TORRINGTON – Following a work session that included discussions on workforce development as well as preparations for the 2020 accreditation, the Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees settled in for a short evening that held some exciting news regarding enrollment.
The big news of the evening was the first day enrollment presented by Roger Humphrey, Acting Vice President for Academic Services.
He reported a first day enrollment increase for the Spring Semester of 23 percent over 2017, or 144 students. Total enrollment on the Torrington campus, as well as outreach areas, was 780. First day enrollment in 2017 was 636.
The number of credit hours increased by 1,958. Credit hours in 2017 were 5,889, compared to the 7,847 in 2018.
Humphrey credits a team effort across the campus for encouraging follow-up, advertising and emphasis on outreach, and working with service area school districts for the improvement.
He explained the drop in some locations was due in part to reduced numbers of local representatives in outreach areas because of cuts in state financing. He reported plans are underway for Fall 2018 advising and registration that will begin in April, including concurrent offerings.
In other action, the board ratified the retirement notification of Dr. Rex Cogdill, Vice President for Student Services for the past 10 years, as well a personal services contract with Dr. Darrell Wilkes, who will provide Career and Technical Education consulting from January through May 2018.  He also will submit suggestions that maximize the college’s planned integration and utilization of the projected Agricultural Technology Education Center facility.

The board also approved the reappointment of Roger Humphrey as Vice President for Academic Services for FY 2019, and were introduced to new employees, Dr. Shane Stone, Criminal Justice instructor, and Rebekah Wells, Residence Life Coordinator.
They also received updates on Staff Alliance activities, construction projects, the faculty senate and human resources.
John Hansen, Director of Institutional Development, explained progress on several projects. He reported that donations from area businesses for the ATEC have increased from $10.4 million in October 2016 to the current $13.4 million.
He also advised the board that property donations began at $294,943 in 2016, and now stand at $733,055. This includes some ranchettes at Cheyenne, valued at $182,000.
Among other projects on his list is a Community Wellness Coalition that was born from an effort to improve care and community services for dementia patients. It now includes possible opioid addiction services, and other wellness issues.
Hansen also reminded those present of the annual fund raiser Sagebrush and Roses event on Jan. 27 at the Rendezvous Center. Proceeds benefit the EWC agriculture programs as well as the livestock judging team.
The board adjourned to a lengthy executive session regarding personnel, after which, no action was taken.

Work Session Brief
The work session included an update from Ashley Harpstreith, CEO, Goshen County Economic Development Corporation, and Wally Wolski, a member of the ENDOW (Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming) committee, established in 2017 by Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead to chart a new course for Wyoming’s economy.
They encouraged the board and the college to be more aggressive in promoting workforce development, because the Agricultural Technology Education Center and the Career and Technical Education Center will be among the job training opportunities for EWC students and residents in surrounding communities.
The board also heard an update on Higher Learning Accreditation 2020 preparations for an on-site visitation during the 2020-21 academic year. It will be the next goal in a 10-year cycle, moving toward the 2020 conclusion.
According to Humphrey, the Open Pathway Overview seeks to enhance institutional value, reduce the reporting burden on institutions using existing institutional processes, annual checks on institutional data, conducting Assurance Reviews twice in the 10-year cycle, and to integrate as much as possible all HLC processes and HLC requests for data into the re-affirmation of accreditation cycle.
A college-wide HCL Steering Committee will be created this year to lead the process. All segments of the college will be involved, including a representative of the Board of Trustees.