The Northwest State Community College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Friday, December 14 on the Archbold campus. As part of the meeting, the Board approved a new Associate of Applied Science – Agronomy program. The program will prepare graduates for careers in agronomic related fields, with an emphasis in nutrient management and soils related opportunities, such as crop consultant, soil technician, and other related technical positions.
THE REGIONAL IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE
NSCC President Dr. Michael Thomson noted that over the College’s six-county service area, there is 1.6 million acres of land, with over 82% of those acres in production agriculture, reinforcing the importance of this program. According to the USDA, there were 73,600 farm operations around the state, with 14,000,000 acres of land operated in 20171. Soybean and corn harvests alone account for over $4.3 billion (value of production). Thomson also noted that other ag-related programs are in the works, with potential areas of focus including precision agriculture and agribusiness.
In other Board action:
• Approved Emeritus Status for Lori Bird, Lynda Cramer and Peter Beck, all of whom will be recognized at a special Emeritus dinner prior to Fall Commencement
• Approved a new short-term certificate program – Manufacturing Foundations
• Approved a new policy on sexual misconduct, as well as policy revisions on the code of student conduct and student due process and grievances
• Approved the employment contracts of Suzanne Lammers, Faculty-Developmental Mathematics, and Sarah Stubblefield, Training Coordinator-Industrial Technologies.
• Approved the promotions of Terry King to Director-Data Systems, and James Zeller to Senior Administrator-Data Systems
• Approved a title change for Ashley Pere to Grand Coordinator, and a market salary adjustment to James Bellamy, Coordinator-Marketing & Communications
• Approved the 2017-2018 College Audit
• Approved miscellaneous employment contracts and one resignation
• Approved a revision to facility room rental rates
