Hill College Board of Regents holds August monthly meeting
Ashlee Ferguson
Friday, September 12, 2025 3:06 PM
Enrollment Management
Hillsboro, TX
On August 19, 2025, the Hill College Board of Regents met for the monthly regular session meeting.
The minutes from the July meeting were approved. Vice President of Administrative Services Melissa Boyle presented the financial report; the motion was approved.
Hill College President Dr. Thomas Mills presented his report, including All Staff Day, which was held on August 15 to welcome back faculty and staff, as well as a review of ongoing and completed deferred maintenance projects. Projects include renovations of the Bailey Residence Hall flooring at the Hill County Campus (HCC) as well as updates to the HCC residence hall lobbies and new furniture for the Student Center. Renovations were completed for the Johnson County Campus (JCC) parking lot for the CDL Program and the roads and parking lot for the softball and baseball fields at HCC as well as the flooring at the HCC Fire Academy. The Dudley Automotive Building at the Cleburne Technical Center (CTC) was painted and over 1,500 feet of the sewer line at HCC was replaced. Updates were also made to the JCC nursing echocardiology facilities. Dr. Mills thanked Physical Plant Director Matt Southard for his dedication and attention to these projects among others.
An update on legislative changes was presented. The impacts of House Bills SB 1786/HB 8, SB37, and SB 2615 were all discussed.
House Bills SB 1786 and HB 8 (SB 1786 is a bill that builds on HB 8, which is why they are referenced jointly) address performance funding and state funding for degree programs. Under SB 1786/HB 8, the state approved a total of $895 million in funding for colleges for FY 2025 shortfalls, of which the college received $2 million for the 2025–2026 academic year. The bill also allows for funding for education programs geared toward industries in need such as education and healthcare. In addition, the bill also provides that the college receives funding for students who have completed at least 15 credit hours who transfer to a private or independent higher-education institution, including dual credit students.
House Bill 37 relates to a new governing system over required curriculum. Under the bill, core curriculum hours are to be reviewed every five years with a requisite that annual updates be provided to the state. The bill requires that institutions establish governing boards that report to the state oversight committee. Under the bill, some associate degrees no longer qualify for state funding.
House Bill SB 2615 establishes state rules for tele/remote work. This bill allows instructors who solely teach online courses to work remotely. In addition, non-teaching positions may work remotely if they meet the defined criteria. Other considerations for the ability for employees to work remotely include medical conditions that align with teleworking as well as catastrophic exceptions, such as COVID-19.
For more information on state passed bills that affect higher education institutions, visit capitol.texas.gov.
Vice President of Student Experience Lizza Ross reported on enrollment; future enrollment reports will be primarily based on eight-week enrollment numbers rather than semester/16-week numbers.
Executive Director of Information Technology & Learning Innovation Kevin Rocha gave an update on IT infrastructure and cybersecurity firewalls. Ninety-eight percent of all infrastructure has been replaced including an added 300 wireless access points to allow for greater Wi-Fi access for students, staff, and faculty. Funding was provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Learning Environment and Academic Research Network (LEARN).
Updated cybersecurity software has allowed the college to respond quicker to cyber threats, over 1,600 intrusion attempts have been blocked; nearly 450,000 botnets blocked, and 1.2 million SPAM attempts blocked.
Dr. Mills and Vice President Boyle gave a review of the proposed FY2025–2026 budget, which included a report on increased state performance and base tier funding. A line item for increased museum funding was included. Tax revenue increased from property values. A budget item was included for a consultant for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC) to review and confer on accreditation requirements. The college also budgeted for several new positions, including assistant vice president of learning & student success, a college readiness instructor, and a fire protection instructor. In addition, Executive Director Rocha has been promoted, with board approval, to vice president of IT & learning innovation/CIO. Other base staff raises and compensations were also presented and approved.
Athletic Director & Dean of Students Randy Graves presented the athletics report. He reported that student athletes were continuing to check in for the year. Soccer and volleyball seasons are underway. Cross country, rodeo, baseball, and softball all start in September. Graves also announced that both the men’s soccer team and the volleyball team were recipients of the NJAAC all-academic team awards with a cumulative GPA of over 3.0. In addition, 38 Hill College student athletes received all-academic awards.
Executive Director Rocha presented an update on esports. The program has a full roster for the 2025–2026 academic year. Rocha and his team are continuing to work on recruiting by expanding relationships with partner high schools. Rocha and Esports Coordinator Roy Escobedo both attended the National Association of Collegiate Esports conference in Dallas, Texas, this July.
Executive Director of Human Resources Tamy Rogers presented personnel considerations, including the announcement of the fulfillment of the position of chief of staff at the college, which has been filled by Lyndsey Pederson. The chief of staff will oversee strategic work based around the college’s four pillars of excellence, personnel and campus development, as well as serve as a liaison to the Board of Regents. A formal release will be sent out about Pederson and her position and responsibilities. The motion was approved.
Vice President Boyle presented the board with considerations of approval for the proposed 2025 tax rate and bids for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) insurance coverage.
A motion was made to propose a voter-approval tax rate of $0.083223; the motion passed with a public hearing scheduled for the next board meeting on September 16, 2025.
A bid for the TASB insurance coverage was proposed at an amount of $416,515. The motion was approved with a recommendation that the college explore additional insurance for cyber-attacks.
A consideration of approval for a clinical site agreement with Mobile Healthcare First, based out of Waco, Texas, for vocational nursing students was presented by Dr. Mills in place of Vice President of Student Learning & Success Irene Accomando, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Vice President Boyle presented two additional considerations of approval for the annual review of the college’s investment policy as well as an approval for the update of bank signers through Citizens State Bank and First National Bank of Central Texas. No changes were made to the investment policy for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Both motions were approved.
Vice President Ross presented a consideration of approval for the college’s 2025–2026 Emergency Operation Plan, which outlines the college’s strategic plan for unexpected emergencies that may occur throughout the academic year. Following state guidelines that cover 38 evaluation areas, the college reviews these guidelines annually to best serve and protect the students, staff, and faculty of Hill College. The motion was approved.
The board then broke for an executive session to discuss real property in Cleburne and Hillsboro under Texas Government Code Section 551.072 as well as security infrastructure under Code Section 551.089, and, finally, board self-evaluations under Code Section 551.074.
Members present: Karen Brackin, Kent Eubank, Bill Galiga, Jolene Lehmann, Dwight Lloyd, Tony Marley, Jennifer Nowlin, Kevin Ray, Bill Siddons III, Rick Sullins, and David Teel
Members absent: Guy James (ex officio) and Allan Lane
The Hill College Board of Regents meets the third Tuesday of every month.