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KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS REGULAR MEETING

*** Meeting Was Conducted in Person and Videoconference *** Friday, August 7, 2026 10:00 a.m. EST Board of Regents Room Julian M. Carroll Academic Services Building 2nd Floor, 400 East Main Street Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (Primary Physical Location)

MINUTES

*****

1. Call to Order

The Board of Regent's Chair, Regent Tammi Dukes, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

2. Roll Call

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

Regent Tammi Dukes Present Regent Edward Fields Present Regent Matthew Grimshaw Present Regent Edward Hatchett Present Regent Jason Moseley Present Regent Charles Moyer Present Regent Jonathan Rabinowitz Present Regent Robert Ramsey, Sr. Not Present Regent James Obielodan Present Regent Joan "Toni" Stringer Present Regent Kylan Richard Present

Ten (10) Regents were in attendance and present at roll call. A quorum was therefore established.

Chair Dukes noted that agenda approval was not required for this regular meeting and moved the CPE and KSU Collaboration Update forward on the agenda.

3. CPE and KSU Collaboration. Dr. Aaron Thompson, President of Council on Postsecondary Education.

Presenter: Dr. Aaron Thompson, President of CPE.

Key Highlights

• Reviewed collaboration efforts beginning in 2021.
• Noted CPE assistance in securing:
• $23 million loan for KSU, with hopes for future forgiveness by the General Assembly.
• ○ $15 million cash investment for modernization efforts.
• Reported growth in online education to approximately 650 students.
• Discussed audit-related costs and expectation of completing the FY25 audit soon.
• Highlighted over $180 million in state investments since 2022 for infrastructure, including the health sciences building that included:
• ○ $55 million in design funds going towards residence hall renovations.
• $105 million in capital and in dollars of which $5 million went towards refurbishing the online offerings and build out the rest of the polytechnic initiative development.
• Discussed implementation of:
• ○ Polytechnic education model
• Three-year degree options
• ○ Work-based learning partnerships
• ○ Addressed faculty staffing concerns and performance-based funding metrics.
• Regents asked questions regarding:
• Areas of study versus academic programs and majors
• Faculty recruitment and funding
• Performance-based funding outcomes
• Workforce development initiatives

4. Approval of Consent Agenda.

Items Approved:

May 28, 2026 Special Board Meeting Minutes

• June 30, 2026 Special Board Meeting Minutes
• June 12, 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
• June 11, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes (Academic Affairs, Finance and Institutional Advancement, Student Affairs and Athletics committees)
• Southern Foods Contract
• Stratagon Request
• Memorandum of Agreement with Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Motion made by Regent Hatchett for approval and seconded by Regent Stringer for approval of consent agenda items. There were no opposing votes. Motion passed.

5. Information and Action Items.

A. Student Government Association Report (Information Item).

Presenter: Regent Kylan Richard, SGA President

• Emphasized theme: "Honor the Legacy, Lead the Future."
• Focused on:
• Student wellness
• Mental health initiatives
• Alumni engagement and networking
• Fundraising and campus events

B. Institutional Advancement and External Relations. Mr. Michael DeCourcy, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations.

Mr. DeCourcy introduced David King, who is a CFA, Senior Institutional Advisor with Mariner. Because of Mr. King's efforts and the endowment policy that Regent Moyer put together and was approved by the board, it resulted in about $843,000 in support.

Presenter: Mr. David King

• Current strategy:
• Expected long-term return:
• ○ 70% equities
• ○ 30% fixed income/cash
• ○ Approximately 7.75% over the next 10 or 15 years
• Endowment growth:
• ○ Increased from $25 million to $29 million
• ○ Generated approximately $5.6 million in investment gains
• ○ Provided $1.4 million in university support over 18 months
• Regents had questions on market outlook and growth challenges.

C. Education and General Finance & Administration Updates. Dr. Heather Bigard, Vice President of Finance and Administration/CFO.

Presenter: Dr. Heather Bigard.

i. Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Update.

• Audit nearing completion
• Draft Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) received
• ii.ii. Fiscal Year 2026 Education and General Financial Update.

FY 26 Education and General Projection Revenue

• Tuition and Fees: $22.9 million
• Uncollected Debt: $3 million
• Net Tuition and Fees: $13.3 million
• Total Revenue: $41.34 million

FY27 Budget Education and General Revenue

Tuition and Fees: $16.8 million

• Uncollected Debt: $3.02 million
• Net Tuition and Fees: $9.24 million

• Total Revenue: $33.80 million

FY 26 Education and General Expenses

• Salaries and Benefits: 20.82 million
• Operating Expenses: $14.73 million
• Contingency/Transfer: $817,543
• Debt Service: 1.69 million
• Total expenses: $36.37 million
• Net Surplus: 4.96 million

FY 27 Education and General Budget

• Salaries and Benefits: 20 million
• Operating Expenses: $13.37 million
• Contingency/Transfer: $431,669
• Debt Service: 1.33 million
• Total expenses: $33.80 million
• Net Surplus: 0

Education and General Auxiliary Services Budget

• FY26 Revenue Projection: $12.6 million
• FY26 Expenses: $11.6 million
• FY26 Net Surplus: Approximately $931,655
• FY27 Revenue Projection: $10.59 million
• FY27 Expenses: $10.57 million
• FY 27 Net Surplus: $14,465

iii. Capital Projects and Asset Preservation Pool (Action Item).

- Dr. Bigard provided a summary of the documents dating back to FY22, which she will bring before the board each time there is a change in the cost of a project as well as seeking approval from CPE.

Chair Dukes questioned whether the documents were showing how much of a shortfall there is or a surplus. Dr. Bigard and Dr. Akakpo responded. Regent Hatchett also responded.

• Chair Dukes asked for a motion for the approval of the changes. Regent Hatchett made the motion. Regent Fields seconded the motion. No dissenting votes. Motion was passed.
• Dr. Bigard presented graphics containing legislative investment totals approximately 183 million.
• Major projects include:
• ○ Health Sciences Building ($55 million)
• ○ Residence Hall Renovations ($48 million)
• ○ New projects including The Hall and Carver Hall Improvements ($45 million)
• ○ Academic and Administrative Buildings (\$22 million)
• ○ New Chiller Plant
• ○ Several Regents had questions, comments and suggestions.
• Dr. Bigard summarized the Asset Preservation Pool Update, which includes $133.25 million invested in current buildings and infrastructures.
• A voice vote was held on the approval of the Capital Projects and Asset Preservation Pool changes. Each Regent voted yes. Motion was approved and passed.

iv. Approve CNC Machine Purchase (Action Item).

• Dr. Bigard asked for approval of the CNC Machine purchase, a numerical control machine that will be used in the engineering program and installed in Shauntee Hall. This machine will cost $270,465 and come from Title III funds. Regent Fields had a question.
• Chair Dukes asked for a motion for approval of the CNC machine. Regent Hatchett made the motion. Regent Moyer seconded the motion. No nays. The motion was approved and passed.

D. Academic Affairs Update. Dr. Michael Dailey, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs.

Presenter: Dr. Michael Dailey.

○ Reviewed academic transformation efforts initiated in 2023.

Focus areas:

Streamlined degree pathways

○ Student success and retention

○ Online education growth

○ Polytechnic expansion

○ Faculty excellence and development

Academic Growth:

○ Online enrollment increased from 72 to 650 students within 16 months.

○ 67 students graduated through online programs.

Online and Global Education accounted for approximately 87% of enrollment growth, excluding dual-credit students.

Discussion Topics:

• Regents had several questions on the updates.

○ Student-faculty ratios

○ Use of adjunct faculty

Nursing program accreditation requirements

○ Faculty staffing needs

i. Approval of New Academic Programs (Action Item).

- Dr. Dailey asked for approval for the bachelor of science in health sciences. Regent Moyer commented on the request. Chair Dukes asked for a motion for approval of the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Regent Fields made the motion for approval. Regent Moyer seconded the motion.

ii. Approval of Tenure and Promotions (Action Item).

• Dr. Dailey asked for approval of tenure and promotion for eight candidates moving from assistant professor to associate professor set forth in Action Item attached.
• Regents had comments on the approval.
• Regent Obielodan made a motion for approval. Regent Rabinowitz seconded the motion. There were no nays. The motion passed and the candidates were approved.

Regent Obielodan stated that he would like to see an increase for their base salary even if it's only a dollar as recognition for their value. Dr. Akakpo responded. Regent Obielodan responded that he just wanted to put it on the record.

E. Student Affairs Update. Mr. Adam Smith, Interim VP of Enrollment Management and Student Success.

Presenter: Mr. Adam Smith.

The following have moved into the dorms: the football team, the band, the volleyball team, Student Government Association, the Royal Court and the Resident Assistants.

Chair Dukes responded to the update.

• 2026 Fall Enrollment:
• ○ 213 seniors (70 male, 143 female)
• Student population is approximately 64% female and 36% male
• First time freshmen, the figures are 155 females and 157 males. For females, 30 less students than last fall.
• ○ 727 freshmen (327 male, 400 female)
• ○ 265 sophomores (108 male, 157 female)
• ○ 209 juniors (75 male, 134 female)
• ○ 199 graduate students (65 male, 134 female)
• ○ Total enrollment is 1,613. Fall 2025 enrollment was 1,671
• Reported updates on the following:
• ○ Enrollment by state and country
• ○ Top academic programs, with Nursing leading
• Housing occupancy and residence hall operations
• Student well-being initiatives
• Regent Moseley had several questions.
• There are 312 duel-credit students and between 550 and 600 in the residence halls this semester.

6. Closed Session.

- The Board entered into closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1)(c), (f) and (m) to discuss pending litigation, personnel matters that may result in appointments or dismissals for faculty or staff and to discuss records exempted from disclosures under

KRS 61.878(I)(m). Chair Dukes asked for a motion. Motion made by Regent Stringer and seconded by Regent Obielodan. Motion passed with no dissenting votes.

7. Reconvene in open session.

- Chair Dukes asked for a motion to reconvene into open session. Regent Obielodan made the motion to reconvene into open session. Regent Fields seconded the motion. No opposing votes. Motion passed.

8. Approval of President's Employment Contract (Action Item).

Chair Dukes entertained a motion for the presidential contract. Regent Grimshaw made a motion to renew Dr. Akakpo's contract with the three or four edits to the language that has been discussed and proposed and make motion to empower Chair Dukes, as chairperson, with counsel, to finalize the detailed terms of the contract for the effective date of renewing it on the record renewal as of today. Regent Fields seconded the motion. Regent Moseley voted nay. Chair Dukes said the contract is approved pending the related edits. Motion passed.

Regent Moyer said he has a motion that he would like to put on the floor. He said that after a sensitive discussion of faculty and staff compensation over the past decade that he'd like to make a motion to provide a 1,000 one-time performance bonus payment for all full-time faculty and staff members at KSU effective September 1. Motion seconded by Regent Fields. No opposing votes. Chair Dukes said the motion was approved. Motion passed.

• Regent Obielodan thanked the board for approving a one-time performance bonus.

9. Closing remarks.

Chair Dukes made final remarks that:

• Addressed concerns arising from the August 5 Alumni Association meeting.
• Expressed respect for alumni perspectives.
• Reaffirmed confidence in President Akakpo's leadership.
• Highlighted the Board's support for renewing the President's contract.

Emphasized commitment to KSU's future and student success.

10. Adjournment.

Chair Dukes asked for a motion to adjourn. Regent Stringer made the motion. Regent Fields and Moyer seconded the motion. Motion passed.

• Meeting adjourned at 3:54 p.m.

Submitted by:

Signed by: F9BD75AE4304448. Regent Tammi Dukes, Chair Board of Regents Kentucky State University 10/16/2026 | 10:48:40 AM PDT

Nicole Sergent, Secretary Board of Regents

Board of Regents

Kentucky State University

Approved with no corrections

___

Approved with corrections

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS

ACTION ITEM XX

ACTION ITEM:

Approval Tenure and Promotion Candidates

FACTS:

The Tenure and Promotion process was implemented during the 2025-2026 academic year. Currently, there are eight faculty members employed at Kentucky State University that have completed the tenure and promotion process. The their portfolio packages have been reviewed by the unit Tenure and Promotion Committee, the Chair, Dean, the University Tenure and Promotion Committee, the Provost, and then final recommendation to the President.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS:

The approval of the eight candidates will receive tenure status and or promotion. The change in rank is accompanied by an increment in salary.

1. Dr. Dharma Khatiwada – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor
2. Dr. WhitrT – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor
3. Dr. Gussie Ann Lyttle-Burns – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor
4. Dr. Richard Maiti – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor
5. Dr. Patrese Nesbit – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor
6. Dr. Eslam Omar – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor

RECOMMENDATION:

President Koffi Akakpo and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Michael D. Dailey recommend the approval of a change in rank for successfully completing the tenure and promotion process.

7. Dr. Frederick Williams – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor
8. Dr. Clifton Wise – tenure and promotion – change in rank to Associate Professor

MOTION:

As President, I recommend the for consideration and approval, the presented candidates for tenure and promotion.

HIBIT "1"

Academic Affairs