Hill College Board of Regents holds December monthly meeting
Ashlee Ferguson
Thursday, January 29, 2026 11:16 AM
General Events
Hillsboro, TX
On December 16, 2025, the Hill College Board of Regents met for the monthly regular session meeting.
Hill College President Dr. Thomas Mills presented a consideration of approval for the Consent Agenda Items, including the minutes from the November, the certified minutes of the November Executive Session, the approval of the Independent School District (ISD) memoranda of understanding (MOU) for the Holland, Jarrell, Midway, and Walnut Springs ISDs, and the approval of the faculty council bylaws. All motions were approved.
Vice President of Administrative Services Melissa Boyle presented the financial report; the motion was approved. The 2025 financial audit is on schedule to be submitted in January 2026; total revenue for the 2025 fiscal year is up by nearly five percent.
Dr. Mills presented his report to the board, including a program spotlight on the college’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program, renovations at the Johnson County Campus (JCC), a grant from the Department of Labor, details of the TRUE grant the college received in 2025, the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) annual conference, the renovations to the Fine Arts Building, and an update on the Capital Master Plan.
Director of Professional Nursing and ADN Program Coordinator Dr. Dawn Cox gave an overview of the ADN and Licensed Vocational Nursing programs. The nursing program at Hill College has maintained an above average pass rate of the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), which certifies students to enter the professional world of nursing. Over the last three years, graduates have exceeded both the state and national average pass rates. Student enrollment has also increased over the last few years.
In addition to a report on the program, Dr. Cox gave an update on the renovations for the nursing facility and new equipment at the Johnson County Campus (JCC). With the funds received from the National Shortage Reduction Program grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the college was able to complete renovations at the Margie Faye Wheat Kennon Health Science Building at JCC, including providing a student lounge area, updating classrooms, purchasing equipment for the skills lab, and provide clinical stipends for adjunct professors.
The program also received a Department of Labor grant allowing the college to hire program specialists and connecting job training to for-credit programs, which allows students to earn college credits by passing exams with existing knowledge from on-the-job experience.
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Ashlee Ferguson announced that the college was a recipient of a dual award for the Texas Reskilling Upskilling through Education (TRUE) grant through the THEBC in conjunction with Weatherford College in the amount of $800,000. The award was part of a total of $9.9 million in grant funds from the THEBC for higher education institutions across the state.
The funds from the grant will help launch the Partners Advancing Cybersecurity Training (PACT) Consortium. This joint initiative will create a short-term Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst program that prepares students for high-demand cybersecurity roles in less than six months and will assist students with internships, interviews, and hiring opportunities.
The consortium includes partnerships with industry leaders Scinary Cybersecurity and Blackswan Cybersecurity.
Dr. Mills gave an overview of the Executive Leadership Team’s (ELT) trip to the SACSCOC annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The college is coming up on its five-year accreditation review in 2026. In addition to Dr. Mills, ELT members Irene Benero, vice president of student learning & success; Lizza Ross, vice president of student experience; Melissa Boyle, vice president of administrative services; Kevin Rocha; vice president of information technology & innovation/CIO; and Sherry Davis, director of institutional effectiveness & analytics all attended, as well as Daniel Taylor, coordinator of institutional effectiveness.
Dr. Mills briefly discussed updates to the Fine Arts Building, including the temporary relocation for student classrooms/studios as well as relocations for esports and faculty. Quotes are expected to be presented at the next board meeting for the asbestos abatement and demolition.
Vice President Boyle gave a review of the Capital Master Plan for the board’s review. The goal of capital planning is to ensure that the institution’s physical infrastructure supports long-term quality education, operational effectiveness, and regional relevance. The board was asked to review several sections of the master plan, including the planning and execution overview, as well as the Hill County Campus (HCC), Johnson County Campus (JCC), and Cleburne Technical Center (CTC) master plans for 2024–2034. Board members were asked to provide feedback ahead of the January meeting.
Dr. Mills reviewed the proposal for initiating a wrestling program at Hill College, which was discussed at the November meeting. If pursued, a wrestling program would support enrollment and programming growth. Wrestling is the fastest growing intercollegiate team sport in the nation. More than 20,000 Texas high school students, both men and women, participate statewide. Currently there are no National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) wrestling programs in Texas.
The discussion was tabled until the January meeting so more information could be presented on what it would take to provide a practice area and locker room space for the program.
Dr. Mills also reviewed campus activity, including the Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) pinning ceremony on December 11, 2025; the annual holiday party for staff and faculty; as well as a recap of the college’s participation in the Hillsboro Christmas Parade.
He also gave a report on the first annual Holiday on the Hill, hosted by Dr. Mills and his wife, Yvonne, at the Hill County Campus (HCC) on December 12, 2025.
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Ashlee Ferguson gave an overview of the inaugural annual holiday movie night for students, which was held on December 3, 2025. It was the first time the college held a holiday movie night for students, and a tradition the college hopes to continue in the future.
Athletic Director & Dean of Students Randy Graves presented the athletics report, including an update on women’s basketball. Both softball and baseball will start again in January. The spring season for rodeo will start in February. Track will also resume in the spring. Volleyball is in offseason.
Graves also announced that men’s soccer player Luis Barreto earned Second Team All-American honors.
Board member Jennifer Nowlin brought to the board’s attention that former Hill College student and rodeo athlete Bryce Jensen competed at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo this year in bull riding.
The board took a short break to do a walk-through of the HCC Student Center and Gym for future discussions of potential updates and renovations to those areas.
Executive Director of Human Resources Tammy Rogers gave an update on personnel considerations, including the appointment of Dr. Joshua Tarbay as the new dean of health & public service and Priscilla Schubert as the assistant director of the Texas Heritage Museum. The motion was approved.
Vice President Boyle presented a consideration of approval for the proposed soccer facility with a bid from KYA for a total cost of $4,223,650. The motion was approved.
Dr. Mills presented a consideration of approval for the resignation of Regent Tony Marley. While the board expressed that Regent Marley will be missed, the motion was approved. Following the motion, Dr. Mills presented a consideration of approval for appointment of the vacant regency position. Regent Jennifer Nowlin made a motion to appoint Christy Bailey. The motion was passed.
The board then broke for executive session to discuss self-evaluations pursuant to Section 551.072 and to deliberate the potential sale of real property at Old Brandon Road in Hillsboro, Texas.
The board returned to regular session during which Mr. Lloyd made a motion to execute all necessary documentation pertaining to the potential sale of real property located on Old Brandon Road in Hillsboro, Texas. The motion was approved.
Members present: Karen Brackin, Kent Eubank, Bill Galiga, Dr. Allan Lane, Jolene Lehmann, Dwight Lloyd, Tony Marley, Jennifer Nowlin, Bill Siddons III, and Rick Sullins.
Members absent: Guy James (ex officio), Kevin Ray, and David Teel.
The Hill College Board of Regents meets the third Tuesday of every month.