finding and

    implementing recommendations by April 30, 2024.

         This completes our presentation of the district's fiscal year

    2023 audit reports, including the two reported financial statement

    findings.  Are there any questions that we can answer for you

    concerning the district's audits?

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  I just have one question.  That is what

    question should I ask?  (Laughter.)  I'm serious.

         >> Madam Chairmember, I think that if it was me, I probably would

    ask what can we do to improve those policies and procedures over

    purchasing cards to make sure that we adequately document

    expenditures that somebody that is not aware of what the district's

    responsible for might question.

         That would be the question I would ask, is how are we going to





    change those, and I do think that they have a plan to change them.

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Did you find that the $19,000 that should

    have been spent in a different way was widespread, or was it in

    singular expenditure in the department?

         >> There were multiple transactions through multiple departments.

    So I would say more widespread, but it was limited to a very specific

    food, beverages, some team-building events.

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  I just want to also say -- do you have a

    question, Maria?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  When is the date that we need to complete,

    to correct these issues?  Do you have a time limit?

         >> Madam Chairmember, I believe the recommendation, I believe

    they were going to correct it by December -- you told me December 31,

    2024, is when they are going to correct it.

         A lot of times we may have a finding, and because of audit

    timing, it takes a little bit to correct it.  So usually you should

    expect about a year.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  I just wanted to say thank you.  I know the

    finance and audit committee got this same report for our last

    meeting, and so we talked about these things.  Then we also saw both

    of you present recently.  So thank you.

         Since that prior meeting, the vice-chair and I were with the

    chancellor, and we talked about both of these issues.  They

    definitely will be remediated most likely even before those times.





         So thank you so much.

         >> Of course.  Thank you.  Is there any other questions?

         Thank you so much for your time.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         Now we have call to the audience.  Two people registered.

         Aurie Clifford?

         >> Hello, distinguished leaders of Pima Community College.

         The second week of April each year, Pima Community College

    celebrates National Student Employment Week.  This year we had

    tabling and outreach events at four of the campus locations and the

    Student Employee of the Year celebration that occurred in the Azurite

    Room at the Downtown Campus.

         We are pleased to report that we had a successful turnout at the

    outreach events and that we had 13 departments that serve students

    tabled with us and provide resources to students who stopped by.

         The Student Employee of the Year celebration hosted over 120

    people.  This year's celebration MC was Greg Wilson, and honorary

    speakers were Irene Robles-Lopez and Marcy Euler.

         We had two student speakers, Hacia Lopez, who was a former

    Student Employee of the Year winner, and Micah Turpin, who was there

    to speak for the supervisor that he nominated.

         Additionally, we'd like to give thanks to the faculty member

    Charles Wacker and the advanced manufacturing club who created the

    trophies that were given to the nominees and the winners of the

    ceremony.





         If I may take a few moments now to share with you the names of

    the winners of the Student Employee of the Year awards.  The Student

    Employee of the Year was Sam Salapanov, who was nominated by Renee

    Forsyth at the West Campus.  Sam spearheaded training with first-year

    Pima students and has a list of other accomplishments that were

    mentioned in their nomination.

         Additionally, we have special categories of winners that we would

    like to highlight.  Kimberly Barncastle was chosen as the Veteran

    Student Employee of the Year.  Casandra Miranda was chosen as the

    community service winner.  Dylan G. was chosen as the critical

    thinking winner.  Melissa S. was chosen as the diversity and

    inclusion winner.  Wynonna Ravenwood was chosen as a leadership

    winner.  And Faith Moses was chosen as the technology and innovation

    winner.

         Overall we recognized 40 students for their accomplishments while

    working at Pima or outside of Pima doing community service work.

    Students also were able to nominate their supervisor, and this year

    Jodi Perin, program manager at the Adult Basic Education Center, was

    chosen as Supervisor of the Year.

         Thank you for this time to recognize all of the amazing

    accomplishments of these students and supervisors.  I have sent an

    e-mail to the board liaison so you can review all of the names.

         Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Aurie.

         Our next speaker is Charles Wacker, the designer of the awards, I





    guess.  Chuck was one of my students, weren't you?

         >> Yes.  Finite math.  If you want to know about word problems...

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  We call them word challenges.  (Laughter.)

         >> Where English meets math.  Okay.

         Hello, Governing Board, Chancellor, and guests.

         I just wanted to talk about what I'm involved with, which is

    going on here, basically thank you for supporting our students and

    our programs, specifically machine tool technology.  We have actually

    been a part of this college since 1970 and '71 initially.

         I have got too much time on my hands, so I have been going

    through the old course catalogs looking for our history.  We started

    as tool and machine technology, and after two years, we became

    machine tool technology.

         I have been with Pima or involved with Pima since 1983 when I

    took a calculus class in high school.  In 1999 I started as an

    adjunct.  2003 I earned my associate's in art and general studies and

    machine tool in 2010.  I became full time in 2021, provisional in

    2022, and now I'm full time, cruising right along.

         MAC is doing really good.  Machine tool technology, our

    enrollment is up.  We have actually added an extra section for our

    metallurgy class to support the automotive and the welding students

    that come into that class.

         In 2021, during COVID, we had to pivot very hard, so we took the

    opportunity to convert all of our classes into a hybrid in format,

    and everything basically is in D2L that allows for most of our





    lectures to shrink in the actual classroom, more time on the

    machines, and with the less lecture, they are doing much better.

         We are aligning ourselves with industry and the University of

    Arizona, the train to right skills with the right equipment.  Current

    University of Arizona Department of Energy partnerships includes

    ISTE, that's the Innovative Education for Solar Technicians and

    Engineers.  We are going to have four summer interns working with me,

    developing solar ovens, solar power 3D printer evaluation.  We will

    go to the JTED STEM summer program over at the Bridges.

         We intend to possibly go to the Air Museum for the Night Wings

    events to highlight our 3D printer that runs on a battery and solar

    power.  We might make some chocolate chip cookies with the solar

    ovens, too (smiling).

         Like to thank Kate Schmidt and our acting provost, Jeff Thies,

    who has volunteered me or voluntold me to take the ACUE effective

    teaching practices.  Though that's not really aligned for CTE for

    career and technical education, it's been immensely helpful for how

    I'm going about planning my classes here in the future.

         The Advanced Manufacturing Club does all kinds of things.  We had

    a successful BattleBot event, holiday ornaments, we're working with

    Marcy from the Pima Foundation, we have Santa Cruz Valley National

    Heritage Association partnership, and many other things.

         Thank you for all these opportunities.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Chuck.

         Marcy with the Pima Community College Foundation update.  Marcy





    Euler.

         >> MARCY EULER:  Good evening.  Good evening, Chairperson Riel,

    members of the Board of Governors, interim chancellor, and guests.  I

    am here, as I always am, to tell you a little bit about what is

    happening at the Foundation.

         So as I always do, I tell you that we are the philanthropic

    partner to Pima Community College supporting the students, programs,

    and faculty that are important to the institution and our region.

         We are actually going through a strategic planning process right

    now and are looking at our mission, vision, and goals.  Those may be

    modified in the next few months as we complete that process, probably

    by the end of June.

         So the highlights, I think since last time I was here, we found

    out that the license plate -- maybe I told you this already.  The

    license plate actually got signed into law.  Sorry, I get a little

    confused which story I do to which group, because I do a similar

    thing for our board, as well.  So it's still signed into law, as far

    as I know, and we're trying to figure out what the rules are for us

    to submit the artwork.

         We had Pima Night at the Roadrunners game.  We actually raised

    about a thousand dollars during that event from ticket sales and

    jerseys, and you can see the picture on the right.  It recognized

    both the college and the Foundation.  And they won.  So that was

    really nice.

         NC3 Signing Day, National Signing Day and Focus on Your Future,





    there were over 500 students.  Dean Jim Craig was the MC.  There were

    over 500 students, and we had the privilege of handing out eight $500

    scholarships.  So $4,000 were disbursed.  We also had a luncheon for

    the VIPs who were sponsors and people that we are hoping to expose to

    that event.

         There is actually a video in here if you guys want to watch it on

    your own.  I'm not going to show you.  It was to wave at Roger T.

    from the whole group, which was kind of a fun video.

         As Aurie said, the Student Employee of the Year session meeting

    that they held, I was a student employee, Federal Work Study employee

    when I went to Montana State, so that program is really near and dear

    to my heart.  I think for the last three or four years I have had an

    opportunity to speak to that group, and it's one of the favorite

    things that I get to do, because I wouldn't be standing here right

    now had it not been for that experience at Montana State.

         I attended the Sun Corridor site selection presentation, and that

    was really instructive.  Pima definitely made a very positive

    impression on that group.

         We also have a donor who was interested in starting something

    similar to what they do at the U of A, which is a Wildcat Heroes

    Award, they are looking at potentially starting a Pima Heroes Award,

    which really is around students who give their time to volunteer

    efforts at the same time that they are enrolled in classes.  So we

    are trying to see how we might be able to incorporate something along

    those lines here at the college.





         Pima Foundation is one of the sponsors for Greater Tucson

    Leadership's Tucson Youth Leadership Academy.  This group of students

    in the spring was from Catalina High School, and there were 23 of

    them.  We give each one of the students that graduates a certificate

    to use toward coursework at Pima, and hopefully they will do that.

    They could be freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors.  We are

    trying to encourage them to enroll either in summer or in the fall

    when they finish.

         I have the privilege of being able to speak to that group, and

    their keynote speaker was Dustin Williams, so you can see the

    balloons, there is also a video there I won't show you, and Dustin

    was their keynote.

         Then Isaac was a speaker for a group that I'm in, Women Leading

    Southern Arizona, talking about AI.  Really I think helped calm some

    of the nerves of some of the people that are in the group, knowing

    that AI is not coming to take everybody's job.  So that was very

    positive.  Then other highlights are written here.  We are very busy

    with some other things that are coming up as well.

         We are actually planning something in June for financial advisors

    and estate planners to help them understand how Pima Foundation can

    help give options to their clientele who may be interested in making

    gifts to the Foundation, planned gifts or outright gifts.  So that

    will be happening in June as well as renovation events that we are

    working on the details now around the Building and Construction

    Technology, Science and Technology West Building at Downtown Campus.





    We will get you more details.  We are still planning both of those.

         As of March 31st, you can see our portfolio is at about 16

    million.  I'm afraid probably after April it fell a little bit,

    because the market went down a tad.  But our endowed funds have risen

    to 19.15 million.  Through March 31, $467,000 in scholarships were

    awarded.  That includes over 180 that we gave out in spring term

    alone.  In total, we had about 580 students who received scholarship

    dollars so far this fiscal year.

         Then we have spent about $900,000 on different programs across

    the institution and anticipate probably having another million or so

    before the end of June.

         We have had a few staffing changes, so Lance Jones, who was our

    director of philanthropy, has left and is pursuing other interests.

    Diana Cannon is our director of transformational philanthropy.  She

    has jumped full bore into that role and is doing great.  We are

    working on creating a position to assist her in her role.

         We hired a bookkeeper/admin assistant who is actually graduating

    from Pima on May 22nd.  Her name is Casandra, and we will have her

    picture on the thing shortly, but she came into the office with all

    of her paperwork today, so I feel like I can tell you that that is

    official.

         And Savannah Franco, who is also a Pima grad, has added some

    additional responsibilities in our office.

         So here is our team.  We will be adding one in probably in June.

    We will have her added to our little photo gallery here.





         With that, I would be happy to answer any questions.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Marcy.

         >> MARCY EULER:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Our next update, the chancellor's search

    update with Tina and Makyla.

         >> MAKYLA HAYS:  Good evening.  I'm Makyla Mays.  I think you

    might know that.  We are here to update you on the timeline and a few

    specifics for the chancellor's search.

         As you see by the dates on the screen maybe, I will read them if

    you can't, we have completed our review of candidates individually,

    and tomorrow we are going to meet to select the candidates to move

    forward to interview.

         On May 28 and 29, we will have virtual interviews with the people

    that we select tomorrow.  Anthem will be working with the Governing

    Board one of those evenings, on the 28th, I believe, to come up with

    questions of what we want to ask the finalists.

         The big exciting one is June 10 through 14 we will have onsite

    interviews.  And I'm going to give it to Tina to talk a little bit

    more about some of the specifics, and then we can answer your

    questions.

         >> TINA NEIL:  Good evening, everyone.  So one of the things I

    know everybody probably wants to know is is this a good candidate

    pool?  The answer is yes.  According to Anthem, as long as we had

    15-plus candidates in the pool, and we have more than that, so yeah,

    yes.  I can't share any more information than that, because we





    promised all the candidates we wouldn't share any information until

    the four finalists were announced.  So just so we all remember

    confidentiality.  I just wanted to remind us about that.

         And the other big thing for us to be on the lookout for all of us

    in the room is that we are holding the dates of June 10 through the

    14th for onsite interviews.  There is a board meeting on Wednesday in

    the middle there, but if you want to hold Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,

    and Friday, from 5:30 to 6:30, there will be public forums here as

    long as we bring four candidates to campus.

         I'm working on all the other details such as campus visits,

    meetings with, you know, various groups around the college, so people

    will start hearing from me very soon about holding times.

         The board already got that from Andrea, so you already have

    holds.  The rest of the college will start hearing more details.

         Any questions?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I'm sorry.  Anyway, are you reaching out to

    the media to inform them so that maybe they could publicize this?  I

    don't know if you want to, but...

         >> TINA NEIL:  I will be working with Phil Burdick to figure out

    how to advertise the public forums.  But this is the first time.

    And remember, they're just holds, because until we actually have,

    like, we go through all of May, we won't know how many candidates

    will be coming to campus.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Thank you.

         >> TINA NEIL:  Any other questions?  It's going well so far.





         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you both for all your hard work.  I

    know that list is long, and I know you have been doing a lot of work,

    so we definitely appreciate it.

         >> TINA NEIL:  You are welcome.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         Okay.  Now it's our turn to speak.  Luis, do you have any board

    member comments you'd like to share with everybody?

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  I'm going to have to pass today.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Luis.

         Greg Taylor?

         >> MR. GREG TAYLOR:  Yeah, it seems like a long time ago, but I

    don't think I have done one, at least not one that I can recall, at

    least for me, since I was at the Higher Learning Commission

    conference.  So I just wanted to share a few thoughts.

         It was the first time I had a chance to attend that particular

    event, and there were certainly a number of themes that came out of

    the sessions that I was involved in.  A few that I thought were

    particularly interesting were a lot of colleges across the country

    looking to have programs that specifically target older adults to

    bring them in.  And especially, as we know coming into the future,

    the demographic reality of fewer traditional community college-aged

    students graduating out of high school, so the ability to expand into

    the much larger older adult population and have coursework or

    certificates or whatever it might be that is of particular interest

    to them.  I thought that was an interesting idea.





         There was a lot of discussion about community colleges, and

    certainly Pima has done a lot of work in this realm, too, becoming

    more and more social service hubs for their students, not only around

    addressing food security and myriad of other student services, as

    Pima does, but also a lot of discussion around housing and the issues

    of affordable housing that are pervasive across the country, and a

    lot of community colleges stepping up to provide more.

         Pima doesn't do housing currently, but others are providing more.

    I thought that that was interesting that that's a trend.  I know we

    have been talking about that with childcare and with some of the

    other social services that have been provided here.  I thought that

    was interesting that that was a common experience in other

    institutions, as well.

         Then there was a lot of discussion about student debt and value

    and making sure that whatever it is that we, as Pima College, or as

    our peer institutions across the country need to charge to cover

    those expenses making sure that, A, it's a reasonable amount, but B,

    that it produces value for those students so they don't find

    themselves in a position where they are taking on debt and not able

    to then move into a career where they can pay off that debt.

         So I appreciated how much care and consciousness there was being

    talked about generating that value, and certainly something that we

    have talked about here.

         So it was a very positive experience.  I'm glad I got a chance to

    participate.  I just wanted to share a few takeaways.





         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Maria Garcia?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I just wanted to mention something.  We had

    a retreat where a lot of the leadership team and some of the staff

    members attended at the Desert Vista Campus.  The culinary program is

    great.  They provided us with great food.

         But with that, as well, what I really appreciated is the fact

    that everybody that participated, you know, the college is going a

    new direction.  I hope that everyone embraces the change, because we

    are trying to make it a better place and better serve our community.

         It takes each and every one of you and us to accomplish that.  So

    please be open-minded.  Know that what we are trying to accomplish is

    what's in the best interest of yourselves as well as the community.

         Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Dr. Wade McLean.

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  I'd congratulate Ken Jacome on becoming our

    new athletic director housed at the West Campus, and understand he

    has deep roots in this community.  We look forward to positive things

    happening to our student athletes.

         On a side note, Aubrey has guaranteed a national championship for

    next year.  (Laughter.)

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.  It's been another busy month,

    but some of the highlights, first of all, I want to say it's Faculty

    Appreciation Week this week, and I really do value all of you as I

    look around here.  Most everybody either is or was some sort of

    teacher or instructor at some time, so thank you for doing all you





    have done over the years for our students.

         You really truthfully are what makes Pima College this amazing

    place to attend, right?  Our students could take online classes

    anywhere else in the world, and they chose to be with you, so thank

    you for doing what you're doing.

         We attended the Sun Corridor site selector.  Thank you, Dr. Ian

    Roark, for the invite that the board could attend.  One thing that

    struck both me and Dr. McLean, we talked about this, is Pima College

    really is positioned to be a leader in everything that happens in

    this community.  Economic development, everything like that, Pima,

    we're just placed right in the perfect place, the perfect time to do

    all of this amazing stuff.

         So what Maria talked about changing this new path, it might not

    be changing drastically in all areas, but just the areas that we were

    beginning and working on, we're going to improve those too.  It's a

    great, fun time to be at the college.

         I went to the Downtown Campus actually to do their Fall Forward

    Student Services Day.  It was a Saturday.  I could not find a place

    to park.  I drove all over.  Ended up parking quite a far way away,

    and then I had to walk through this beautiful car show, another thing

    that Pima College and the Foundation I believe put on.

         As I'm walking through the Advanced Manufacturing Building, Greg

    Wilson is giving a tour.  I can never pass up one of those tours,

    because that building is so amazing.  When I get off the board, I'm

    definitely going to go back to school and learn something new and





    cool.

         Then I finally did make it over to the east side of the campus,

    tutoring, walked around, David gave me a great tour and showed me

    everything that they were doing, which I definitely appreciated his

    time and energy on that.

         Then as I was walking out, I ran into the vice president, Nina

    Corson, at the campus.  She told me that everybody that was there was

    volunteering their time.  I got a list from her that had, I think it

    was at least four dozen people but maybe more on it of different

    employees and different groups.  I don't think only from your campus

    but from maybe numerous campuses.

         So all week long I have been trying to think of how do I say

    thank you for going above and beyond?  I guess just to say thank you

    for going above and beyond.  Being a strong union member, I don't

    really want to encourage anybody to work for free on a regular habit,

    but it did make me so proud to know all of you doing all these great

    things for our students and for the community.

         So it's been a great month.  Next Wednesday, we're going to have

    the culmination of another great year with graduation.  I hope to see

    many of you at the graduation.  Once again, thank you to all the

    faculty for doing all you do.  Thank you.

         Okay.  Moving on, our Pima Mission Moment.  Thank you, Ladies.

         >> Good evening, Madam Chair Riel, members of the board,

    chancellor, colleagues and guests.  It is our pleasure and honor to

    be able to present to you this month's Mission Moment on Cultivating





    Excelencia.

         We know the impact in transformation that occurs when somebody

    earns a higher education, not only for the students themselves but

    also for their families.  We here at Pima have had a longstanding

    Hispanic-Serving Institution designation through the Department of

    Education.  However, that designation doesn't say anything about the

    way that we need to serve students or even any accountability

    measures, such as completion, transfer.

         We here at Pima are inching closer and closer to that 50% mark in

    terms of serving students that identify as being Hispanic/Latino.  In

    the fall of 2023, we hit 48.6% of our students that identified as

    Hispanic/Latino.  So Pima's strategically moving beyond that

    enrollment status and really focusing on outcomes such as completion,

    transfer, and preparing our students for those competitive jobs that

    require mid- to high-level skills that lead to good wages.

         That has been our foundation for our partnership with Excelencia,

    a renowned organization that is focused on accelerating student

    success through an equity lens.  And Jennifer Madrid and I have been

    collaborating with our teams alongside the first-generation

    initiative, as well.  I'm going to hand it over to my colleague here.

         >> The first-generation student initiative is a comprehensive

    support system tailored specifically for students who are the first

    in their families to pursue higher education.

         One example is the Cultivating Excelencia workshop that was

    hosted at Desert Vista Campus in April for our first-gen students and





    families.  The workshop curriculum incorporated discussions on

    cultural and social capital and Dr. Yosso's community cultural wealth

    model, framing first-gen identity through an asset-based perspective.

         The sharing of personal testimonials and table conversations took

    place.  Staff shared with students and families what support can look

    like and tips for success while creating a sense of belonging for

    students and their families.

         Bilingual staff were available to assist families who were

    non-English-speaking, and financial aid staff were also available to

    assist students with their FAFSA.  On the slide you can see a

    positive comment and feedback from a student who attended that

    workshop.

         I'd like to share additional highlights from our first-gen

    initiative.  We celebrate National First-Generation Celebration Day

    every year on November 8.  We were awarded a grant from NASFAA Center

    for First-Generation Student Success to sponsor our campus

    celebration day.  And we awarded four tuition scholarships to

    first-gen students, thanks to our strong partnership and support from

    Marcy Euler, the Pima Foundation, and Office of Financial Aid and

    Scholarships.

         >> So in terms of next steps, we are going to have a

    comprehensive analysis and really dig into our data through the Seal

    of Excelencia.  We are going to be focusing in on our data and

    responding to those inequities and looking at our practices,

    policies, and programs that we can innovate, scale, and diffuse to





    catalyze student success.

         >> I'm happy to share that we were just informed that Pima became

    a NASFAA First Scholars Network member.  First Scholars Network

    offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student

    success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to

    transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic

    and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional

    structures.

         Last, we are partnering with University of Arizona and Northern

    Arizona University to leverage resources and expertise in providing

    comprehensive support and opportunities for Latino and minority

    students to improve transfer aids and the transfer experience.

         The goal is to provide a seamless transition for students as they

    transition from one institution to another.  At the heart of the

    initiative lies a vibrant and passionate community of like-minded

    first-generation staff dedicated to fostering an inclusive

    environment where first-generation students can thrive.

         This initiative would not be possible without the members of our

    first-gen workgroup and volunteers consisting of representation from

    Student Affairs, Student Life, Trio, and Office of Financial Aid and

    Scholarships.  We express our sincerest appreciation to Dr. Irene

    Robles-Lopez, our vice chancellor for student experience, and

    Dr. Suzanne Desjardin, our vice president of student affairs.

         We'd also like to thank Dr. Brian Stewart, campus VP and chief

    cultural impact officer; Dr. Jeff Thies, acting provost and executive





    vice chancellor for academic affairs; Ken Chavez, dean of

    communication; and last but not least, our interim chancellor,

    Dr. Dolores Duran-Cerda.

         We'd like to end our presentation of Pima's Mission Moment by

    sharing a short video of testimonials shared during our

    first-generation college celebration last November.

         Special thank you to Tom Casey and PCCTV for their work in

    creating this inspirational video.  Thank you.

         (Video begins.)

         >> I'm a first-semester nursing student right now.  My whole life

    I have wanted to study this.  I'm really happy that I made it to the

    program.

         >> It's special because, for example, my mom, she only graduated

    high school.  My dad only went to middle school.

         >> Two of my grandparents didn't finish first grade, and one

    didn't even go to school.  It's super important for me to be able to

    go where they couldn't go.

         >> My mom, she worked really hard to help us understand the value

    of an education.

         >> I feel a really strong sense of accountability not only for

    myself but for my entire family and for my children.

         >> It means everything.  I'm very aware of the fact that my

    family has sacrificed so much for me in my life.

         >> This is important to me, because I'm a first-generation

    college student.  I hope that people come here today to celebrate





    being a first-generation college student, that they share their

    stories, and that they take advantage of the resources.

         >> I used the dual enrollment program.  That was kind of my

    step-in to the whole college atmosphere.

         >> The main resource I have used a lot was my advisors.  What

    classes I need to register for, what different pathways I can take.

         >> I have learned to be more goal-oriented.  I have learned to be

    more determined.

         >> I just want first-gen students to know that we are so happy

    they are here and to please share your story as much as you can.

         >> I love everything that the community college has done for me,

    my confidence, my study habits, the fact that I have a degree and I'm

    the first one in my family to get one.  I bawled at my graduation

    last May, just knowing that I did something that they couldn't do.

         (End of video.)

         >> We'd like to now answer any questions the board has.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  I don't have any questions.  I have some

    comments.  I like your presentation that you just did.  First

    generation proud.  (Speaking in Spanish.)

         In fact, I just want to share with the public here too is that

    back in early '80s, myself, I was the first one in my immediate

    family to even go to college, as well, too.  Since day one back then,

    so many years ago, I have always been promoting that.

         I think it's great that we have this, being advocated by you

    guys.  I think it's marvelous in reference to what I hear.  But more





    important, I think in reference to those numbers that are advancing,

    I think it's great.  It's super great.

         I think it has to have -- I like the video.  In fact, on the way

    over here, today is the day to acknowledge all the Nursing Students

    Day.  Happy Nursing Students Day and all the nursing individuals that

    are out there.

         I also have a daughter that came to Pima that is a nursing

    graduate and is at El Rio Center on Irvington, as well, too.  It hit

    home when it was that day today.

         The other thing I just wanted to share is that, like I mentioned,

    very proud in reference to this program, but I also just wanted to

    share a little bit of this proud day when I was coming today for the

    meeting.  Today's the heavenly birthday of my mom, too.  She was born

    May 8, as well, too.  Many years ago.  I miss her, but I think it's

    something that I always celebrate.

         I know in the village where I come from, in fact there was an

    important individual, Governor Hobbs was there too at Pascua Yaqui

    today.  That was a big thing.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to make

    it.  Had other obligations and commitments.  But I think it's

    something that the day of May 8 was very significant for me today,

    especially coming here tonight and really hearing the proud moments

    in reference to what we have.

         I just wanted to also comment in reference to the gathering that

    we have, our faculty and staff last weekend, as well, too.  I think

    it went very good.  I think the people that attended saw and they





    shared in reference to some of the positive stuff that they are

    looking at that are happening.

         But more important, I think it's a good time to come together to

    really know each other, especially when we had the round-table

    activities.  I think it was good.  I also had a little time in

    reference to we had a break.  I did walk to the bookstore but also

    walked to the culinary place.

         I met a young individual that is going to be graduating on the

    17th from the culinary school, and his name was Ricardo Garcia.  He's

    a member from the O'odham Nation.  He said I really want you to

    attend.  So that's my commitment to him.

         I think, as mentioned before, Pima has really done a lot to the

    communities, and that's what Pima is for.  And the operative word

    that we all know here is "community."

         Thank you again not only for the students and staff but thank you

    on behalf of the community as well, too.  Thank you.

         >> Thank you for sharing your story with us.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  It was just one day that you did the

    Excelencia in Education, right?

         >> So we have been working on this initiative since July, but it

    is the first time that we have brought families and students in a

    fully bilingual program.  And we brought in the families in the

    broadest sense.  Some people brought mentors, sisters, brothers, but

    it's the first time that we have had a Cultivating Excelencia

    workshop.  We do plan to have more starting this summer.





         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Great.  That's what I was going to ask, and

    are you planning to do more.  Okay.  It looked fabulous.  If you need

    any help from us, let us know.  We will stand there and greet people

    or anything (smiling).

         >> Thank you so much for your support.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         Okay.  Moving on to our reports.  The administration reports.

    First up I guess is David Donderewicz with the executive summary for

    fall enrollment.

         Okay.  I wasn't sure if he was here.  Okay.

         >> PHIL BURDICK:  Good evening, everyone.  Can you hear me okay?

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Yes, we can.  Thanks.

         >> PHIL BURDICK:  Thank you.  We do have some good news to report

    regarding enrollment.  As you know, there is two sides of the

    enrollment puzzle.  One is student recruitment.  The other one is

    retention.

         I will tell you from the numbers today, spring enrollment is up

    about 6%.  Summer enrollment so far is up about 8%.  Despite all the

    issues with FAFSA that you're going to hear about in a second, our

    fall enrollment is up about 6%.

         In the enrollment report that was sent to you late last week, I

    believe, the other good news is that our student applications are up

    significantly.  As of today, our fall application numbers are up

    about 17%.  That's a really key number for us, because that's really

    our key ROI number for our marketing spend, so our marketing is





    designed to generate those applications, and we like to see those

    strong applications, especially early, and especially with all of the

    issues that students are having with FAFSA.

         So for that, let me turn it over to David Donderewicz.

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  Good evening, Board of Governors,

    Chancellor, and guests.  I would just like to kind of give a little

    update on the '24/'25 FAFSA cycle that's currently going on.

         So comparing those numbers to last year's numbers at this point

    in time, we have currently received about 10,000 FAFSA applications,

    and about 6,900 of those applicants are eligible for Pell Grant.  So

    those numbers compared to last year were down about 8% in regard to

    applications, so FAFSA applications.  We are also down about 18% in

    Pell-eligible students.  That's probably the number that we'd

    probably look at a little bit more.

         But due to the updates with the form this year, we have increased

    our outreach events, our events on the campus in regard to filling

    out the FAFSA, our communication has increased.  We have a

    communication plan with the changes.  This has all been in place

    since about February 1st.  Since that date we have been averaging

    about 3,300 FAFSA applications a month for the '24/'25 year.

         Some of the issues that Phil was referring to really do affect

    our students, and I think that kind of shows the issue that we are

    seeing with the 18% fewer Pell-eligible students.  The first one is

    there is a temporary fix that's been put out by the Department of

    Education, which allows students and their contributors, so their





    parents or spouse, to manually enter their tax information onto the

    FAFSA, and it bypasses the identity verification portion.

         However, with that temporary fix, it's not a fix that's actually

    in place to solve the issue in the long haul.  So basically the

    students in that scenario, their parents, their spouses are manually

    putting that information into the FAFSA, which basically creates

    other confusion on the form, as there is no longer indicators of what

    line on your tax item that that number came from and so forth.

         The other issues that we are seeing is we have seen a lot of

    dependent students.  They are answering questions in regard to their

    parents and basically stating that they -- they are inadvertently

    stating that they are independent students.  However, they are

    classified as dependent.

         The last thing that we are seeing is students can go in and

    update their FAFSA forms.  However, there is issues with those

    corrections as they go in to do those.

         And lastly, the school or all institutions across the nation are

    unable to submit corrections to the Department of Education at this

    time, so hopefully in the next week or so we'll be able to do that.

         Our next steps moving forward, we have currently taken the FAFSA

    applications, we are loading them into our student information system

    with the hopes to get offer letters out to our students as early as

    next week, and then from there, we are going to look at that

    information to begin our targeted outreach campaigns to students that

    completed the '23/'24 FAFSA but they haven't done this year's, newly





    admitted students who haven't completed the FAFSA, and then work with

    our students who have completed the '24/'25 FAFSA, but there might be

    a mistake or something of that sort that we can help guide that

    student to make that correction.

         The last thing is we do have an event on June 1.  We are

    partnering with ABOR and other institutions in the city.  We are

    going to have a FAFSA event at the Downtown Campus from 10:00 to

    2:00.

         So I will open it up if you have any questions for me.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I have a real quick one.  You might not be

    able to answer this, but I'm going to ask it anyway.

         Okay.  So if they're not able to complete the FAFSA and they

    don't get funded, but that application is still active, I mean, they

    still submitted it, and there is corrections that need to be made, is

    there any way that they can make it retroactive to pay the college

    for the classes that the student has already took or get a refund?  I

    don't know.  I'm just asking.

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  Yeah, there's certain things in place, so

    when the student fills out the FAFSA for the '24/'25 year, it will be

    for the entire academic year that's '24/'25.  So let's say a student

    fills out their application and it gets completed midway through the

    fall semester, well, we would pay for that retroactively, those terms

    and those courses that are eligible for the program of study.  So we

    would be able to disburse the aid retroactively for that semester.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  And then we need to ensure we get the money





    back, right?  (Laughter.)

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  We will get the money back.  The first

    thing it pays for is tuition and fees.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Two questions.  The first one is going to

    be coming back to the FAFSA.  Is there a certain percentage that our

    young people, once they fill out and they get their Pell Grant, how

    many of those students receive the full amount?

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  So I can't give you the exact number of

    the full-time students.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Or what has been the trend?

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  Yeah, most of our students at our

    institution are part time enrolled, so they're not enrolled in 12 or

    more credits, so they are receiving a portion of the Pell Grant for

    each semester.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  The second question was in reference to

    the dual enrollment.  I know that we are going to be passing the new

    core classes that Pima is going to be providing for dual enrollment.

    My question is are those classes that are going to be offered, are

    they offered at all the sites or a couple of particular ones?

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  I would have to defer that question.  I'm

    not sure.

         >> DR. DOLORES DURAN-CERDA:  So you're asking about dual

    enrollment classes, if they are offered at all sites?

         All of the sites that are approved by the HLC, yes.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Correct.





         >> DR. DOLORES DURAN-CERDA:  Yes.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  I think I asked the question last time.

    Let me clarify a little bit more.

         Reference to the high schools, do all the high schools that are

    eligible for, or what I'm trying to say, are the classes offered at

    all the high schools that are doing a dual enrollment?

         >> DR. DOLORES DURAN-CERDA:  There are, yes, but we have to be

    careful if we offer more than 50%, then we have to get approval from

    the Higher Learning Commission, but we do offer a little bit at each

    of the high schools.  Yeah.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Thank you.

         >> DAVID DONDEREWICZ:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you so much.

         >> I will come down to quickly answer that question.  In regards

    to dual enrollment, the course offerings that are listed, so it

    varies at each institution.  So as the chancellor listed, we cannot

    exceed 50% of a certificate or degree at a nonapproved location until

    we get approval from HLC.  But from that course list, it varies at

    each high school, depending on their instructional staff, because the

    dual enrollment teachers are at the high schools, and then they are

    on a contract with Pima, as well, and certified through our faculty

    certification office.  So the courses do vary at each site.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Melissa.

         Our next report is student retention and success with Jeff Thies





    and Irene Robles-Lopez.  Come on down.

         >> JEFF THIES:  Good evening, Board Chair, board members, Interim

    Chancellor Duran-Cerda, colleagues and guests.  Irene and I are here

    to talk a little bit about the other R.  Phil gets them in here

    through recruitment measures.  We are focused on keeping them here

    once we get them here.  So that's our retention measures.

         I'd just like to send some kudos out to the faculty and the

    administrative staff that supports those faculty, department heads,

    and deans.

         When the chancellor goal for increasing enrollment was out in

    August, I think about that time, we were confident that the work that

    those folks had been doing over the past year, diving into the data

    with respect to courses and programs, working on opportunities for

    them to improve their teaching strategies, working on the curriculum,

    working on opportunities to partner with student affairs, embedding

    coaches, tutors, et cetera, so we were pretty confident we would

    already see some progress in what we call leading indicators in this

    first fall, right?  And so that's what you're going to see is a few

    of the leading indicators and the results from fall of '23.

         So two that we are going to focus on, the productive grade rates,

    that's the percent of As, Bs, Cs that are earned, right, so that's

    what we reference when we say productive grade rates.  Persistence

    for us is they attended in the fall, and they had such a great

    experience, they made sure they came back in the spring.  Those are

    both leading indicators to retention, because they're things that





    would happen that would guide a student to be more likely to retain

    and come back the next fall.

         That last one is just to recognize that we also dig into the data

    on specific parts of other data to make sure that we are improving

    the student experience across all programs.

         All right.  So just to give you an idea, productive grades, so we

    have about 49,500 grades in a fall semester.  So it's a big in.  So I

    don't put the end on here because it's so large, but that's the

    number of grades we are referencing.

         So as you can see on this slide, when we look at all students,

    the percent of As, Bs, Cs earned over time is between 70% and 73%.

    Our goal was to take that fall 2022 number of 71.5 and bump it up by

    1.5 percentage points.  That was our goal for fall of 2023.  As you

    can see, we did that.  We actually surpassed that by an extra 0.8.

    So we are talking about an extra 900 to 1,000 grades that were As,

    Bs, Cs, instead of the other.

         As you heard from the group before in the Mission Moment, Vanessa

    and Jen talked about the Excelencia in Education, our institutional

    targets, et cetera.  Our Hispanic/Latinx is now the largest student

    population when you break it down by race and ethnicity, and has been

    for a couple of years.  So we also had a specific target for that

    group, because we always like to disaggregate our data.  This

    particular group increased significantly, as well, by 2.1 percentage

    points, another large in.  We are talking about 25,000 grades here.

         We didn't quite hit our high-water mark, but you will notice that





    we actually were aiming a little higher than on the all.  That's to

    help shrink our equity gap.  We are trying to get that group to be

    within three percentage points of the overall.

         So a great job there.  Especially if you go fall '23 and you look

    backwards, we have actually surpassed our high-water mark of fall '19

    of 70.3.  So there are some positive things out of that.  We also

    realize we can continue to do more with cultural responsive pedagogy,

    culturally relevant curriculum, things like that, to improve the

    experience for our Hispanic and Latinx student population.

         Persistence, fall to spring, so they come back in the spring

    after attending in the fall.  Again, hit our target, increasing by

    over the 1.5 percentage points we were aiming for, and really close

    to that fall 2019 mark, as well.

         Here we are talking about 17,500 students, right?  That's the

    total in.  Almost two-thirds of them persisting.  Is that great?  No.

    We want to keep moving that up.  We want that needle to keep

    climbing, going from fall '20 where we know there were challenges in

    fall '20, to continuing to increase that number, climbing out of the

    60s and into the 70s over the next couple of years.

         Same data, again, broken down this time by the Hispanic/Latinx

    student population.  Hit our mark.  Matched our fall '19 or within

    0.1 of matching our fall '19, so again, continuous great work on the

    part of faculty, their administrative support, our support of them

    continuing to be able to learn and shift the student experience in

    the classroom.





         This last one I just bring to your attention, it's something else

    that this is another way to disaggregate the data.  So As, Bs, Cs,

    productive grade rates are great.  That's one way to be thinking

    things are moving.  But we also have to dig deeper.  This is a look

    at As.  Why would we just look at As?

         Well, As lead to higher GPAs.  Higher GPAs lead to getting access

    to selective programs at the next level or even at our own

    institution.  It also leads to scholarships, right?  So we want to be

    able to take a look and what is the student experience.

         With an asset-based approach, we want to be thinking about how is

    it that one group may not have the same proportion of earned As as

    other groups, and so we have that conversation and continue to dig.

         The nice thing in fall '23 is all four groups that are listed

    here all improved from fall '22.  That's the positive.

         The challenge is that gap remains about the same, right?  So what

    is it that we can continue to be doing, to go back to Vanessa's

    comment about being a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and making sure

    that we're serving.  When we say that with the Hispanic/Latinx, of

    course we mean that with the much smaller populations of students

    listed here, as well, and that's our Black/African American

    population and our Native American population, as well.

         Those groups are much smaller.  The Native American population

    had about 800 grades in the data set and the Black/African American

    was about 2,500, okay?  Significantly smaller than the 49,000 and the

    25,000 I was talking about earlier.





         I'm going to turn it over to my colleague, Irene.

         >> DR. IRENE ROBLES-LOPEZ:  Thank you, Jeff.

         Good evening, everyone.  As we know, retention really requires

    effective collaboration between both the academic area and the

    student support areas, as well.  With that, we have been working very

    closely with Jeff Thies and all of the academic team, as that is part

    of the chancellor goals as we are looking at retention, what happens

    for the students, their student experience in the classroom, as well

    as the support outside of the classroom that is offered to them.

         So one of the things, I'd actually like to start with the data

    point at the bottom, the student experience data summit.  We always

    function and look ahead, and we are working off of a continuous

    improvement model.  So it is important to look at the data, look at

    where we are at now, where are those gaps, as Dr. Thies mentioned,

    and where is there opportunity for improvement.

         So on the 26th, we did have 75 folks from across the college.

    These were faculty members, administrators, staff that attended.  We

    shared all of our data, and I'd be more than happy to provide that to

    you, as well, on where we are at right now in all of the various

    areas that provide support to students.  So that would include our

    libraries, our learning centers, our student success coaches,

    advising, counseling, student engagement.  We know that all of those

    combined with the experience in the classroom really helps to create

    that sense of belonging and support for students, and that's exactly

    what we were hoping to do.





         So with that, again, we are looking at both quantitative and

    qualitative data to continue to look forward and look at what our

    colleagues are sharing, different ideas that maybe we are not doing

    at this time, but then also, the student, student voices, and what

    they are sharing with us, as well.

         That turned out to be a very positive event.  We received very

    positive feedback from everyone that was involved, and that really

    lays the framework for where we will be moving in this next strategic

    plan as well as even in our Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and

    the goals that we have there.

         So as you all had an opportunity to see, we did see the Mission

    Moment with our first-gen student initiative, so that's a new

    initiative that we just started in 2023.  So we are looking at what

    are we doing for students now, but where are those opportunities to

    better engage students, make them feel like they belong here.

         So as you saw with many of the testimonies, it is challenging for

    our first-generation students, because you don't have the context for

    how does college work, who can I go to for advice.  So that's really

    where those relationships with faculty members in the classroom, with

    their advisor, with their counselor, with their success coach really

    becomes key in helping students navigate through their educational

    journey.

         So as I mentioned, we also have an equity and retention

    workgroup, which is actually led by our acting dean of college

    readiness and student success, Jacqie Allen.  She is working with a





    group of faculty members, other staff, other administrators, to look

    at where are those opportunities also for retention, and this was

    work that was started back when Jeff Thies was in his home role, and

    that was in partnership with the Gardner Institute.

         Right now what they are looking at is how we can better support

    our part-time students.  We know that the majority of our students

    are part time, so it really is key to make sure we are looking at how

    can we better support them, how can we make sure that we are offering

    services, as well as course schedules that are going to meet their

    needs.

         Of course we have advising and counseling, student engagement,

    student success coaching.  We also have our Men of Color Initiative

    right now, our Men of Color Achievement Program Initiative.  It's in

    a pilot phase to see where things are going.  They actually just had

    their end-of-semester celebration on Monday evening, so again, very

    positive feedback from students.

         They actually connected very much with folks that were leading

    that work and leading that team, as well as making connections with

    each other, which is really key and really what we want them to do is

    to connect with one another so they find those support systems.

         And then the last thing that I wanted to mention is everything

    that Dr. Jeff Thies has talked about and all of the excellent work

    that is happening with our academic colleagues, as well as coupled

    with everything that's happening in student support, this really lays

    the framework for the direction that we want to move in, as well as





    the other key aspect, which is the culture of care.

         So we also have that as another piece that is moving forward

    under the chancellor goals that we will continue to work on, will

    also be part of the strategic plan in one form or another, and so

    that really is key, keeping the student at the center of the

    experience and everything that we are doing, knowing that we are

    doing it for them and for their success.

         As we heard some of the testimonies from the students, these were

    our first-generation students, but I'm sure if we were to sample

    students at our graduation, which will be coming up in a few weeks,

    we would hear many of those same stories about how impactful the

    college has been, how really life-changing it is.

         So it really is an honor to be a part of this college and to do

    the work that we do, because they are entrusting us in helping them

    reach those goals.

         So it's something that we are very proud of.  And as you can see,

    Jeff and I and our teams collaborate very well.  It's just a really

    good place to be, and we are excited about moving forward.

         As Board Member Garcia mentioned, change, it can be scary, it can

    be difficult, but it can also be very exciting, because we know that

    we are moving forward and looking at putting in new initiatives and

    new things to better support our students and our community.

          Are there any questions?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I don't have a question, but I want to

    thank you all, every single one of you, for the effort that you're





    putting in for the data collection.  I have been wanting this type of

    presentation for a long time.

         You guys have accomplished so much within this last year, and I

    sincerely want to thank you for the direction that you guys are

    taking, and I'm very happy.

         Thank you.

         >> DR. IRENE ROBLES-LOPEZ:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Okay.  I have a couple of things.  I just

    want to say faculty and staff, we want to make sure that everybody

    gets raises this year, it's a super-important thing.  This board, we

    want to make sure that that happens, but every single employee at

    this college, if we could all do just a little bit more in retention

    to make sure that students, when they walk by and they look like they

    are upset, say, hey -- I don't know what you would say, but just wing

    it, right?  Do something, right?

         The research says that part-time students are less successful

    than full-time students.  So, you know, maybe those students who are

    almost taking full-time, let's encourage them, hey, you can get more

    Pell Grants if you go full time.  I mean, whatever we can do to make

    sure that they're more successful.

         And then the whole thing about As, Bs, Cs, when I was teaching, I

    always told my students that a C, if you strive for the A and you

    don't get it, you still get a B, but if you strive for a C and you

    don't get it, you don't get the credit for the class, right?  I think

    a lot of times our students, especially if they are coming from high





    schools, they have been told that over and over, you just need a C.

    But that's bologna, right?  If you want to do well in the next class,

    strive for a high B, at least.

         Last thing I wanted to mention -- my computer just died.  Well, I

    can't tell you about it now, but within the last month, we got graphs

    from the enrollments, the fill rate of classes, and there was a third

    one, I guess it was FTSE, those three for since the days before or

    after the beginning of the semester.

         The enrollment, you know, you can't really tell exactly the

    numbers, you have to sort of eyeball it, it was, like, 8,000

    enrollments less from the beginning of the semester this semester

    through day 80, I guess it was, so it was toward the beginning of the

    semester.  My thought there is what could we, as a college, do?  You

    don't have to answer this now, just be thinking about this, is there

    something STAR could do?  Computers know who those students are who

    dropped out, right?

         Is there any way we can reach them in a timely manner and say,

    hey, we missed you in class, what happened, what can we do, can we

    help you, whatever?  Because if we had those 8,000 students, that's

    more tuition money, right?  If they are successful this semester,

    it's more tuition next semester, and all of that helps the college

    run.

         So I'm going to agree with Maria.  Thank you for doing all that

    you do, but remember, it's every one of our jobs, whether you're the

    board chair or whether you're a vice president.  You know, when you





    see somebody and lift them up, help them out, that whole

    persistence/retention thing is as important as getting them enrolled.

    So thank you.

         >> DR. IRENE ROBLES-LOPEZ:  Thank you, all.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Okay.  Our next, Wendy Weeks.  Is that

    right?  Okay.  Aurie and Melissa.  Thank you.  Our HLC federal

    compliance.

         >> Thank you.  Thank you, Governing Board members, for inviting

    us today to provide an HLC update, and we will try to keep our

    presentation brief.

         The HLC federal compliance team, with the assistance of several

    others in the financial aid and scholarships department, gathered the

    initial evidence for Pima's HLC federal compliance filing.  We

    submitted our draft narrative and evidence to the institutions's HLC

    consultant, Sandy Veltri, for review, and the draft was posted on the

    pima.edu website for public comment.

         We have revised the draft based on feedback received, and our

    executive summary includes information on the eight policies related

    to federal regulations that HLC will review during our reaffirmation

    visit, along with an overall demonstration of administrative

    capability to ensure the institution is meeting our Title IV

    responsibilities and not engaging in any fraud or abuse.

         We have included in our executive summary a status report in

    advance of today's meetings with the types of evidence collected and

    the work that is still in progress at the college by various task





    forces and committees for continuous improvement to close any

    identified gaps.

         Overall, a great deal of progress has been made at the college on

    many of the HLC compliance review areas.  We also wanted to announce

    that the complete assurance argument draft has been posted online

    right now on the pima.edu accreditation page for public comment and

    feedback.

         >> We would also like to formally recognize and thank our federal

    compliance co-lead, Maria V., for all of the assistance that she has

    provided.  Wendy Weeks, for keeping all of the criterion groups on

    track with all the HLC timelines.  Isaac Abbs for overseeing the

    creation of several brand new APs needed for data regulations.  David

    Parker for leading the complaint task force.  The board chair for

    attending numerous Town Hall sessions.  Chancellor Duran-Cerda,

    Provost Thies, and Dr. Vanessa Arellano for championing many of the

    initiatives to create cross-collaboration between the divisions and

    our college.

         At this time we will open it up for questions.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  You guys rock.  That's all I gotta say.

    The very first one, you know, you were asking for evidence, and

    everything you did we appreciate greatly.

         I did, we all received an e-mail, everybody, right, about the

    assurance argument up there, and there is little links that you can

    send, I guess it's Gayle Bell, comments.  It's a long document, so

    I'm going to say everybody go home and read one page a day, and we'll





    get through it in the next couple of weeks.  Then you guys will have

    all of our comments too.  Thank you so much.

         Then our last administrative report is the All Employee

    Representative Council with Aubrey Conover and Makyla Hays.

         >> AUBREY CONOVER:  Good evening, members of the board,

    chancellor, colleagues and guests.  Thank you for having us to give

    you our semiannual update on AERC.

         We're going to go over a couple of the different policies that we

    have been working on, talk a little bit about class and comp and our

    role there.  We sent you a much more detailed report so you can dive

    in and ask us any questions you might have.

         Before we get going, though, we want to chat just briefly about

    our role.  There were some questions at the last meeting about where

    employee groups interact with different things that go on at the

    college.

         So just briefly, you know, most of the issues that come to us are

    either coming from employees or departments.  Something hasn't gone

    right, they are struggling with something around policy, and they

    need some help.

         And so our role is different in a couple different ways.  It

    could be just clarifying the policy with that employee or department,

    saying this is what the intent was.  If it wasn't applied this way,

    here are some avenues that you can approach to fix the challenge that

    you're facing.  Or it could be that the policy needs to be updated.

    It's not clear, it's not working.  And that's where we really dive in





    with some of our employee groups with members from the departments

    that oversee these different policies, get into the weeds, and try to

    make it more functional.

         Our goal with every policy is to ensure that every employee is

    treated equally, that they clearly understand their rights and

    responsibilities they have within policy, and that they can turn to

    policy if there is a challenge that they're facing and that they know

    we will be there to support them in the work they are doing day to

    day.

         I will turn it over to Makyla who is going to look at the wide

    range of things we have tackled over the last couple of months.

         >> MAKYLA HAYS:  So you were given, in your packet, I think there

    is three pages of policies.  I just want to be clear, all of these

    went out for 21-day comment all at once with this semester and have

    either been posted or are being finished, being revised to be posted.

         So this is a snapshot of the work.  There was actually, in our

    resolution team tracker, there is 60 different resolution team lines.

    Only 15 are active right now with 4 of those are ongoing groups, so

    there is only 11 open, which is awesome.  I'm so excited.

         So one of the things that I wanted to highlight is we had our

    adjunct faculty come forward and share with us that when their course

    contracts are canceled, they feel like they have lost that

    opportunity.  They may have done some work, put in some thought

    investment, built syllabi  and things, and then they don't have the

    contract and they are not compensated.





         So we worked with, the adjunct faculty team worked with Kate

    Schmidt and Dave Bea and were able to come up with a way to

    compensate those adjunct faculty to honor the work that they did.

         I want to be clear that we, as in full-time faculty and adjunct

    faculty, advocated that it wasn't going to be based on proof of the

    work, but it was the fact that they are losing the contract and the

    thought work would have been there.  So there is a time period that

    we are assuming that they would have had to be doing things to

    prepare for that class.

         So if it's within a ten-day phase before the class were to start

    and they lose that contract, either because a full-time faculty needs

    it for their regular load or the class doesn't have the enrollment,

    that they are going to receive $150 in compensation, because we know

    they have been working.  There was an expectation of work within that

    time period, and we are giving them that money.  I just wanted to be

    clear that that was what the agreement was.

         One of the main ways that we advocate for compensation is through

    policy language and discussions, and so the faculty compensation

    policy was a huge discussion for us.  And this is the full-time

    faculty and how we work with finance in order to ensure that we have

    compensation movement within the salary schedule, that it is fair,

    equitable, and that everybody is treated the same.

         So this is one of the main things I wanted to share is how we

    actually advocate for raises within the All Employee Representative

    Council.  We advocate for the policy that determines how we will get





    a raise, given the board's decision within budget.  And so we give

    our priorities of what we would like to do, you know, top priority,

    give everybody a step.  Next priority, lift the cap as much as

    possible.  But we are not actually asking for specific dollar

    amounts.  What we are asking for is that should we be given this

    amount of money, here is how we would like to see that spent within

    our area, so that we can be given these things in an equitable manner

    throughout the group.  So we really revised that policy to reflect

    the class and comp study, because it is different.

         Similarly, we have had a lot of conversation around the staff

    policies.  We were able to clarify a few different staff salary

    compensation policies, and we are almost ready to send out the staff

    movement policy for probably another round of 21-day comment, because

    how they are placed on the schedule is different than faculty, and we

    need to make it clearer for everybody to understand how they're

    moved.

         So we have been working quite closely with Dave Bea, and Tina has

    been awesome working with us to clarify how things are moved, what if

    this, what if that, how does that work, how does policy explain all

    of this, and really trying to make sure that staff understand how

    they are placed within that.

         Okay.  You can see there is a ton of other policies that we have

    worked on.  There is also policies that aren't handbook policies that

    are substantially related to working conditions and wages.  So these

    are things like BP 1.25 that you all know well.





         There was also a remote work standard operating procedure that

    AERC was heavily involved in.  And it does have impact on some

    policies like workweek and how that's calculated, but it's not

    actually a handbook policy, and we worked with HR and other areas of

    the college to ensure equity within that application, and we helped

    with trainings throughout the college.

         Okay.  I think that might be it.  We actually have a page within

    our tracker for all of the APs and BPs as well that have to do with

    wages and working conditions and whether we are a main stakeholder

    that needs to be addressed to make sure that we are involved in

    having a say in changes, or whether we are a stakeholder group that

    just needs to be informed so we can assure our handbook policies

    reflect any changes that other groups might make.  So we have kind of

    a leveled stakeholder list that anybody can refer to at any time.

         So with that, did you have anything else you wanted to add?

         >> AUBREY CONOVER:  No.  Any questions?  I know there are a lot

    of them in there.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I have to say something.  I'm sorry.  Well,

    I shouldn't say that.  But anyway, please just make sure you

    understand and you keep in mind that it is really the students and

    our constituents that we all work for and serve.

         That's it.  Thank you.

         >> MAKYLA HAYS:  Absolutely.  And I just want to share one of our

    big, I don't know what word I'm looking for right now.  Themes?

    Mottos?  I don't know.  It's late.  I need to eat dinner.  There is a





    word that goes with what I'm about to say.  You'll figure it out and

    tell me.

         It's that employee working conditions are student learning

    conditions.  So if employees are stressed out about whether or not

    they're going to be able to eat or if they have to take on a bunch of

    overloads because they need to make ends meet for their family, they

    are not going to have as much time to spend with their students, so

    everything we do in making sure that there is equitable compensation

    and making sure that staff and faculty know that they have somebody

    they can go to who is looking out for their rights, that they are

    treated the same as the rest of their colleagues throughout the rest

    of the college, that takes the stress off of them to know that they

    can just do their work and know that the college is taking care of

    them, and they can then turn around and take care of students.

         So all of this seems very employee-focused, but it has big

    effects on the ability of our staff and faculty and administrators

    even to go ahead and do their work.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Thank you.  That's very good.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Not that all faculty are mamas, but the old

    saying, if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, I think that applies

    to faculty and the people that support faculty doing their job.

         Thank you, both, for everything that you do in AERC.  We really

    appreciate it, because we know it's a lot of work.  Thank you.

         >> MAKYLA HAYS:  Yes.

         >> AUBREY CONOVER:  Thank you so much.





         >> MAKYLA HAYS:  I forgot one big one.  I'm so sorry.

         We were also involved in the faculty leadership redesign model.

    I don't know what role I played on it, but I know I was involved in

    it, and I think it was because of AERC.  Might just be because I was

    math and I volunteered.

         But it was another big policy to make sure the department heads

    and faculty leadership were paid equitably for the work that they

    were putting in for the college, and that is being recruited for

    right now and going into effect shortly.  So that was a huge project.

    Yeah, we were happy to have it move forward so we can focus on other

    things, too.

         Okay.  Thanks.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Moving on to the reports by representatives

    to the board.  Rebecca Ursule is here for the student report.  Thank

    you.

         >> REBECCA URSULE:  Good evening, Chairperson, board members,

    Chancellor, Pima faculty, and guests.  We, the Student Senate, are

    thrilled to announce that Atheena Martinez as been selected as the

    Multicultural Convocation speaker, and we believe that her insights

    and perspective promise to enrich this significant event.

         Progress continues on the bike path project with the recent

    involvement discussed in a meeting with our West Campus vice

    president, and so efforts are underway to involve more students and

    raise awareness crucial for securing necessary sources.  The current

    bike path lane revisions show promise and may be integrated into the





    larger project.

         Cooperation from the PCC in signing rights-of-way rights, the

    city remains vital for the project success.  But since we are coming

    to the end of the Student Senate cohort, we are going to hand over

    this project to the next cohort because our term of service is ending

    this week on Friday.

         I would like to thank the board members for their unwavering

    support throughout our journey with the Student Senate cohort.  Your

    guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in our endeavors.

    I'm particularly grateful to the campus vice presidents who have

    consistently attended our Town Hall meetings, providing us with

    invaluable support and motivation.  Thank you so much for encouraging

    us.

         As a first-generation student, this year has been an incredible

    experience for me.  While in Uganda, I served as a student and a

    youth leader, but the dynamics here have been enriching in new ways.

         I extend my thanks to God, my parents, my siblings, family,

    friends, and all of you for your continuous encouragement.

         On behalf of the Student Senate, I would like to thank Student

    Life for their steadfast support in our initiatives and for

    amplifying our voices.  I am filled with happiness to share that I

    will be completing my integrated program in communication this fall.

         Thank you for the opportunity through Pima, many students like me

    achieving and excelling because we are blessed with educated board

    members, leaders, and faculty who care about students' academic





    excellence.  We also have a dedicated team of police to ensure

    security while at campus.

         I would like to urge everyone who is supporting Pima Community

    College to continue supporting this college financially and

    advocating for its mission, because your contribution not only enable

    the students to thrive but also empower students from different

    backgrounds to achieve their academic and personal goals.  Let us

    support and ensure that Pima Community College remains a background

    for opportunity and excellence for all.

         Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and belief in the

    potential of community college students.  This marks our final board

    record for the 2023/2024 cohort.  We immensely grateful for the

    opportunities provided to us.

         This has been the best experience for me.  I really liked

    providing reports for the students and advocating for my fellow

    students.  I believe that when I go to a four-year university, I will

    continue advocating.

         Thank you so much.

         (Applause.)

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Rebecca, are you walking through the

    graduation ceremonies on Wednesday?

         >> REBECCA URSULE:  No.  I will be graduating I think in May next

    year, because I'm completing my classes this year in the fall.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Remind us when you get close to graduation,

    because we'd love to be there and celebrate with you if we can, and





    if we can't, we will have you in our hearts.

         >> REBECCA URSULE:  Okay.  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         Our next report is from Rita Lennon from Faculty Senate.  I think

    she might be online.

         >> RITA LENNON:  I am.  Thank you, Chair Riel.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         >> RITA LENNON:  Members of the board, Chancellor Duran-Cerda,

    Pima family, and esteemed guests.  Thank you so much for having me

    today.

         At this point, I realize you have been listening to a lot of

    wonderful things that our Pima team have been doing for students and

    our community.  I promise to keep it short.

         However, I did want to mention real quick, Ms. Marcy Euler, my

    husband is a Griz, so I'll try not to hold it against you that you're

    a Bobcat.  I wanted to let you know that.  My kids were both born in

    Missoula, Montana.  It's so great to see someone else from Montana.

         Anyway, moving on to my report tonight, on behalf of the Faculty

    Senate and officers, I'd like to thank you for your dedication in

    improving shared governance this year.  Invitation to the board

    retreat was appreciated and taking an interest in our concerns by

    attending senate meetings and various institutional events such as

    the Futures Conference, HLC Town Halls, and strategic planning

    sessions indicate the shift we all knew we needed but hadn't been

    heard yet before.





         Also, your willingness to attend events and celebrations such as

    graduation and the NC3 Signing Day also shows faculty that you care

    about our community and our students too.

         My apologies for missing tonight's meeting, and I look forward to

    the fall semester along with you.  Thank you so much.  That concludes

    my report.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Rita, and Happy Faculty

    Appreciation Week.

         >> RITA LENNON:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Our next report is the staff report from

    Downi Griner.

         >> DOWNI GRINER:  Good evening, Interim Chancellor, Governing

    Board, and guests.  I will also keep my report short.

         To update you on what we have been doing in Staff Council, we

    have advertised, encouraged, and recruited volunteers to create an

    elections committee and a bylaws committee.  These committees play a

    crucial role in shaping the government structure of staff, council,

    and overseeing the election process.

         Active participation in these committees will not only help Staff

    Council to remain transparent and fair but will also contribute to

    our overall success with initiatives.  The elections committee and

    bylaws committee meet regularly to improve systems for the elections,

    process, and review Staff Council bylaws.

         That is my update.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you very much.





         Our next report, administrative report, with James Craig.

         >> JIM CRAIG:  Thank you, board chair, distinguished board,

    chancellor, PCC, family and friends.

         The administration and everyone in the college is anxiously

    awaiting graduation where we celebrate our students' graduation and

    their academic success and their preparation to go on with their

    careers.  We also have so many events going on right now with

    completion events for specific programs and a number of awards and

    awards ceremonies that are happening across the college.

         We're honored to recognize Megan Lynch who is nursing faculty.

    She was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and

    Inclusion Award.  She's being honored for the curriculum she

    developed with a focus on mental health and awareness, mindful

    techniques, and coping skills for nursing students.  This has been

    instrumental in promoting inclusion and closing the equity gaps.

         We are also celebrating a number of financial awards that the COE

    of health professions has gained, and this is going to help

    tremendously finish the center of excellence for health professions

    with equipment and furnishings that are desperately needed.

         They also have created two new partnerships with Northwest

    Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center for Grow Your Own program to

    expand capacity in the LPN and medical assistant program.

         We are excited to celebrate our business students who competed in

    the Arizona Community College Excellence Case Competition.  This is

    sponsored by Eller College and is a very fierce competition with 12





    teams that competed across the state for only three places:  first,

    second, and third.

         Happy to report that two of our Pima teams won first place and

    third place in this competition.  So we are very excited about that,

    and we thank the chancellor and the provost and the vice provost for

    showing up at the awards ceremony for them.  They were very thrilled

    to see everybody.

         We also had a wonderful awards ceremony for Student Life and

    student affairs leadership.  The report shows dozens of awards and

    wonderful recognition for students and student leaders that were

    recognized there, including our own Rebecca, who is obviously with us

    today and part of the Student Senate.

         Finally, we had a great event with the NC3 National Signing Day.

    Over 750 students registered for this event and got onstage and

    really made a recommitment to their academic career, to their career

    choice, and to their future success.  So it was a great event, and we

    were so happy and thrilled to see how excited and everybody else got

    about their future.

         It means a lot when they stand up there in front of hundreds of

    their peers and the entire college, and they sign a letter of intent,

    and then they put on a Pima hat and say, I'm here, I'm committed.

         Thank you.  That ends my report.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Jim.

         Our last report to the board is by adjunct faculty, Sean Mendoza.

         >> SEAN MENDOZA:  Good evening, Chairwoman Riel, Interim





    Chancellor Duran-Cerda, members of the board, and honored guests.

         Since my last report to the board, the adjunct faculty have had

    two meetings and met with members of administration to discuss

    marketing and updates to the strategic plan.

         Last month we met with Phil Burdick, vice chancellor of external

    relations, to discuss marketing and how adjunct faculty can help with

    recruitment.  We discovered student testimonials play a large role in

    attracting new students to our institution.

         As a result, adjunct faculty were encouraged to reach out to

    alumni willing to share their life-changing stories in an effort to

    recruit more students.  It was also suggested that some of my

    colleagues may be able to provide similar examples when their

    academic journey started with Pima, they obtained a significant

    academic and/or notable life achievement, and then returned to Pima

    to serve our students as a faculty member.

         Thank you, Vice Chancellor Burdick, for that important insight.

    This month a member of Dr. Richmond's team, Mr. Joseph Mais, provided

    us with an update for the college's strategic plan.  I want to thank

    Dr. Richmond and her team for extending a personal invitation for

    feedback and utilizing options that allow for synchronous and

    asynchronous communication, often leveraged by our adjunct faculty.

    Thank you, Dr. Richmond, for your work and that of your team.

         I'm also sorry to report that Zoe Schopick, our AERC

    representative, will not be returning in the fall.  Although she

    wasn't with the AERC team for very long, I want to thank her for her





    time and service on this very important council.

         Moving forward, a number of adjunct faculty have answered the

    call to service, and we hope to begin voting on a replacement in the

    next few days.  I look forward to providing you with the name of the

    new adjunct faculty representative to the AERC in the fall.

         Lastly, the biggest challenge that continues to be at the

    forefront of adjunct faculty is compensation.  With the increased

    costs of living and the rise of inflation, it can be challenging for

    our employee group to meet our day-to-day expenses.  As a result,

    some have chosen to leave our institution for more compensation or

    greater opportunities for advancement elsewhere.

         With each departure, the college loses the valuable resource once

    focused on student success and retention.  It's my hope that the

    board consider every option and opportunity towards attracting and

    retaining our excellent adjunct faculty.

         Thank you for your continued support.  This ends my report.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Sean.  Happy Faculty

    Appreciation Week to you also and all of yours.  We really appreciate

    you greatly.

         Our next report is the interim chancellor report.

         >> DR. DOLORES DURAN-CERDA:  Thank you, Board Chair Riel.  Good

    evening, everyone, and to those of you joining us virtually.  This is

    our last meeting before the commencement ceremony, which is next

    week, and it's always an exciting time and I know I will be seeing a

    lot of you there.





         Tomorrow night we have our Multicultural Convocation event at the

    West Campus.  I don't think we had it last year, but we brought it

    back, and we are very excited and we will be presenting our diversity

    awards there.  It's a time for family and students to celebrate who

    they are and their accomplishments.

         It's a season of gratitude.  It's actually my favorite part of

    the year where we have all of these celebrations and recognitions for

    our students and their accomplishments.  But they wouldn't be where

    they are now if it weren't for all of you, our faculty, our staff,

    our administrators, as well, and for the families and their friends,

    their support, to get them through where they are to now, like

    Rebecca.  We are very excited for you, Rebecca.

         And Happy Faculty Appreciation Week.  And thank you, Board Chair,

    and the entire board for sending that message of gratitude to all of

    our faculty who deserve it very much so, and this is a hard time

    right now with all the grading going on, but they are making the time

    to be here and to be continuing their teaching excellence with our

    students.  So thank you for that.

         It's also Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander

    Month.  We have several events taking place around the college to

    celebrate this month.

         Some congratulations to a few folks.  First I'd like to

    congratulate David Arellano and the student affairs team.  We talked

    about the Fall Forward early fall registration event that was held on

    April 20th at the Downtown Campus.  I believe there were





    approximately 111 students that were served that day.  So it's really

    encouraging, this is four months before classes start for the fall,

    and they were excited to be there and to get the help and the

    guidance through our advisors.

         Also our financial aid staff, Student Life, Access and Disability

    Resources, accounts receivable, external relations, high school

    outreach, adult basic ed was there, library, and the testing center.

    We also had our external partners such as Catholic University, Pima

    County OneStop, and the University of Arizona.  Thank you to David

    and to the student affairs and leadership team.

         I'd also like to congratulate our dean of sciences, Emily

    Halvorson-Otts, who last week went through her graduation ceremony at

    Ferris State University, and during her hooding, she was recognized

    with the Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award, and this was

    selected by her faculty.  So we want to congratulate Emily

    Halvorson-Otts.

         I'd also like to congratulate Dr. Nic Richmond for having been

    voted -- this is, like, a worldwide vote -- as one of the top-10 data

    and analytics professional award winner.  We are very happy for this

    wonderful achievement, and she's received this many years in a row.

         Finally, as a congratulations to our acting provost, Dr. Jeff

    Thies, for being selected as part of the Aspen Rising Presidential

    Fellows, which is a very prestigious fellowship program.  Just so you

    know, we have had a Pima College representative ever since its

    inception, and that was seven years ago.  Good luck to you, Jeff.  I





    think you'll enjoy the experience.

         There are several events that I attended, I won't list them all,

    because many of you have already shared those.  For example, HLC

    conference, Sun Corridor site selector event, Signing Day, which was

    a huge success, but we also had a recommitment with the Mexican

    Consulate and with Alma Ubetta (phonetic) who serves at the education

    window, serves as a liaison from the Mexican Consulate to educational

    entities such as primarily Pima Community College.  So we are excited

    that you're going to be continuing with that, Alma.

         We had also last month an All Trustees and AC4 meetings in

    Phoenix.  That's also where we had the governor's press conference on

    the workforce scholarship program that's on the agenda tonight that

    we'll be talking a little bit more.

         But it was a great meeting where we had all of the Arizona

    community colleges trustees and presidents and chancellors there to

    learn more about AI and other pieces that are trends in higher

    education.

         Recently we had the Arizona Transfer Summit in the Phoenix area.

    Several of our Pima colleagues were there.  I was happy to be

    presenting, along with a colleague from Cochise College, Abe

    Villarreal, who is the dean of the Douglas campus, and we presented

    on state-based his consortiums, models for developing communities of

    practice, which went very well.

         Also, Jim talked about the Case Competition and the business

    students we celebrated.  That was an exciting moment.  Took a selfie





    with all the students there.

         I'm almost done with my Chats with the Interim Chancellor.  This

    week I visited M&S and had a meeting with them and talked about

    what's going well, what we can improve upon, and any questions.  It

    was a fabulous, the room was full, and I really appreciated the

    insights and suggestions that the M&S folks had.  My last one will be

    at the District Office coming up soon.

         And finally, I'd like to thank the board for the board retreat

    that was held -- was it last week?  Yes, last week.  And to David

    Borofsky, who is here, the executive director for AC4, and Eddie

    Genna from Maricopa, who co-facilitated the event.  I think we have

    made a lot of progress with shared governance.  It was just amazing,

    and thank all of you who participated as part of that.

         So thank you.  Happy Graduation.  And also, Happy Mother's Day to

    those who are mothers.  Feliz Dma de las Madres.  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you, Dolores.

         No. 3, information items.  Definitely take a look at those.  I

    just want to point out the last one, 3.8, Achieve60 Pima County and

    the strategic plan update.  Dr. Nic Richmond, Joseph Mais, and Brian

    Stewart, I can't remember all of the people, but they put on a really

    good presentation.

         The next one I think, Brian, is it tomorrow?  For the strategic

    plan?  Thank you.

         >> BRIAN STEWART:  Absolutely.  Members of the board, so tomorrow

    we have a meeting with students to go over -- so there is a plan





    tomorrow for the big broad one, for anybody to, for the community to

    do, from 9:00 till 10:00.  And then there's one for students only,

    meeting with Senate, on Friday.  Then there is another one we are

    opening next week that is for the broad community, employees are

    welcome, as well, particularly focusing on students and the community

    to hear the plan, as well.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you for doing all of that.

         >> BRIAN STEWART:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Moving on to the consent agenda, are there

    any items that we'd like to have pulled?

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Madam Chair, I'd like to request that item

    4.5 be removed from the consent agenda so it can be dealt with

    separately.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any other items?

         Okay.  May I have a motion to pass the consent agenda.

         >> MR. GREG TAYLOR:  Move to approve the consent agenda.

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Second.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  All in favor say aye?

         (Ayes.)

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any opposed?

         Motion passes unanimously.

         Moving down to the action items, 5.1, the fiscal year -- do you

    want to do yours first?  Okay.

         4.5, do I have a motion?

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Madam Chair, I move that the Governing Board





    authorize the interim chancellor or designee to execute an

    intergovernmental agreement with the Office of the Arizona Governor

    to make available to Pima College funds the governor received from

    the U.S. Department of Education to support pandemic and economic

    recovery efforts expected in an amount up to $900,000, and to execute

    amendments necessary to further define the permissible uses of the

    funds and to meet any applicable requirements for use of the funds.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.  Do I hear a second?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Second.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Now I will ask David Borofsky if you

    wouldn't mind coming down and just giving us a quick update on where

    we are.  We know that the governor presented that money to us in

    theory, but we'd like to hear what's happening now.

         >> MR. DAVID BOROFSKY:  It's still in theory.  No, just kidding.

         Madam Chair, members of the board, Interim Chancellor Dolores,

    where we are now is we are having a meeting a week from Tuesday on

    the 14th with the governor's office, grants office, to put together

    the proposal with what the grants office sent out in the IGA to all

    the presidents and the chancellors.

         They don't quite mesh.  There are things in the proposal that

    ended up in the IGA, and there are things in the proposal that did

    not end up in the IGA, and there are things in the IGA that weren't

    in the proposal.

         So we have been gathering questions from all of the colleges.  I

    have been working with Erin Hart from the governor's office, her





    higher ed policy advisor, and we will get it all straightened out a

    week from Tuesday.

         I would advise you that your interim chancellor's name is on the

    IGA, and I have encouraged all the boards to encourage their leader

    to sign that IGA and not give it to someone else, no offense to

    anybody in the room, to sign, because that's the way the governor

    would like it.

         I'm happy to answer any questions if there are any.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         >> MR. GREG TAYLOR:  I do have one.  Once you get all the

    paperwork signed, once we have the $900,000, is that all immediately

    available for scholarships, or is it spread out over a period of

    years, or is there some endowment portion of it, or how does it work?

         >> MR. DAVID BOROFSKY:  Great question.  It is immediate.  It is

    900,000, it's not up to, it is 900,000, it's backdated to January

    1st, at least that's the way the IGA reads at the moment, and it has

    to be spent, not encumbered, by September 30th.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Of this year?

         >> MR. DAVID BOROFSKY:  Of this year.

         Other questions?  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.

         So, you know, I'm sure I can help anybody spend that money.  If

    you have a department and you want to know how to do it, just show me

    your wish book, and I can show you how I shop.  It would be really

    great if we could use this money for student success and tuition and





    all those kind of things.  It's for workforce development primarily,

    and so I know we have students who are in need.  So let's get her

    done and let's spend that money.  If we have a deadline, let's try to

    get it done.

         If there is no more discussion, I will call for a vote.  All in

    favor say aye.

         (Ayes.)

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any opposed?  Motion passes unanimously.

         Moving on to section 5.1, this is the fiscal year 2025 employee

    salary and wages.  Do I hear a motion?

         I'll move to accept this budget for -- it includes removing the

    caps for regular employees, placing regular staff employees at the

    greater of their years of experience, targets on the salary scale, or

    providing a minimum compensation.  It provides for an increase for

    regular faculty salaries, and it increases the base adjunct faculty

    rates both in Tier 1 and Tier 2.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Second.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any discussion?

         I just want to say thank you to Dr. David Bea and AERC for making

    this happen.  This was a really important priority of the Governing

    Board to make sure that we compensate our employees in a way that

    shows that we value them, and I really appreciate all of your work to

    get this done.  So thank you.

         Okay.  Not hearing any more discussion, all in favor, say aye.

         (Ayes.)





         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any opposed?  Motion passes unanimously.

         Moving on to our second item, the capital project plan for the

    fiscal year 2025.

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Madam Chair, I move that the Governing Board

    approve $46.5 million in capital projects and estimated life cycle

    needs for fiscal year 2025.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Is there a second?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Second.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any discussion?

         >> MR. GREG TAYLOR:  I have a question, actually.  I just noticed

    it now, so forgive me for not submitting it earlier, but in the

    ongoing and deferred maintenance and equipment replacement funds, it

    says that the funding source for IT/academic technology is tech fee,

    and I thought we just got rid of the tech fee.

         So is there still more left that we are using, or is that

    allocated in a different way?

         >> DR. DAVID BEA:  Good evening, Chairperson Riel, members of the

    board, Chancellor Duran-Cerda, colleagues and guests.  It's an error.

    It's because the timing of when the database was put together, and I

    saw it right before you did.  (Laughter.)  I'm like...

         No, it will be coming out of essentially the general fund now

    because the fee is no longer.  Hopefully that clears that up.

         >> MR. GREG TAYLOR:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any other comments?

         Okay.  All in favor, say aye.





         (Ayes.)

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any opposed?  Motion passes unanimously.

         5.3, the publication of fiscal year 2025 proposed budget and

    preparation for the June 2024 public hearing and special board

    meeting to adopt the budget and set property tax rates and levies.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I move, second it.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  So you're moving to approve this proposal?

    Is there a second?

         >> MR. LUIS GONZALES:  Second.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Thank you.  Any discussion?

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  I want to make sure that I understand this

    correctly.  We're just approving the publication and scheduling of

    the hearing?

         >> DR. DAVID BEA:  Yes, that's correct.  What you're approving is

    the format of the budget based on the parameters that we have already

    talked about so that we can publish it both with the

    truth-in-taxation statement and the budgetary statements and the

    state forms so that it can be reviewed by the taxpayers.

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  And we are not approving a tax increase?

         >> DR. DAVID BEA:  So the proposal has a tax increase in it, but

    the actual approval both of the budget, adoption of the budget, and

    the actual approval of the tax levy increase will happen in June.

         >> DR. WADE McLEAN:  Thank you.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  All in favor, say aye?

         (Ayes.)





         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Any opposed?

         Motion passes.  Are there any requests for future agenda items?

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  Chair, I would like to request an

    assessment or a review on the energy management project.  I'd like to

    know how much has been spent, the completion, and if any savings that

    have been given to us.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Okay.  Thank you, Maria.

         I think that our June meeting might be full because we have all

    of these things that we have to do for the taxes.  Would you mind if

    we had it in our first meeting in August or September, our next board

    meeting?

         Because I think our meeting is already going to be really full.

    If you remember that last time we did it, it was a full, I mean, I

    think this is a long meeting, but it was like this.

         >> MS. MARIA GARCIA:  I'll accept that.

         >> MS. THERESA RIEL:  Okay.  Obviously, though, if you can get

    the information to us in advance, that would be great so we can look

    through it, but we won't talk about it until our August board

    meeting.

         Okay.  Thank you.  Any other items?

         Okay.  I'm going to adjourn this meeting.  Thank you all for

    being here.

         (Adjournment.)





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