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KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS ANNUAL RETREAT

*** Meeting Was Conducted in Person and Videoconference *** Thursday, August 6, 2026 9:00 a.m. EST Franklin County Health Department 851 East-West Connector Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

MINUTES

*****

1. Call to Order

The Board of Regent's Chair, Regent Tammi Dukes, called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m.

2. Roll Call

The Board's Secretary, Nicole Sergent, called the roll:

Regent Tammi Dukes

Regent Edward Fields

Present

Regent Matthew Grimshaw

Not Present

Regent Edward Hatchett

Regent Jason Moseley

Regent Charles Moyer

Regent Jonathan Rabinowitz

Present

Present (later videoconference)

Present

Regent Robert Ramsey, Sr.

Regent James Obielodan

Not Present

Present

Regent Joan "Toni" Stringer Present (Appeared later in person)

Six (6) Regents were in attendance and present at roll call. A quorum was therefore established. Regent Moseley later joined by videoconference, and Regent Stringer later joined in person.

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3. State of the University – Key Performance Indicators.

Chair Dukes spoke briefly and turned it over to Dr. Koffi Akakpo.

A. Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, President.

Dr. Akakpo provided a brief overview of the past year at Kentucky State University. He acknowledged that the University experienced a challenging year marked by campus safety incidents and concerns regarding the institution's future. Despite those challenges, he noted there was much to celebrate throughout the year.

B. Dr. Michael D. Dailey, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Dr. Dailey highlighted several accomplishments, including:

The largest graduating class in University history.

Seven of the last 10 commencement valedictorians being student-athletes, including both the valedictorian and salutatorian in 2026.

A third-place finish in a national supply chain competition.

Recognition as a National Bee Campus.

Carnegie recognition as the third-largest research-producing institution and third-largest research revenue-generating institution in Kentucky.

Development of the state's largest land reclamation project in Martin County.

Creation of a hay testing laboratory in Barren County that has expanded services to 14 additional counties.

Additional academic achievements included:

Launch of five new market-driven academic programs.

Growth in student internships from 89 to 109 in one year.

Continued progress of the engineering program, with its first undergraduate and graduate graduates expected in Spring 2027.

Implementation of the 4+1 accelerated degree initiative.

Participation in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR Program serving approximately 40 students.

Opportunities for Kentucky State University to further explore a polytechnic educational model and the potential benefits to students and workforce outcomes.

Regent Moyer asked questions regarding international opportunities, which were

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addressed by Dr. Dailey and Dr. Akakpo.

Dr. Akakpo discussed enrollment challenges and reported that the University did not meet its enrollment target of 3,500 students. Fall enrollment reached approximately 2,800 students, rose to approximately 2,900 students during the spring semester, and concluded the year at 2,838 students. He noted that external factors, including Senate Bill 185 and recent institutional challenges, impacted enrollment performance.

Dr. Akakpo further stated that the University's new Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, Mr. Adam A. Smith, would develop a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management Plan.

Chair Dukes asked whether enrollment goals should be reassessed in light of Senate Bill 185. Dr. Akakpo responded to the question.

4. Election of Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

Chair Dukes opened nominations for Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Regent Fields nominated Regent Tammi Dukes to continue serving as Chair. Regent Dukes accepted the nomination.

Regent Fields nominated Regent Edward Hatchett to serve as Vice Chair. Regent Hatchett accepted the nomination.

Chair Dukes noted that the Board has traditionally appointed the Chief Financial Officer as Treasurer and the General Counsel as Secretary. She asked whether the Board wished to make any changes to that practice.

Board members expressed support for maintaining the current arrangement.

Chair Dukes summarized the proposed slate of officers as follows:

Regent Tammi Dukes, Chair

Regent Edward Hatchett, Vice Chair

Dr. Heather Bigard, Treasurer

Ms. Nicole Sergent, Secretary

Regent Obielodan moved to approve the slate of nominees. Regent Fields seconded the motion. There were no objections, and the motion passed.

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5. SACSCOC Update.

Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), provided an accreditation update.

Dr. Pruitt reviewed the Commission's guiding priorities:

Students First, Always

Strengthening Trust and Transparency

Modernizing Processes While Maintaining Rigor

Supporting Innovation and Workforce Alignment

Positioning the Commission as the Gold Standard

He discussed accreditation purposes, including quality assurance, standards compliance, and the Commission's gatekeeping responsibilities, as well as the characteristics of accreditation and the reaffirmation process.

Dr. Pruitt also reviewed the proposed Accreditation Innovation Modernization (AIM) regulations, including areas of alignment and potential misalignment.

Additional topics included:

Workforce initiatives

Reduced-credit-hour degree programs

Credit transfer consortium efforts

Proposed revisions to accreditation standards

Elimination of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Potential changes to accreditation review cycles

Regents Fields, Obielodan, Hatchett, and Moyer asked questions and provided comments throughout the discussion.

Dr. Pruitt concluded by encouraging the University to leverage its data, identify a unique niche, embrace its HBCU heritage, and continue making sound strategic decisions.

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6. Swearing-in of New Regent.

Secretary Nicole Sergent administered the oath of office to Mr. Kylan Richard, President of the Student Government Association, who will serve as the student representative on the Board of Regents.

7. Board Governance Training.

Ms. Rose Mercier of Governance Coach, Inc. provided governance training to the Board.

Topics included:

Policy Governance Overview

Evolution of Governance Models

Framework for Board Effectiveness

Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees

Policy Governance versus Traditional Governance

Risk Management

Board Accountability

Presidential Evaluation

Effective Delegation

Chair Dukes facilitated discussion regarding the Board's current governance position and future aspirations. Regents Rabinowitz and Hatchett provided comments regarding where they believed the Board currently falls along the governance continuum.

Ms. Mercier concluded with recommendations for effective governance and reflections on Board leadership.

8. Title IX Training.

Ms. Stephanie Carpenter, HR Manager and Interim Title IX Coordinator, presented an overview of Title IX and its significance from a governance perspective.

She discussed:

Protection against sex discrimination and harassment

• Maintaining campus trust and institutional reputation

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Risk mitigation and federal funding compliance

Appropriate Regent responses when receiving complaints

Governance oversight responsibilities

Privacy and confidentiality considerations

Ms. Carpenter concluded with a compliance review and emphasized that reports should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator rather than the President.

Regent Obielodan and Chair Dukes asked questions regarding Title IX procedures and reporting mechanisms, including discussion of a new reporting hotline.

9. Update on Asset Preservation & Capital Construction Initiatives.

Mr. Jack McNear, Associate Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities Management, provided an update on campus construction and renovation projects.

Projects discussed included:

Chandler Hall Renovation ($8.9 million)

Academic Services Building Roof and Window Replacement ($2 million)

Bradford Hall Renovation

McCullin Hall Exterior and Window Renovation ($2.4 million)

Campus Pavement Improvements ($3 million)

Exum Center Exterior Renovation ($1.36 million)

Shauntee Hall Engineering Facility Renovation ($15.68 million)

Campus Door Access Project ($1.5 million)

Betty White Hall Renovation ($2.85 million)

Carver Hall Polytechnic Building Project ($22.5 million)

The HALL Innovation Center Renovation ($22.5 million)

Mr. McNear also discussed plans for enhanced campus access control, including a secured south entrance utilizing card-swipe technology.

Chair Dukes asked several questions regarding construction timelines, parking improvements, campus security, and future development plans.

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10. Expanding KSU Outreach: Cooperative Extension Across the Commonwealth.

A. Dr. Avinish Tope, Associate Dean and Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Dr. Tope provided an overview of Cooperative Extension programs and services throughout Kentucky.

Highlights included:

Service delivery in partnership with the University of Kentucky across all 120 counties.

Research and technical assistance supporting farmers, families, youth, and communities.

Kentucky State University's nationally recognized focus on small-scale and limited-resource farmers.

Growth of the hay testing laboratory in Barren County.

Expanded opportunities for collaborative grant-funded research with other institutions.

Dr. Tope discussed priorities relating to stakeholder engagement, research integration, public awareness, and community partnerships.

B. Dr. Tyrell Kahan, Associate Extension Administrator.

Dr. Kahan discussed funding sources, departmental operations, and program outcomes.

Highlights included:

More than 234,000 contacts statewide during calendar year 2025, representing a 47% increase from 2024.

Training and engagement of more than 3,000 youth participants.

- Continued success of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Small Farms Grant Program, which has distributed more than $5 million since 2012.

Upcoming programs include:

Ag Roundup

Urban Growers Program

Tates Creek Middle School Partnership

Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America Summer Camp

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Urban Green Careers Training Program

Small Farms Conference in Eastern Kentucky

11. President's Performance Evaluation/Board of Regents Self-Evaluation.

Chair Dukes reminded Regents to complete and return all required evaluation and disclosure documents, including:

President's Performance Evaluation

Board Self-Evaluation

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Confidentiality Agreement

Chair Dukes asked Regents to review the President's evaluation materials prior to discussion during closed session at the Board meeting the following day.

12. Adjournment.

Chair Dukes made final comments on her re-appointment as Board Chair and expressed appreciation for the Board's continued commitment to the University.

Chair Dukes asked for a motion to adjourn. Regent Fields made the motion, and Regent Stringer seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.

Approved with corrections

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