Minutes of the Board of Trustees Public Session
September 8, 2026
Members present: A. Joyce Price-Jones, Chair; Jennifer Pastrone, Vice Chair; Dr. Nadine Chien; Dr. M. Alexandra Matiella Novak; Sandra E. Moore; JaCina Stanton-Buttrom; Anelle R. Tumminello; and Larry White, Sr.
Absent: Roxana Rodriguez
I. Call to Order - A. Joyce Price-Jones, Chair
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
II. Roll Call and Approval of the Agenda - A. Joyce Price-Jones, Chair
Ms. Price-Jones asked for the roll call, and a quorum was established. By motion of Dr. Chien, seconded by Ms. Pastrone, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the agenda.
III. Welcome and Introductions - A. Joyce Price-Jones, Chair
Ms. Price-Jones welcomed everyone to the Board of Trustees meeting and introduced Larry White Sr. as the new student member of the Board of Trustees and highlighted his academic pursuits at AACC, more than 30 years of information technology experience, and service in the U.S. Navy. She also recognized his leadership and service through the Military and Veteran Resource Center, Student Veterans Association, and Black Male Institute.
IV. Approval of 2026-2027 Full-Time Faculty Tenure Track and Term Appointments - Dr. Clayton Railey III, Interim Provost/Vice President for Learning
Dr. Railey asked the Board to approve the full-time faculty tenure-track and term appointments for 2026-2027. With approval of the full-time faculty appointments listed in the main motion, instructional staffing for the Schools of Business and Law, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Science, Technology, and Education, will be sufficient for the effective delivery of academic programs. Funding for the requested faculty appointments will come from the Division of Learning operating budget.
By motion of Ms. Pastrone, seconded by Ms. Tumminello, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2026-2027 Full-Time Faculty Tenure Track and Term Appointments for the following faculty members for Full-Time Faculty Tenure Track Appointments: Christina Junker, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Seth Miller, Associate Professor of Biology; and Reham Okily, Assistant Professor of Medical Lab Technician; Full-Time Faculty Term Appointments: Bradley Austin, Associate Professor of Geography; Anne Marie Bach-Starling, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Karen Barber, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts & Humanities; Michelle Bentley, Professor of TEACH Institute; Jennifer Birdsell, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Kathryn Blood, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Ewell Bowers, Professor of English; Abigail Brackins, Professor of Mathematics; Hannah Bredar, Assistant Professor of English; Amy Carattini, Associate Professor of Sociology; David Caskey, Professor of Academic Literacies; Lisa Chamberlain, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Frederick Chapple, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Patricia Clarke, Assistant Professor of Surgical Technology; Nicholas Chen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Alex Colucci, Assistant Professor of Geography; Jameson Coopman, Assistant Professor of Biology; Darius Cureton, Associate Professor of Liberal Arts; Shelley DeBlasis, Associate Professor of English; Bryan Deehring, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity, Networking & Digital Forensics; Haley Draper, Associate Professor of Communications; Cynthia Duffy, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Erik Dunham, Professor of Visual Arts & Humanities; LaTanya Eggleston, Assistant Professor of Communications; Christopher Eninger, Assistant Professor of Biology & Environmental Center; Lydia Fassett, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Jeffrey Feuer, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Oksana Fisher, Associate Professor of Business Administration; Valerie Fomengia, Assistant Professor of Accounting; Eric Fons, Associate Professor of Physics; Sandra Fox-Moon, Associate Professor of Biology & Environmental Center; Zoe Friedman, Associate Professor of Visual Arts & Humanities; Rita Victoria A Gomez, Professor of History; Raechel Griffin, Instructor of Mathematics; Richard Hardesty, Assistant Professor of History; Brendan Hart, Assistant Professor of Economics; Julianna Hawk, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Vernon Headley, Assistant Professor of Sociology; Mary Holden-Musser, Associate Professor of Biology & Environmental Center; Ruimin Hu, Professor of Computer Science; Nnamdi Idika, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Tricia Jackson, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Karen Jones, Assistant Professor of Nursing; John Kammeier, Assistant Professor of Accounting; Charles Karpati, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems; Michael Kelley, Assistant Professor of Computer Science; Katherine Keough, Assistant Professor of Physical Science; Louis King, Assistant Professor of Business Management; Theresa Kotkiewicz, Professor of Business Management; Xi Kramer, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity, Networking & Digital Forensics; Lonni Fay Kyhos, Assistant Professor of Legal Studies Institute; Zoe LaSalle, Assistant Professor of Communications; Kimberly Law, Associate Professor of Business Administration; Johnny Lew, Professor of English; Ken Lew, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity, Networking & Digital Forensics; Harry Li, Assistant Professor of Biology; Kelly Livernoche, Instructor of Biology; Carrie Long, Associate Professor of Biology; Rachel Loukota, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Christopher MacDonald, Assistant Professor of Health Fit & Exercise Studies; Lorna Maloney, Assistant Professor of Legal Studies; Heather Mason, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Brittany Meyer, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Cody Michaels, Assistant Professor of Library; Sean Moorhouse, Instructor of EMT-Paramedics; Rhianna Moyer, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Kevin Murphy, Assistant Professor of Philosophy; Daniel Nataf, Professor of Political Science; Athanasios Nathanail, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems; Patrick Nolan, Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology; Amy Nudell, Associate Professor of Nursing; Jessica O'Leary, Instructor of Mathematics; Takamitsu Ono, Associate Professor of Sociology; Juli Pastrana, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Carol Pearce, Assistant Professor of Architecture & Interior Design; Andrea Pecukaitis, Assistant Professor of Nursing/Healthcare Initiatives; Sage Perkins, Assistant Professor of English; Jennifer Phipps, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Lily Pitre, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Carolyn Pratt, Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies; Paul Redd, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity, Networking, & Digital Forensics; Nicole Reed, Associate Professor of Health and Wellness; Sophie Reverdy, Assistant Professor of Library; Lindsay Roark, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Jeffery Roberson, Associate Professor of Architecture & Interior Design; Tushar Routh, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems; Courtney Sabol, Assistant Professor of TEACH Institute; Marandalynn Scholz, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Jennifer Schuster, Associate Professor of Visual Arts & Humanities; William Seabrook, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity, Networking & Digital Forensics; Nicholas Shaman, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Cindy Shank, Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology; James Sherman, Associate Professor of Engineering; Drew Snyder, Associate Professor of Visual Arts & Humanities; Jacqueline Snyder, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Kaitlyn Spicknall, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Johnelka Stafford, Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Julie Takacs, Associate Professor of Biology & Environmental Center; John Tran, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medical Services; Sean Urbantke, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts; Christine Vasica, Associate Professor of Library; Akash Vasistha, Instructor of Visual Arts-Gaming; Mary Venters, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Simon Ward, Assistant Professor of English; Brian Weber, Assistant Professor of English; Kristin Weedn, Associate Professor of Nursing; Nancy Weibell, Assistant Professor of Biology; Krista White, Professor of Biology; Elester Williams, Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology; Andrew Yolleck, Assistant Professor of Physical Science; and Christine Zabala-Eisshofer, Assistant Professor of Academic Literacies.
Dr. Railey introduced the new faculty to the Board: Dr. Nicolas Chen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Lydia Fassett, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Valerie Fomengia, Assistant Professor of Accounting; Raechel Griffin, Instructor of Mathematics; Dr. Vernon Headley, Assistant Professor of Sociology; Tricia Jackson, Assistant Professor of Nursing; John Kammeier, Assistant Professor of Accounting; Lorna Maloney, Assistant Professor of Legal Studies; Cody Michaels, Assistant Professor of Systems & Resources Management; Dr. Athos Nathanail, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems; Dr. Patrick Nolan, Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology; Dr. Lily Pitre, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Dr. Tushar Routh, Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems; Elester Williams, and Assistant Professor of Biology-Anatomy & Physiology.
V. Consent Agenda
Ms. Price-Jones presented the Consent Agenda. By motion of Dr. Chien, seconded by Ms. Moore and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Consent Agenda:
• Approval of the minutes of the June 23, 2026, Board of Trustees Public Session.
• Approval the award of contract for the purchase of audiovisual equipment and services for the Henry L. Dragun Science building renovation to Washington Professional Systems, of Wheaton, Maryland in an amount not to exceed $758,733.
• Approval the award of contract for AudioCodes voice services and infrastructure enhancements for Microsoft Teams Phone to Coastal Commerce Group LLC (dba CCG Telecom) of Westerly, Rhode Island in an amount not to exceed $746,625 over the three-year term.
VI. Board Chair and Committee Reports
A. Board Chair Report - A. Joyce Price-Jones, Chair
Ms. Price-Jones welcomed the Board to the new academic year and expressed excitement about the College’s future.
She thanked Dr. Tanya Millner for serving as Interim President and referenced Dr. Millner’s Convocation message that, although Dr. Millner is serving as Interim President, it was not an interim year. Ms. Price-Jones also noted changes to the Board’s committee structure and reporting practices intended to strengthen its focus on fiscal stewardship, strategic oversight, accountability, and long-term vision.
She highlighted the importance of the presidential search, co-chaired by Vice Chair Jennifer Pastrone and Trustee JaCina Stanton-Buttrom, and thanked the search committee for its service. She also recognized the commitment and volunteer service of the Board members and emphasized the opportunity to prepare for the College’s future while remaining focused on its students, mission, and the future of the institution.
B. Audit Committee - JaCina Stanton-Buttrom, Committee Chair
Ms. Stanton-Buttrom reported that the Audit Committee met via Zoom on August 17, to review the FY2026 audit; the committee’s roles and responsibilities; accounting procedures and regulatory updates; information security and continuity of operations; the FY2026 financial status report; and the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust. The committee received an overview of the planned FY2026 audit from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, including the scope of services and deliverables; the audit approach, staffing and anticipated timing; the auditors’ preliminary risk assessment and areas of focus; the compliance audit of federal funds under the Uniform Guidance; and new accounting standards affecting the College’s FY2026 financial statements.
The committee also received updates on cybersecurity and continuity planning and reviewed the College’s FY2026 financial results, which projected a balanced operating budget, with higher than budgeted tuition due to stronger than anticipated enrollment and fee revenue and lower operating expenses due to position turnover, benefit savings, and prudent spending controls.
She also reported that the College’s share of the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust had a market value of approximately $39.1 million and was 80.3% funded as of June 30. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for October 14, when it expected to review the audit results and draft financial statements.
C. Board Policy Oversight Committee - A. Joyce Price-Jones, Committee Chair
Ms. Price-Jones informed the Board that drafts of the Board of Trustees Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Trustee Confidentiality Agreement were included in the Board packet for review. She explained that the SOPs outlined governance principles and expectations for Trustee conduct and Board operations, while the Confidentiality Agreement addressed Trustees’ responsibilities regarding confidential and nonpublic Board matters.
She explained that the SOPs had been developed under the authority of the Bylaws to establish procedures that facilitated the conduct of Board meetings. She noted that the SOPs were not considered a policy or procedure under the College’s Policy on Development of Policies and Procedures but instead supplemented the Bylaws and other applicable Board policies and procedures.
Ms. Price-Jones stated that the Board Policy Oversight Committee would review both documents, along with any Trustee questions or suggested revisions, with the goal of bringing them to the full Board as action items at the October meeting. She also noted that related Board policies and procedures, including the Conflict of Interest Policy and Procedures, might require revisions for consistency with the SOPs.
D. Budget and Human Resources Committee - Jennifer Pastrone, Committee Chair
Ms. Pastrone reported that, in lieu of the committee’s meeting that month, the committee received a written update on the FY2026 Financial Status Report and the FY2027 Budget and Human Resources Committee meeting topics. She noted that the year-end FY2026 financial status report, reflecting adjustments as of July 27, projected a balanced operating budget while utilizing less Tuition Stabilization Fund support than originally budgeted and projected.
She also reported that the committee received the planned FY2027 meeting dates and topics, which were aligned to support development of the budget proposal and materials for the full Board’s Budget Workshop scheduled for February 18, 2027.
E. Facilities and Procurement Committee - Roxana Rodriguez, Committee Chair
The Facilities and Procurement Committee report was included in the Board packet. No oral report was presented.
F. Presidential Search Committee - Jennifer Pastrone and JaCina Stanton-Buttrom, Committee Co-Chairs
Ms. Stanton-Buttrom provided an update on the search for the next President of Anne Arundel Community College. She reported that the position announcement closed on August 4, with RH Perry & Associates reaching 15,395 individuals in its database and contacting 632 higher education and professional association members for nominations and referrals. RH Perry & Associates received 150 completed applications representing a broad range of educational backgrounds, professional experience, and leadership tenures within and outside higher education.
She reported that the search committee met on September 2 to review the evaluation process, participate in bias awareness training, and discuss conflict of interest disclosure requirements. She noted that the committee is scheduled to meet on September 9 to extend invitations for interviews on September 28 and 29. She reiterated the Board’s commitment to conducting a transparent search to identify the next President of Anne Arundel Community College.
G. AACC Foundation - Dr. Nadine Chien, Lead Liaison and Larry White, Sr.
Mr. White shared a thank you letter from a student who received a scholarship.
Dr. Chien reported as of August 20, the Foundation had raised just over $510,000 in gifts and commitments for FY2027. She noted that preliminary FY2026 figures showed $1.97 million in donor-funded scholarships had been awarded to 935 AACC students, with the FY2027 scholarship budget exceeding $2.7 million. She also expressed appreciation to the AACC Foundation Board and College Board of Trustees for their support, noting that the Foundation raised more than $3.3 million in gifts and commitments during FY2026.
She also reported that the Foundation held an orientation in early August for new Board members Zirabelle Bate, Brenda Boultwood, and Amy Tate. She noted that the first full Foundation Board meeting of the fiscal year is scheduled for September 23, followed by the annual joint board reception with the College Board of Trustees.
VII. President’s Report - Dr. Tanya Millner, Interim President
A. College Updates - Dr. Tanya Millner, Interim President
Dr. Millner emphasized that student success is the College’s North Star and should guide decisions regarding time, attention, and resources. She identified three institutional priorities for the academic year, student retention, student completion, and institutional stability, grounded in the strategic plan. She explained that retention required recognizing when students were struggling or disengaging and emphasized that all employees had a role in helping students remain connected and supported. She noted that completion involved providing broad access and high expectations while helping students progress toward their individual goals. Institutional stability required ensuring the College had the people, capacity, and organizational foundation needed to support students and advance its mission, particularly during a year of transition. Dr. Millner reported that, as of September 7, fall headcount was up 1% while full-time equivalent enrollment was down 1.1% compared with the previous year and noted that enrollment and student engagement would continue to be monitored throughout the semester.
She also provided an update on Commencement planning, noting that changes to the Anne Arundel County Public Schools calendar and graduation schedule created a conflict with the College’s traditional plans. She reported that she and the vice presidents decided to pursue a new on-campus AACC Commencement experience featuring a Grad Walk, with the commencement committee developing the details and keeping the student experience at the center of the planning. Dr. Millner emphasized that the College’s priorities focused on helping students stay and reach their goals while ensuring AACC remained strong and stable. She concluded by expressing appreciation for the faculty and staff who supported students each day and her enthusiasm for working together to help students succeed.
B. Action Items
1. Approval of 2026 Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Performance Accountability Report - Dr. Clayton Railey III, Interim Provost/Vice President for Learning
Dr. Railey shared a presentation on the MHEC Performance Accountability Report. It is an annual report required by the MHEC, consisting of an accountability indicator report and narrative report aligned with the 2022 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education. He noted that the report included 32 indicators and that the 2030 benchmarks were established through a collaborative, data-informed process incorporating historical performance, peer comparisons, stakeholder input, strategic priorities, and environmental factors. He reported that 2026 marked the beginning of the 2026–2030 reporting cycle and that AACC had also analyzed ten years of historical data and the effects of the pandemic to establish realistic and meaningful benchmarks.
He reported that the data reflected an increasingly diverse student population and reinforced the importance of flexible, affordable, and accessible pathways. He noted positive trends in access and affordability, including growth in dual enrollment and market share, as well as tuition and fees remaining below the benchmark relative to Maryland public four-year institutions. He also highlighted encouraging gains in retention and persistence, including retention reaching its highest post-pandemic level and substantial gains among several student populations, while noting that graduation and transfer outcomes required continued attention. Dr. Railey reported strong workforce outcomes, including high licensure and certification pass rates in several health professions programs and nearly 80% of continuing education workforce training completers employed within one year, while noting the decline in workforce development participation as an area for continued focus.
By motion of Ms. Tumminello, seconded by Ms. Stanton-Buttrom, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2026 MHEC Performance Accountability Report.
2. Approval of Staff Development Leave - Dr. Clayton Railey III, Interim Provost/Vice President for Learning
Dr. Railey asked the Board to approve the Staff Development Leave
for Dr. Lori Perez, Assistant Dean of Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
He reported that Dr. Perez’s leave would focus on investigating how Life Design frameworks could strengthen student success, career readiness, faculty development, and institutional effectiveness. He explained that the project would develop a practical implementation plan for AACC, beginning with the School of Liberal Arts and the Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Interdisciplinary Studies department. Deliverables would include a Life Design Landscape Scan, recommendations for integrating Life Design into teaching, mentoring, leadership development, and employee career growth, and a pilot implementation plan with timelines, partners, and assessment measures.
By motion of Dr. Chien, seconded by Mr. White, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the staff development leave.
VIII. New Business
Ms. Moore shared that she had applied for and completed the Association of Community College Trustees’ Excel program and strongly recommended it to the trustees interested in parliamentary procedures, advocacy, and governance. She noted that the courses could be taken at any time and found the program remarkably helpful, even after serving on the Board for many years.
IX. VOTE TO CLOSE MEETING - A. Joyce Price-Jones, Chair
A. To discuss personnel matters related to the presidential search and to protect the privacy or reputation of individuals with respect to a matter that is not related to public business pursuant to Sections 3-305(b)(1) and 3-305(b)(2) of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code Section 3-305(d)(2)(i)(ii).
By motion of Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Pastrone, and a roll call taken of trustees to determine their vote, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the vote to close the meeting.
X. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m.