College Board Meeting Minutes [DRAFT]

The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Board convened at 4:14 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Reynolds Community College Parham Road Campus in the Workforce Development Conference Center Gallery.

Board Members Present:

• Dr. Jada E. Brooks, Henrico County
• Mr. Bo Bundrick, County of Louisa
• Dr. Brenda J. Drew, City of Richmond
• Dr. Rajendra Dubey, Henrico County
• Mrs. Allison M. Feinmel, Henrico County
• Mr. Jeffrie L. Hedrick, Henrico County
• Mr. Paul Logan, City of Richmond
• Mr. Owen M. Matthews, Hanover County
• Dr. Emmy Smith Ready, City of Richmond (excused at 5:15 p.m.)
• Melissa Reynold, Hanover County
• Dr. Melissa C. Rhoten, Powhatan County
• Mrs. Monica L. Smith-Callahan, Henrico County
• Dr. Paula Pando, President

Board Members Absent:

• Mr. C. Michael Newman, Goochland County

Staff Present:

• Ms. Amy Bradshaw via Zoom
• Ms. Ann Bushey
• Ms. Elizabeth Creamer
• Dr. Lori Dwyer via Zoom
• Dr. Gabriel Olmstead
• Ms. Jami Peoples
• Ms. Lindsay Robinson
• Mr. John Smith
• 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 began his comments with good news. Mr. Matthews shared the college is off to a fantastic start with students back on campus. Mr. Matthews reported as board chair he was invited to attend the Chancellor’s Retreat along with the other 22 VCCS colleges. Mr. Matthews shared that during the retreat he was so proud of Reynolds Community College and the administration. Mr. Matthews then presented the following slides from the retreat:

• Where is the VA College System going
• What do our students expect
• What is the future of Community College Leadership

Mr. Matthews next led the board through introductions and then congratulated Dr. Pando on another exemplary recognition she will be receiving on September 25 as the 2026 Liderazgo Visionario Award winner from the National Community College Hispanic Council.

MINUTES

Chair Matthews asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Minutes of the June 11, 2026, meeting.

Mr. Bo Bundrick made a motion to approve the June 11, 2026, Meeting Minutes as submitted. Dr. Brenda Drew seconded the Motion. The Board approved the June 11, 2026, College Board Minutes. The motion carried 13-0-0.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Dr. Pando welcomed the board and presented the following:

• Welcome new college board members
• Enrollment – Continues to soar with fall 2025 up 8%, spring 2026 up 8%, and summer 2026 up 6%
• Tutoring and Library Central – Grand Opening
• The Nest Update – beautiful spaces for our students
• APM Tech Hub Roundtable with Senator Warner
• Chancellor’s Retreat – What does one system look like
• Reynolds was one of two colleges featured on our work and the use of data
• $3.3M award for Healthcare Expansion
• Summer Bridge Program – 3rd Year – All students who participated are registered for classes
• The College Project - working with student life towards a 5-star program
• Aspen Site Visit with Leadership of the Aspen Institute – the college will be featured in the Aspen Workforce Playbook
• Unlocking Opportunity – Reynolds was one of 55 community colleges selected and one of 15 colleges participating in a program in Dallas for advanced coaching and supports
• YMCA Partnership – working with YMCA to solve a problem for parenting students with after-school care with a soft launch in January 2027
• Partnership with GRASP - funding two full-time advisors with 54 RPS students in the program
• LIFT – New Employee Engagement Initiative
• ICAT is Coming – College Board invited to participate – informs the college’s strategic priorities and direction
• Thank you!

Following her report Dr. Pando answered questions from the board on AI, monetizing facilities and students enrolled in summer courses.

STAFF REPORTS

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Report posted to BoardDocs.

VICE PRESIDENT OF CCWA REPORT

Report posted to BoardDocs.

Mr. Matthews asked Ms. Creamer to share some of the exciting news on the FastForward funding received by Reynolds to continue the work in the medical career prep space. Mr. Matthews also shared his appreciation for the college’s preparation to move these programs forward.

VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

No Report.

VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT REPORT

Report posted to BoardDocs.

VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Report posted to BoardDocs.

VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY

Report posted to BoardDocs.

Executive Cabinet then took questions on reports submitted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ACADEMIC, STUDENT AFFAIRS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Mr. Bo Bundrick reported there are no action items or reports for this meeting.

FINANCE & FACILITIES COMMITTEE

Mr. Jeffrie Hedrick reported no action items but provided an overview of information items included in BoardDocs.

BOARD OPERATIONS & PLANNING COMMITTEE

Mrs. Allison Feinmel asked for board approval as the Code of Virginia requires that the board annually adopt a policy for all-virtual meetings and remote participation.

Action Item:

Ms. Monica Smith-Callahan made a motion for approval of all-virtual meetings and remote participation as set by the Code of Virginia and listed in The College Board Manual under Section 3 Code K. Dr. Rajendra Dubey seconded the motion. The board approved all-virtual meetings and remote participation as set by the Code of Virginia and listed in The College Board Manual under Section 3 Code K.

The motion carried 12-0-0.

Dr. Pando announced the All-College In-Service Day will be held on Tuesday, September 29 and invited College Board members to attend. Mrs. Ann Bushey will send an email to the board with details.

Mr. Bo Bundrick made a motion for adjournment and Mrs. Allison Feinmel seconded the motion. There being no further business “THE J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD ADJOURNED” at 5:39 p.m.

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Paula P. Pando, Secretary

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Owen Matthews, Chair