Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees Meeting

Wilkesboro, N.C. – The Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, February 5, 2026. At the John A. Walker Center, conducting regular business and receiving updates that highlighted the college’s continued growth, student success, and community impact.

Board Chair Jay Vannoy called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m. 

President’s Report

WCC President Mike Rodgers shared a comprehensive report with the board, highlighting several key achievements.

• Excellence in Teaching Award: Bryan Hartzog was recognized as Wilkes Community College’s 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. Hartzog was recognized for his innovative, hands-on instruction in advanced manufacturing, including nationally recognized student achievements and a widely noted community service project involving students creating a 3D-printed prosthetic leg for Mille, a rescued goat.
• Staff Member of the Year Award: Cody Wingler was named the college’s 2025 Staff Member of the Year for his outstanding contributions to information technology, operational support, and service to students and colleagues.
• Enrollment Update: As of January 16, 2026, Wilkes Community College reported its highest Spring curriculum headcount since 2014, reflecting continued enrollment growth across multiple student populations.
• Workforce and Healthcare Partnerships: The board received updates on possibilities of expanding healthcare education collaborations with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and Surry Community College. 

GE Aerospace Customized Training Project #5, a $1.1 million initiative supporting workforce expansion and training over three years has been approved.

• Grants: Trustees were informed that since July 2025, the college has secured $186,783 in grant funding supporting SkillsUSA, CCP programming for high school students, five student loaner laptops for students impacted by Hurricane Helene, workforce programs, and cybersecurity tools.
• Emergency Medical Services Accreditation: An accreditation site visit was conducted by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Services Professions (CoAEMSP) in January 2026. The review affirmed the program’s quality and outlined corrective actions related to documentation and oversight, all of which the college has begun addressing. The site visit confirmed that the EMS program is strong, stable, and well-positioned for initial accreditation.
• Additional Highlights: 
• Pizza with the President; a time for students to engage with the college president and college leadership has been held at three locations and the Ashe Campus visit has been rescheduled due to weather impacts
• WCC awarded the Best of Ashe Award for three consecutive years
• The implementation of Element 451, the college’s new Customer Relations Management software program; including the release of “Wilkie” the new WCC Chatbot.

• Trustees unanimously approved President Rodgers’ request to sign a letter of intent for Wilkes Community College to participate in Phase 1 of the Good Jobs Initiative supported by the John M. Belk Endowment and the North Carolina Community College System Office.
• The board granted the Building and Grounds Committee authority to approve the contractor for an energy savings performance contract.
• The board authorized negotiations with the North Carolina Department of Transportation regarding a right-of-way and temporary easement in front of Herring Hall.

Financial and Personnel Updates

• CFO Morgan Francis presented the State Variance Report as of December 31, 2025, with no questions from trustees.
• Dr. Rodgers discussed an audit that was conducted by the NCOSA for the use of Hurricane Helene Mental Health Funds. WCC was questioned for three instances. A response letter has been sent to the auditor.

Capital Project Updates

• Cinderella Partners, Inc from Indian Trail, NC provided the lowest bid for the Dental Hygiene Renovation Project in the amount of $438,966.25 (including alternates). WCC is waiting on State Construction to finalize the construction contract. Work on the project is expected to begin in March 2026.
• The Emergency Services Driving Pad project is completed except for some ponding that will be addressed as weather conditions allow.
• Hayes Hall HVAC Replacement Project is complete except for making the final connections to the building automation software.
• The Daniel Hall Welding Lab Renovation Project is completed. Welding students will be building the welding booths as part of their labs during spring semester and classes will be held there beginning summer 2026.
• Watson Command Center Storm Drain Repair Project is awaiting completion of project design and approval by State Construction, with work expected to begin in late summer.
• The Masonry Lab Building project was completed in December. The building was funded by Lowe’s Gable Grant. 
• Student Support/ Counseling Center Renovation project was completed in December. 

WCC Foundation Updates

• The 2025-26 Annual Fund Drive has currently raised $60,000+ This reflects the strong commitment of WCC’s faculty, staff, boards, and community to the mission of Wilkes Community College.
• MerleFest 2026 will be held April 23-26, 2026. WCC is excited for another amazing MerleFest!
• Scholarship Gala will be held February 14, 2026. Monies raised support the Career and College Promise (CCP) program, helping remove financial barriers for local high school students pursing college credentials.

Walker Center Shows

Upcoming Walker Center performances were announced.

• Friday March 20, 2026, Wilson Fairchild, Statler Made will perform a salute to the Statler Brothers, as they are both sons from the dynamic country group. 
• Saturday, May 30, 2026, Are you Ready for It? The Taylor Experience. This show was nominated for the Josie Music Awards Tribute Artist of the Year 2024. 
• Friday, June 12, 2026, the DOO Wop Project, Old School, New Generation, DOOwop-ified versions of contemporary songs by artists like Taylor Swift, Pharell Williams, Daft Puck, and Chris Stapleton.
• WCC is thrilled to share these shows with the community and cannot wait to see you there!

Meeting Conclusion

Following a closed session held in accordance with state law, the board reconvened in open session and announced that the next regular meeting will be held on April 9, 2026, at the John A. Walker Center. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

About Wilkes Community College

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC has a proud history of meeting the educational, cultural, and workforce needs of our community. As we look to the future, Wilkes Community College provides programs, resources, and services that create quality educational, economic development, and cultural opportunities. WCC aspires to be an effective, learner-centered institution and a dynamic learning organization, preparing students for success in a changing world.