Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Ironwood — The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees discussed the upcoming April 15 visit from the Higher Learning Commission during its meeting on Tuesday.
John Lupino, chairman of the board, said he thinks the college is doing “well.”
“We’re looking at some of the concerns that they (HEC) had last time and we’re addressing them to the best of our ability,” he said.
One of the issues HEC raised during its last visit was that assessments were not conducted universally, which resulted in data not being able to be accurately measured.
“We have to be vigilant and this has to be a high priority for all of us,” Lupino said.
Maria Sokol, accreditation liaison, gave a update on the preparations the college has undertaken to help peer reviewers Daniel Wright and James Baber with the evaluation process. She presented the board with the schedule of the peer review team and announced it will also be emailed to all staff. The schedule is currently posted on the accreditation page, listed under events on the college website. Students and the public are encouraged to attend the sessions, she said.
“The entire GCC campus community is prepared and looking forward to the HLC’s critical review of our progress and processes, assurance that our continuous improvement efforts in the highlighted areas are heading the institution in the right direction, and helpful advice that will lead to GCC’s advancement,” Sokol said.
In other business, the board:
—Approved a three-year contract for auditing services with Rehmann of Traverse City after a brief discussion among the board about travel expense arising from hiring an out-of-the-area firm.
—Approved the 2019 graduate list.
—Approved the resignation of Amanda Delich, psychology/instructor. Dean of Instruction Ryon List said, “She has been a great faculty leader on campus,” and “will be missed by all.” The board thanked her for her service to GCC and authorized the administration to seek a replacement for the position.
—Recognized the retirements of: Keith Beckman, network administrator; Tricia Belmas, psychology instructor; Sue Forbes, director of financial aid, Kathi Maciejewski, director of library/ Learning Resource Center and Ray Nemi, construction building trades instructor.
—Heard GCC’s future president, George McNulty, is expected to be at the board’s next meeting.
—Approved beginning every meeting with a “no-conflict” statement.
—Announced the board’s upcoming working session at GCC on Thursday at 4:30 to listen to a representative from the YMCA. Lupino said this was only to be a working session and no action will be taken.
