Board hears about Criminal Justice program at Cowley College

Cowley College’s Board of Trustees had an opportunity to learn more about the school’s Criminal Justice program during the regularly scheduled monthly meeting held Monday in the McAtee Dining Center.

Led by Department Chair Frank Owens, the Criminal Justice program prepares students for a career in law enforcement and corrections. Career areas exist in many areas, such as local police departments and organizations, county and state police departments, corrections, environmental protection services, juvenile facilities, crime laboratories, courts and judicial offices, and community-based corrections.

Julie Rhoads, director of education, shared a Criminal Justice promotional video.

Students that have declared a major in Criminal Justice and meet qualification guidelines are eligible to be a Student Patrol Officer. For more information on the Criminal Justice program, contact 620-441-5285 or frank.owens@cowley.edu.

In other matters:

1. Dr. Schoon provided the Board with a College update. Dr. Schoon informed trustees of the “Did you Know” social media campaign designed to increase awareness of the College by sharing facts on enrollment and scholarships. She updated the Trustees on the enrollment initiative that waives online fees for summer classes. Gave a brief update on the summer projects involving renovations and office moves. Announced that the Wind Energy Technology program passed through the first round of the state approval process for new programs. Dr. Schoon also gave kudos to the Visual and Performing Arts department for a greatly attended alumni concert and also mentioned the centennial film produced by Cowley student Arnau Sagrera. Recent awards include the Bill and Judy Docking Faculty Achievement Award, given to Frank Owens, and the Ben LeClair Staff Excellence Award, given to Jody Arnett. Dr. Schoon ended with a follow-up on the spring athletic teams.
2. Jessica Lucas, government affairs liaison, provided a legislative update.
3. Debbie Phelps, executive director of institutional effectiveness (IE), provided the Board with an enrollment, recruitment, and retention update.
4. Julie Rhoads, CEA president, shared 2023-2024 CEA leadership introductions.
5. Dr. Steve Abrams provided the Board with a Trustee Finance Subcommittee update.
6. Gary Wilson provided the Board with a Trustee Policy Subcommittee update.
7. The Board held first readings on the following policies:
   1. Approved the Consent Agenda
   2. Board Minutes of the April 17 meeting.
   3. Approved the Financial Reports as presented.
   4. Bills and Claims. Approved fiscal officers of the College to execute payment of all bills and claims as presented.
   5. Administrative Reports.
   6. Board Policy Approvals.
   7. Personnel Transactions.
8. Held first readings on the following policies: (131.00) Reimbursement for Travel; (161.00) Requisition and Selection – Non-Faculty Personnel; (260.00) Transfer Coursework.
9. Holly Harper, vice president of finance and administration, provided the Board with a facilities maintenance update. The repairs to the Brown Center North Entryway are complete. Maintenance has started to remodel the new Wichita location with the intent to open the new location on June 26.
10. 10. Janice Stover, interim vice president of academic affairs, informed the Board that Amy McWhirt was recently appointed the Humanities and Communications Department Chair following the retirement of Marlys Cervantes.
11. Paul Erdmann, vice president of information technology, provided an update on projects the information technology staff has worked on over the past month.
12. Stefani Jones, director of student enrollment and success, provided an enrollment update.
13. Debbie Phelps, executive director of institutional effectiveness (IE), informed the Board that work has begun on the data for the College’s annual performance agreement.
14. Kristi Shaw, executive director of student services, provided an update on student life activities.
15. Rama Peroo, interim athletic director, informed the Board that the Tiger men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams recently repeated as conference champions for the first time since the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally as they prepare to compete at the Outdoor National Championships May 18-20 in Hobbs, NM. The Lady Tiger tennis team had a pair of individual national champion singles players and finished as the national runner-up at the national tournament in Tyler, TX. The second-place finish was the best in the program’s history. The Tiger men’s tennis team is ranked No. 1 and is currently playing for its first national title since 1991. The Lady Tiger softball team won 40 games and captured the conference title for the first time since 2018 before having its season come to an end with a loss in the District B title game. The Cowley College baseball team had its streak of conference titles snapped at five in a row but still had another successful season placing second in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division with a record of 23-9. The Tigers won the sub-regional over Pratt to advance to play at the Region VI Tournament May 17-19 at Wichita State University. Cowley is searching for a third straight appearance at the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, CO.
16. Julie Rhoads, faculty liaison, provided the Board with updates from several Cowley College instructors.
17. Approved the following policies: (134.00) Campus Conduct; (138.00) Political Activity.
18. Personnel Transactions: The Board was informed of the resignation of Gage Musson as Wellness Center Manager, effective May 3; Dr. Thomas Weaver as Biology instructor, effective May 31; The Board announced its intent to non-renew the contract of Brian Patterson ad Construction Trades instructor; The Board was informed of the employment of Jeremiah Brammer as public safety officer, effective May 8; Maya Damron as admissions assistant, effective May 22; Shawne Dimeo as financial aid specialist, effective June 1; and Amy Linder as Cosmetology instructor, effective August 1. Approved the employment of Jamie Hibbs as education instructor, effective August 1.
19. Approved advance payment of June and July salaries for 18 faculty members that have completed their contractual obligations at the end of the school year.
20. Approved the 2023-2024 price increase as presented for Fresh Ideas Dining Services.
21. The Board will hold a summer planning session on Thursday, July 27, from 2-5 p.m. in the Cowley College Education Center.
22. A special meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place on Friday, May 26, at noon to discuss window bids for the Winfield Allied Health Center.
23. The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Rama Peroo | Director of Institutional Communication
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
rama.peroo@cowley.edu