Bryan Campus Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room B, Administration Building, 2608 E. Villa Maria Rd., Bryan, TX
Meeting Minutes
The Bryan Campus Advisory Committee met on March 18, 2025, in Meeting Room B, located in the Administration Building at 2608 E. Villa Maria Rd., Bryan, TX.
Committee Members Present
Chair Kenny Lawson, Secretary Jason Cornelius, Mr. John Bush, Ms. Ginger Carrabine, Ms. Marca Ewers-Shurtleff, Mr. Tim Harkrider, Mr. Larry Hodges, Mr. Jason Jennings, and Mr. Ron Schmidt. All members were accounted for.
Representatives of Blinn College
Dr. Mary Hensley, Mr. Leighton Schubert, Mr. Jay Anderson, Dr. Clen Burton, Dr. Marcelo Bussiki, Dr. Jimmy Byrd, Mr. Myron Dipple, Mr. Chris Marrs, Ms. Tami Glenn, Ms. Amy Jones, Dr. John Rice, Ms. Carol Wiggins, Ms. Melissa Alvarez, Ms. Donette Sis, and Ms. Debbie Stevens.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Kenny Lawson at 12:20 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from October 1, 2024, meeting was approved with motion by Mr. Jason Cornelius, seconded by Mr. Ron Schmidt.
Legislative Update
Presented by Mr. Leighton Schubert, Executive Vice Chancellor
Mr. Schubert provided an update on House Bill 8 and its impact on community colleges, focusing on the new outcome-based funding model, which accounts for 98% of state funding. The model prioritizes:
- High school students completing 15 hours of dual credit courses.
- Students completing 15 hours and transferring to a public university in Texas or those engaging in a structured co-enrollment program.
- Awarding credentials of value.
Mr. Schubert highlighted a projected $7.4 million increase in state funding in the first year of HB 8; however, recent funding formula updates indicate a $4.4 million decrease in the current fiscal year. Contributing factors include underreported co-enrolled students, later recertified, adding $1.2 million in state funding. Blinn's property tax rate being below the assumed 5-cent rate, reducing state funding by $875,000. Disqualification of approximately 20% of Blinn's transfer students due to the one-semester credit hour rule related to courses completed at a four-year university prior to transferring, leading to a $2.3 million funding loss. Efforts are underway to amend the rules related to the property tax rate and the transfer item.
Mr. Schubert also noted that the Governor has extended the tuition freeze for public universities to now include community colleges. Additionally, he provided an update on the new Blinn College campus in Waller-Harris County, set to open in Fall 2027.
Enrollment Update
Presented by Dr. Becky McBride, Vice Chancellor for Student Services
Dr. McBride reported a slight increase in enrollment districtwide that also includes a decline in Bryan Campus enrollment, with total enrollment at 3,982 as of February 11, 2025. However, Texas A&M University's planned reduction in freshman class sizes may positively impact Blinn's future enrollment.
Blinn continues outreach efforts through: Customer Relations Management (CRM) email and text communication; the "Stop Out" campaign, which contacted over 1,400 students who applied but did not register; the FAST dual credit program, which has grown by over 20% district wide; "Blinn Friday" (Preview Day), which hosted 164 prospective students in February; and monthly New Student Registration (NSR) events from April to August to assist incoming students with advising and enrollment.
AI Tools for Faculty and Staff
Presented by Dr. John Rice, Instructional Technologist and Computer Information Technology, and Ms. Carol Wiggins, Program Coordinator
Dr. Rice introduced the Blinn AI Hub, an internal SharePoint website providing AI resources and training. The Hub includes licensed tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Cloud Sweep.
Ms. Wiggins discussed the growth of workforce-based programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. These programs emphasize industry certifications in partnership with AWS, Google, and Microsoft. She highlighted the increasing demand for AI proficiency among job seekers and the importance of ethical AI use in business and technical fields.
Child Development/Teaching Program Update
Presented by Ms. Amy Jones and Ms. Tami Glenn
Ms. Jones provided an overview of the Child Development and Teaching programs and introduced Ms. Tami Glenn, a Blinn alumna and Bryan ISD teacher. Ms. Glenn shared her educational journey, from earning an A.A.S. at Blinn to obtaining advanced degrees from Sam Houston State University and Stephen F. Austin State University.
Ms. Ginger Carrabine recognized Ms. Glenn as Bryan ISD District Teacher of the Year and Region VI Teacher of the Year. Ms. Glenn expressed her passion for teaching and her commitment to mentoring future educators. She will begin a master's program in educational leadership at Texas A&M University in Fall 2025. Ms. Tami Glenn attributes her success in teaching to the strong foundation that she has received as a student at Blinn.
Announcements
Presented by Dr. Jimmy Byrd, Executive Dean of the Bryan Campus
Dr. Byrd will confirm and communicate the date of the next Advisory Committee meeting.
With no other business, the meeting was adjourned by Mr. Kenny Lawson at 1:35 p.m.