Staff to the Board: Jim Wohlpart, President Patrick Pease, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Joel Klucking, Board Treasurer and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Veronica Gomez-Vilchis, Interim Vice President for Student Engagement and Success Dania Cochran, Board Secretary and Chief of Staff Ellen Evans, Assistant Attorney General Kim Dawson, Executive Assistant to the President/Board of Trustees Executive Staff: Tishra Beeson, Dean of Undergraduates Studies Ruben Cardenas, Associate Vice President, Student Engagement and Success Hung Dang, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management Elvin Delgado, Associate Vice President, Faculty Success Paul Elstone, Vice President, University Advancement Rodrigo Renteria-Valencia, Dean of Graduate Education, Research, and Strategic Initiatives Call to Order Chair Hensler called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. He summarized discussions from the board meeting and the meeting with the deans on May 21. Chair Hensler reiterated that the board would like to move forward with exploring the options for three-year degrees. Chair Hensler and Chair Elect Gillis had a great conversation with Deans about what this could look like, including the idea of a pilot program which would be important. Professor Lindsey reported that three-year degree options will be handled during the fall quarter. Chair Hensler asked that this conversation continue to move forward. He charged the BOT Academic Affairs Committee with bringing up a conversation about three-year degrees with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to make sure we are moving this forward and trying to create a framework for a pilot program. He added that this is not a commitment as an institution, but he asks that it be a consideration for the institution. President’s Report President Wohlpart explained that in preparation for the fall visit from our accrediting body, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, he would like to know what our vision means to board members. Trustee Hensler stated that the vision is a very important document, and we spent a lot of time developing it, but he also thinks there is a little bit of ambiguity around what a model learning community is. He would like to see a clear definition and understanding and have the campus community define what a model learning community is. Trustee Nellams stated that the most important thing to him is access and opportunity. When he reads the vision statement, the important draw to him is access and opportunity. President Wohlpart explained that the original statement was “model community of access and opportunity,” and Trustee Black suggested adding “learning.” President Wohlpart added that the learning piece is about us investigating beliefs, values, practices, structures, and systems. We all struggle with how to do that, so this discussion is helpful.
12 Board of Trustees Minutes May 21-22, 2026
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