NTCC to offer new degree plans

The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting on Feb. 23. All members were present, except Dr. Dan P. McCauley, DDS.

Following the President’s Report and Items of Information, the board prepared for items to be discussed or on which formal action would be taken, beginning with the Consent Agenda Items, which were approved, with the knowledge that items three, four and five, pertaining to the Joint Election Agreement, would be cancelled.

Following approval of the monthly financials, the board heard a proposal from Dr. Ron Clinton to add a new Associate of Applied Science Degree in Occupational Therapist Assistant. Dr. Clinton informed the board that this degree, if approved, would be added in the spring of 2017. Dr. Clinton also made the board aware that the degree would also be contingent on the school receiving a grant to help defray the startup costs. Dr. Shannon Cox- Kelly, Dean of Health Sciences, stated that this is a very expensive program to start up, and if the college did not receive the grant for start-up costs, they would not begin the program. Dr. Kelly assured the board that they already had clinical location set up for the AAS OTA degree, and that the addition of the program would allow them to enroll more students who currently are on a waiting list for the Physical Therapist degree plan. A motion was made, and the board approved the proposal unanimously, contingent on the school receiving the start-up grant.

Dr. Kelly introduced a second proposal to add a new Associate of Applied Science Degree in Community Health. This degree would be in partnership with Texas A&MCommerce. Dr. Kelly explained that students would receive a Community Health Workers degree from NTCC, which would then transfer to A&M Commerce, where the student could pursue a Bachelor’s degree, and then even further into a Master’s degree, as well. Kelly said that all 60 hours from NTCC would transfer to Commerce, and that Commerce had actually approached her about partnering with NTCC, after having talked to business who had employed NTCC Community Health workers degree. The board unanimously approved this addition to the college’s degree plans. Both of the proposed new degree plans would fall in the School of Health Sciences.

With no real estate transactions or business for executive session, the board adjourned until their next regular meeting, to be held in March.