Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

New CCC president optimistic in first meeting

CLOVIS — Charles Nwankwo’s first board of trustees meeting as president at Clovis Community College was a short one, with board members joking they may hold him to that standard.

The trustees met for 20 minutes Wednesday morning at the college, approving a variety of routine items with Nwankwo taking over for Interim President Robin Kuykendall at the trustee table.

Nwankwo thanked Kuykendall for her service, noting “She left the college in a stronger position, and I am pleased for that.”

He reported his initial meetings with staff have been overwhelmingly positive.

“Everyone I’ve met has been so happy to tell me what they do for the college,” Nwankwo said, “and how they see the college moving forward.”

He noted he also had a surprise visit from Jay Gurley, CCC’s first president, and plans to seek his advice on a regular basis.

A reception to welcome Nwankwo is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 16 at the CCC Commons.

“I am surprised at how many places I see this young man,” Trustee Terry Martin said of Nwankwo. “He’s representing not just Clovis Community College, but the city of Clovis as well.”

In other business at the meeting:

• The board approved an agreement of up to 10 years with BBA Corp for bookstore services at the college. The one-year contract has nine optional one-year renewals, with the college guaranteed at least $140,000 in income annually.

Purchasing Agent Corey Isaacs said BBA was the highest scoring company during the request for proposal process the college first started last April.

The college’s current contract with Barnes and Noble, which submitted one of the four proposals, expires at the end of the month.

Trustee Carolyn Spence asked what BBA would do about book prices to dissuade students from buying books online. Isaacs noted BBA will have a price-match policy.

Either party can terminate the deal with 120 days notice.

• Trustees approved the fee structure for the fall 2020 semester. The fees were largely unchanged, except in a handful of welding and cosmetology classes. Executive Vice President Robin Jones said in those cases, the course fee hikes are related to increases in material costs.

• Trustees approved an enterprise resource planning project with Campus Works, Inc., with costs shared between CCC and two other community colleges.

The $648,000 cost is split between CCC, Central New Mexico Community College and Santa Fe Community College, with CCC covering $190,643.61.

Spence asked if CCC would have any financial obligations should the other two schools vote the item down. Isaacs didn’t address that possibility, but said CNM’s board had already approved it and he’d received word SFCC was soon to follow suit.

• The next meeting is set for 8 a.m. April 8 at CCC Room 512.

 
 
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