College Board Meeting Minutes [DRAFT]

  • 12 March 2026
J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD MEETING

March 12, 2026
DRAFT Minutes No. 422

The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Board convened at 4:04 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, virtually via Zoom.

Board Members Present:

  • Mr. Peter Blake, City of Richmond
  • Dr. Barbara Brown, Powhatan County
  • Mr. Bo Bundrick, County of Louisa
  • Mr. Joseph C. Chaudhari, City of Richmond
  • Dr. Brenda J. Drew, City of Richmond
  • Mrs. Allison M. Feinmel, Henrico County
  • Mr. Jeffrie L. Hedrick, Henrico County
  • Mr. Paul Logan, City of Richmond entered at 4:12 pm
  • Mr. Owen M. Matthews, Hanover County
  • Mrs. Anne McDougall, Hanover County
  • Mr. C. Michael Newman, Goochland County
  • Mrs. Monica L. Smith-Callahan, Henrico County
  • Mrs. Mary L. Studevant, Henrico County
  • Dr. Paula Pando, President

Board Members Absent:

  • Dr. Emmy Smith Ready, City of Richmond
  • Dr. Rajendra Dubey, Henrico County

Staff Present:

  • Ms. Amy Bradshaw
  • Ms. Ann Bushey
  • Ms. Elizabeth Creamer
  • Dr. Lori Dwyer
  • Dr. Jennifer Mezquita-Macaia
  • Ms. Lindsay Robinson
  • Mr. Sean Terrell

CALL TO ORDER

Owen Matthews called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL

Chair Matthews affirmed that a quorum was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No Comment.

BOARD CHAIR'S REPORT

Chair Owen Matthews welcomed the board and shared details of the Executive Committee’s meeting with the Faculty Senate, Executive Cabinet and Student Government. Chair Matthews shared the overwhelming theme was students were top of mind.

MINUTES

Chair Matthews asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Minutes of the January 8, 2026 meeting.

Mrs. Mary Studevant made a motion to approve the January 8, 2026 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Mr. Michael Newman seconded the Motion. The Board approved the January 8, 2026, College Board Minutes. The motion carried 12-0-0.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Dr. Pando welcomed the board and presented the following:

  • Spring Enrollment Goals
  • Fall to Spring Enrollment Up
  • CCWA and short-term credentials
  • College In-Service featuring Dr. DeRionne Pollard
  • Voices of Impact – Dr. Amy Bosley and Dr. Steve Robinson
  • VA Cener for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Steering Committee
  • Unlocking Opportunity Core Team
  • ATD DREAM 2026
  • ATD Leader College
  • Advocacy
  • STEMFEST
  • Financial Opportunity Center Opening
  • Black History Month Homage
  • VCU LifeEvac Training Event
  • Thank you

Following her report Dr. Pando answered questions from the board.

Chair Matthews congratulated Dr. Pando on programming and the recognition as an ATD Leader College. Chair Matthews commented on seeing the retention rate for spring climb to nearly 82% from 75.5% last year. The Chair commended the college's ability to achieve this benchmark, particularly as it was a specific call-out by Dr. Pando at the last Board meeting.

Mr. Peter Blake shared his experience attending the spring In-Service and very much enjoyed Dr. Pollard’s presentation. The In-Service was attended by fellow board member, Dr. Brenda Drew and the VCCS Chancellor, Dr. David Doré.

FEATURED PRESENTATION

Dr. Lori Dwyer and Mr. Sean Terrell, leading the work of the college, provided an update on the Aspen Unlocking Opportunity Network. The college is now working on Community College 3.0 analyzing post-college Success.

STAFF REPORTS

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Report posted to Boarddocs.

VICE PRESIDENT OF CCWA REPORT

Report posted to Boarddocs.

VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

No Report.

VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT REPORT

Report posted to Boarddocs.

Ms. Robinson reported that giving is going well and they are in Campaign mode. Give Day is scheduled for April 23 and would ask the board to support and promote the event.

VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

No Report.

Dr. Mezquita-Macaia reported that advising refuel is the focus right now. The team will be reframing the advising model and will look to leverage the data and faculty advisors.

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH, PLANNING AND GRANTS

No Report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ACADEMIC, STUDENT AFFAIRS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

No Items.

FINANCE & FACILITIES COMMITTEE

Mr. Jeff Hedrick, Committee Chair, reported there are no action items. Mr. Hedrick reviewed the Information Items presented and thanked the Reynolds’ staff for their excellent work in maintaining the educational facilities for our students.

Chair Matthews reminded College Board Members of their role on the board is to advocate for locality funding from the jurisdiction they represent.

CLOSED SESSION - PERSONNEL

At 5:39 p.m. Mrs. Allison Feinmel moved: “Mr. Chair, in accordance with section 2.2-3711(a) (1) of the Code of Virginia, I move that the board convene in closed session to discuss “personnel matters” relating to Reynolds Community College”. Mr. Bo Bundrick seconded the motion.

BOARD MEMBERS LOCALITY YES NO
Mr. Peter Blake Richmond x
Dr. Barbara Brown Powhatan x
Mr. Bo Bundrick Louisa x
Mr. Joseph C. Chaudhari Richmond x
Dr. Brenda Drew Richmond x
Dr. Rajendra Dubey (not present) Henrico x
Mrs. Allison Feinmel Henrico x
Mr. Jeffrie L. Hedrick Henrico x
Mr. Paul Logan Richmond x
Mr. Owen Matthews Hanover x
Mrs. Anne McDougall Hanover x
Mr. C. Michael Newman Goochland x
Dr. Emmy Smith Ready (not present) Richmond x
Mrs. Mary Studevant Henrico x

At 5:55 p.m. Mrs. Feinmel moved: “The board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has concluded its closed session and is hereby in open session. I will now take a roll call vote that will be included in the minutes certifying that to the best of each member’s knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Freedom of Information Act and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed, or considered in the meeting by the College Board.”

For the Roll Call please respond “Yes” or “No” if you agree that only “Personnel Matters” relating to Reynolds were discussed in closed session:

BOARD MEMBERS LOCALITY YES NO
Mr. Peter Blake Richmond x
Dr. Barbara Brown Powhatan x
Mr. Bo Bundrick Louisa x
Mr. Joseph C. Chaudhari Richmond x
Dr. Brenda Drew Richmond x
Dr. Rajendra Dubey (not present) Henrico
Mrs. Allison Feinmel Henrico x
Mr. Jeffrie L. Hedrick Henrico x
Mr. Paul Logan Richmond x
Mr. Owen Matthews Hanover x
Mrs. Anne McDougall Hanover x
Mr. C. Michael Newman Goochland x
Dr. Emmy Smith Ready (not present) Richmond
Mrs. Mary Studevant Henrico x

Ms. Feinmel reported: for the record, all present College Board Members confirm only personnel matters of Reynolds were discussed in Closed Session.” All board members voted “Yes” confirming only Personnel Matters were discussed.

There being no further business, Dr. Barbara Brown made a motion to adjourn, and Mr. Michael Newman seconded the motion. THE J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD ADJOURNED at 5:57 pm.

____________________________________
Paula P. Pando, Secretary

____________________________________
Owen M. Matthews, Chair