Utah Board of Higher Education

Davis Technical College

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

 

Board Members Present                                                      Board Members Absent

Lisa-Michele Church, Chair                                                                                    Grace Acosta

Jesselie Anderson, Vice Chair                                                                               Julie Beck

Stan Albrecht                                                                                                                  Stacey Bettridge

Rich Christiansen                                                                                                         Patricia Jones

Sanchaita Datta                                                                                                             Arthur Newell

Hope Eccles

Korianne Gibson

Shawn Newell

Steve Starks

Scott Theurer

Xitlalli Villanueva

Rick Wheeler

 

Office of the Commissioner

Dave Woolstenhulme, Deputy Commissioner

Geoffrey Landward, Deputy Commissioner

Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner & CFO

Alison Adams-Perlac, General Counsel

Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Board of Higher Education

 

Davis Technical College President, Board of Trustees and Administration

Darin Brush, President

Troy Wood, Trustee Chair

Amanda Covington, Trustee

Brandon Howard, Trustee

Derek Lamb, Trustee

Adam Toone, Trustee

Tami Tran, Trustee

Wendee Cole, Assistant to the President

Jeff Lund, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Leslie Mock, Vice President of Instruction

Riley Pearce, Audio Visual Specialist

Kelly Simerick, Vice President for Student Services

 

 

Chair Church called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

President’s Report and Board of Trustees Report

 

Davis Technical College’s Board of Trustees Chair Troy Wood provided his insight and perspective on the state of the college. President Brush reviewed Davis Tech’s strategic plan, aligning with the Board’s plan. He highlighted the five-year enrollment history of the institution, its graduation rates, and explained the FY23 Performance Management Dashboard. He shared that nearly 400 students transferred from Weber State University to Davis Tech and highlighted that pathways are moving in both directions. The following four things are what President Brush sees for the future at Davis Tech: 1. Everyone feels a sense of belonging, 2. Clock-to-credit conversion, 3. Dual enrollment and regional pathways, and 4. Lower cost-per-student FTE among technical colleges.

 

Chair Church introduced the Board members in attendance, and Chair Wood introduced the Davis Tech Trustees in attendance. Board member Theurer asked how President Brush worked to build relationships with the high schools. President Brush shared how Davis Tech is unique in positioning with the high schools. They have their own charter high school, Career Path High. They’ve worked hard with their relationship with Morgan School District, even teaching a few programs in Morgan. They have the strongest relationship they’ve ever had with the Davis School District. The Catalyst Center in Kaysville has become part of their lab, where they teach medical assisting, pharmacy tech, and culinary arts.

 

Board member Datta asked how the transfer experience has been for students transferring to other USHE institutions. President Brush explained that the process has been challenging, but the door is opening.

 

At Vice-Chair Anderson’s request, President Brush shared about the Red Barn program, Davis Tech’s equivalent of a halfway house. It is a two-to-three-year full residential rehabilitation program. They will teach some introductory programs to excite the residents to come to Davis Tech after they graduate from Red Barn.

 

Chair Church asked President Brush how they were able to increase the number of diverse students enrolled. President Brushed noted they have been working more closely with the Department of Workforce Services, faith-based leaders, and community-based organizations. They have a Job Corps Center in Clearfield, a youth program.

Board member Shawn Newell made a motion to go into closed session for the purposes of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; Board member Datta seconded the motion and the motion passed.

 

Closed Session

Board member Datta made a motion to end closed session. Board member Eccles seconded the motion and the motion passed.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ___________________________

Geoffrey Landward, Secretary

 

Date Approved: May 18, 2023