ARCHBOLD, OHIO – The Northwest State Community College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Friday, October 30th at the Van Wert Campus. After the call to order, two new Board members completed their swearing in ceremonies. Brent Stevens (Ohio City / Van Wert County) and Kevin Whitlock (West Unity / Williams County) were both sworn in after recently being appointed to the NSCC Board of Trustees by Governor DeWine. Their terms began September 4, 2026 and will run through June 9, 2032.
OHIO ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES PRESENTATION
Avi Zaffini, President & CEO at the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) provided a state perspective to the Board of Trustees as part of the Board meeting. Zaffini shared state-level initiatives, including how community colleges are uniquely positioned to not only support, but drive economic development through hands-on education and training. Zaffini noted he has a goal to visit all 22 community colleges’ Board of Trustees meetings to provide similar updates, and to provide support to each college’s mission to serve their communities.
EMERITUS RECIPIENTS CONFIRMED
As part of the Board meeting, the Board also approved Emeritus Status for Greg Tefft, and Julie Curry. Both Tefft and Curry will be formally recognized during a dinner ceremony held prior to Fall Commencement on Monday, December 14th. NSCC enacted an Emeritus policy in 2013 to recognize individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to the College and to the community.
ESTABLISHING NEW VETERAN’S SCHOLARSHIP
During the meeting, the Board also approved the establishment of a Veteran’s Scholarship, to cover out-of-state tuition costs for veterans and their immediate family members who attend NSCC. NSCC currently has approximately 320 student-veterans pursuing coursework, credentialing, certificates and/or associate degrees.
In other Board action:
• Approved the promotion of Facilities Technician for Jade Sheets, and of Human Resources Manager for Aimee Thorpe.
• Approved the employment of Patrick Kroetz as Training Coordinator-Mechanical Fluid & Power (Fostoria), and Adam Glore as Maintenance Technician, as well as the transition to Faculty-Math for Marianna Doolittle.
• Approved a tuition increase, effective spring 2027 semester, from $207.33 to $217.33 for in-state students, and from $201.33 to $211.33 for out-of-state students (out-of-state students pay both in-state and out-of-state tuition fees totaling $428.66.)
• Approved using scholarship funds to offset the cost of the $10 per credit hour increase, so as to not pass the expense on to the learners.
• Approved the 2026 Affordability & Efficiency Report (textbook affordability / House Bill 49).
• Approved the completion of the General Education Core Curriculum Review (Amended Substitute House Bill 96 of the 136th General Assembly)
• Accepted miscellaneous gifts from Danfoss Power Solutions, of lab equipment and educational supplies to the Van Wert Campus.
• Approved curriculum changes to three courses: CIV120, MTH132 and MEA207.
• Approved three resignations and one termination, plus miscellaneous employment contracts.
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Northwest State Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served northwest Ohio since 1969. Northwest State is committed to providing a quality, affordable education with personal attention and small class sizes. The College offers associate degrees with numerous transfer options, short-term certificate programs, and workforce training programs designed to meet the needs of local businesses and industries. For more information, visit NorthwestState.edu or call 419.267.5511.
