The Galveston Community College District Board of Regents on Wednesday formed a nominating committee to make recommendations to the board to fill the unexpired term of longtime Regent Carl Kelly, who died unexpectedly July 31.

Board of Regents Chair Karen F. Flowers appointed a nominating committee comprised of Board of Regents Vice Chair Fred D. Raschke, who will chair the committee, past Board of Regents Chair Raymond Lewis, Jr. and Regent Mary R. Longoria.

The term, which expires in May 2022, is Position 8 on the board.

The college will accept letters of interest for two weeks, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19, and ending on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m. Letters of interest should be submitted to the Office of the President in person or at [email protected].

Following a review of the letters of interest on Feb. 17, the nominating committee will select a small group of candidates for interviews on Feb. 24 and further consideration by the full board. It is anticipated that a decision will be made at the March 10 board meeting.

In other business at the meeting, board members heard a report on a student technology survey from Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research Carmen Allen.

During the fall 2020 semester, Galveston College conducted an online survey to gather information about students’ ownership, use patterns and expectations as they relate to technology and the academic experience.

“Eighty-eight percent of the students who responded to the survey reported having access to the internet five or more days a week, on average,” Allen said. “Ninety-four percent were able to access the internet from home. More than 90 percent of students with home internet access described it as being at least moderately strong and reliable. Ninety percent of students used a laptop for at least one class in fall 2020.”

When asked to rank various learning environments in order of preference, Allen said 60 percent of students preferred either totally or mostly face-to-face classes.

The survey also addressed issues related to technology challenges during the fall semester.

“Seventy percent of students experienced at least one technological issue that presented a challenge to their online learning experience in fall 2020, and 40 percent experienced multiple issues,” Allen said.

In other business, board members

  • approved the promotion of Dr. Arlinda Washington from associate professor to professor of Nursing.
  • ratified the appointment of full-time faculty members Melissa Gauna, instructor of Healthcare Management, Dr. Alex-Giovanny Peniche-Trujillo, instructor of Biology, and John Ryland, instructor/program director of Logistics.
  • heard a legislative update and college calendar report from President Myles Shelton. The spring 2021 lecture series will be conducted virtually.
  • heard updates from Janene Davison, president of the Galveston College Faculty Senate, and Liz Lacy, program coordinator for the performing arts.
  • heard a Student Government Association update from Maia Adolphs, SGA president.
  • approved a proposal to offer Continuing Education Level 1 certificates in Automotive Diesel Technology and Massage Therapy.
  • ratified acceptance of a $750,000 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Texas Reskilling Support Fund grant award from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.
  • approved a proposal for a website content management system from OmniUpdate.
  • accepted the fiscal year 2020-21 first quarter investment report.
  • reviewed the monthly financial reports presented by Jeff Engbrock, chief financial officer/comptroller.