Hill College Board of Regents holds September monthly meeting
Ashlee Ferguson
Thursday, November 20, 2025 8:24 AM
Enrollment Management
Hillsboro, TX
On September 16, 2025, the Hill College Board of Regents met for the monthly regular session meeting.
The minutes from the August 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 a report on leadership involvement in several initiatives.
Vice President of Student Learning & Success Irene Accomando was selected to serve on the General Education Curriculum Working Group as a response to House Bill 37 (HB 37), which was recently implemented to oversee state required curriculum. The bill requires that higher-education institutions establish governing boards that report to the state oversight committee to annually review the core curriculum and recommend courses to cut. It also instructs the committee to judge courses on their ability to prepare students for civic and professional life. Fourteen representatives were chosen from two and four-year institutions in the region.
Both Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Ashlee Ferguson and Vice President of Student Experience Lizza Ross attended the Trellis Strategies and Trellis Foundation Meeting in Austin, Texas. The two-day event was designed to bring leaders in higher education, policy stakeholders, and nonprofit partners for an open discussion on how today’s students navigate college and how institutions of higher education can better support them.
Dr. Mills also presented a federal grant opportunity—the Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental grant funded through the Economic Development Association (EDA). Under the proposal, the college would apply for a grant through the implementation path which allows funding for disaster recovery, growth, and improving economic outcomes for the community, including funds for construction and non-construction projects. If awarded, grant monies would go toward the construction of facilities for modern workforce development and public safety training to address critical labor and emergency needs in the community. Programs that would primarily benefit are the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, heavy haul, diesel mechanics, and expansion of the police, fire, and EMS programs.
Finally, the president presented a proposal for a new soccer facility at the Hill County Campus (HCC). The proposal included a full schematic of a state-of-the-art facility with a synthetic turf field, covered bench areas, a press box and scoreboard, as well as a VIP suite, coaches' offices, and concessions. The proposed facility would be located behind the baseball field. The initiative would put Hill College on the map as a premier collegiate soccer facility, attracting both college and high school teams. In addition, the facility would expand athletic recruiting opportunities, add to the culture of campus life, and set the standard for future facilities at the college in alignment with the mission to create a beacon of excellence in both academics and athletics.
Athletic Director & Dean of Students Randy Graves presented the athletics report. Graves gave an update on fall sports, including rodeo, cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball. He announced that basketball, baseball, and softball would start scrimmaging in October.
Graves also gave an overview of the success of both the men’s and women’s soccer teams throughout the programs’ histories. Throughout the 35 years of the men’s soccer program, they have won six regular season championships, made 15 appearances in Region 5 Tournaments, won five Region 5 Tournament Championships, two District Championships, made three National Tournament appearances, and had two All-American athletes. In addition, the men’s teams have been named Academic All-Americans twice, with 39 individual awards.
Throughout the 32 years of the women’s soccer program, they have won 10 regular season championships, made 21 appearances in Region 5 Tournaments, won 13 Region 5 Tournament Championships, three District Championships, made five National Tournament appearances, and had 16 All-American athletes. In addition, the women’s teams have been named All-Americans twice, with 38 individual awards.
Executive Director of Information Technology & Learning Innovation Kevin Rocha gave an update esports. There are a total of 25 students in the program, and they are hoping for a strong season.
Executive Director of Human Resources Tamy Rogers presented personnel considerations. The motion was approved.
Vice President Boyle presented a consideration of approval to adopt the proposed voter-approval tax rate of $0.083223 mentioned in the August meeting. The motion was approved.
Dr. Mills presented two considerations of approvals. The first for acceptance of the 2026–2028 Academic Calendars. The second for approval of the clinical site with the Waco Family Medicine group. Both motions were approved.
The board then broke for an executive session to discuss board self-evaluations under Texas Government Code Section 551.074 as well as security infrastructure under Code Section 551.089, and, finally, board self-evaluations under Code Section 551.074.
The board returned to regular session and Mr. Siddons made a motion to approve the hybrid plan for security infrastructure. The motion was approved.
Members present: Karen Brackin, Bill Galiga, Jolene Lehmann, Tony Marley, Jennifer Nowlin, Bill Siddons III, and David Teel
Members absent: Kent Eubank, Guy James (ex officio), Allan Lane, Dwight Llyod, Kevin Ray, and Rick Sullins
The Hill College Board of Regents meets the third Tuesday of every month.