Date/Location:

August 13, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. in the NAC Classroom with Zoom option available.

In Attendance: Wayne Cahoj, Kileene Collins, Douglas Cooley, Trevor Cressman, Cedric Wooledge, Laura Underhill, Sophia Skinner, Neva Parrott, Autumn Collins, Jacy Miller, Sheila Sparks, Marc Hubbell, Brett Becker, Chad Corley, and Kris Brinkerhoff. Zoom participants: Tara Shahan, Barbie Mustion, Tanya Miller, Kimberly Beach, Joshua Gregory, and Rebekah McKinney.

Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve by Douglas Cooley and seconded by Trevor Cressman – motion passed.

Approval of July Meeting Minutes – Motion to approve by Trevor Cressman and seconded by Jacy Miller – motion passed.

Chancellor’s Report

• Enrollment update as of Aug 10:
  • New students headcount is up 13%
  • Transfers and readmits are up 16%
  • Continuing students are down 28%
  • Degree-seeking students are down 6.5%
  • Reach out to students you have connections with and encourage them to come back.
• Budget
  • Too soon to say how FY26 will end but there are many positive signs.
  • Working on one-time revenue:
    • Moving out of Shannon Hall and into Faurot Hall in time for spring 2027 classes.
    • Preparing to advertise the Pennsylvania House for sale.
• Employee Satisfaction
  • The Grizzly Summit was the first faculty/staff professional development event and looking forward to the survey results.
• FYIs
  • Updated Org charts
  • Committee list is close to being completed
• Encouragement
  • Make this the year of engagement:
    • Say Hey – attend meetings in person when possible
    • Show up – out of office activities
    • Reach out – offer aid to others if you see a need
    • Be a host – host family needs for athletic and international students
    • Wear blue – show your Grizzly Pride
• Opportunities
  • Welcome Week activities – encouraged to get involved
  • Ozarks Studies Symposium Sept 17-19
  • Volleyball game vs Mineral Area & the Grizzly Club Picnic – Sept 22
  • Hirsh Feed Grizzly Rodeo Stampede Oct 8-10
  • Friends of the Garnett Library monthly meetings:
    • Sept 11 – Our Best Recruiters: Student Ambassadors
    • Oct 9 – China Honors Exchange
    • Nov 13 – Meet the Coaches
    • Dec 11 – Legislative Session Preview

President’s Report (Lauren Willis)

• No report this month

 President Elect Report (Wayne Cahoj)

• Department Spotlight – Drago College Store
  • The Drago College Store is an auxiliary department under the division of student services. They are a retail college store that supplies students with their course materials, supplies, food, drinks, souvenirs, and Grizzly Gear!
  • Shout out to our awesome Drago College Store for all that they do!

 Secretary Report (Kileene Collins)

• All signed a thank you card that will be sent to the Springfield Staff Senate for their participation in our Grizzly Summit and the goodies they provided to our staff.

 Treasurer Report (Alex Graham)

• No report this month

Department Updates, Announcements, and Committee Updates/Reports

• Committee Reports
  • Activities Committee (Trevor Cressman)
    • Will start meeting again soon. Anyone interested in being a part of the committee or if you have activity ideas, please reach out to Trevor.
• Department Reports
  • Human Resources (Alyssa Collins)
    • Welcome New Full-Time Staff!
      • Mark Fugitt, Campus Coordinator, Mountain Grove
      • Briana Domino, Assistant Volleyball Coach
      • Autumn Collins, Grants and Executive Administrative Coordinator
      • Dakota Sparks, Coordinator of University/Community Programs
      • Ashley Wilson, Student Resource Specialist
    • Grizzly Ambassadors Program
      • We are excited to share with you the opportunity to apply for our sixth cohort of the Grizzly Ambassadors Program. GAP is a joint project of the Faculty Senate and Staff Senate and is a great way to build relationships with your fellow colleagues. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, August 14. For more information and to access the application, please visit the GAP website.
  • OHRC (Rebecca McKinney)
    • Modern Times (Modernity) and the Ozarks – August 13, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.
    • A Road Trip into America’s Hidden Heart – August 25, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Student Life (Douglas Cooley)
    • Welcome Week activities everyday Monday through Thursday and concluding with Convocation on Friday.
    • Intermural sports – open to all students, staff, and faculty.
• Drawing for giveaway winners:
  • Sophia Skinner
  • Neva Parrott

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.